OUR VINEYARDS
Alpamanta, along with its vineyards, is located at 950 meters above sea level (3116 ft) in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, in the province of Mendoza; First Wine Region of Argentina. It is a completely biodynamic terroir of 35 hectares (86 acres) in an arid climate with 340 days of sunshine a year. The irrigation system is drip and supplied by pure water from the melting ice of the Andes.
Soils
Our vineyard is on carefully selected land at 950 meters above sea level (3116 ft). These soils are a combination of textures, such as sand, clay and silt and with the presence of subsurface limestone.
Our agricultural practices are focused on respecting the soil and its biodiversity, helping the ecosystem to remain in balance.
Climate
The province of Mendoza has ideal conditions for the production of organic wines, since it is a desert with almost 340 days of sun and an average rainfall of 220mm (8 inches) per year.
We use drip irrigation to water our plants and thus contribute to water conservation.
Our climate is characterized by warm summers and at night temperatures drop considerably, generating a thermal amplitude that reaches almost 20°C (68°F) or more.
Altitude
“Alpamanta is located at an elevation of between 920 to 970masl (3,018 – 3182 ft), in the foothill plains, with slopes of approximately 3%, which facilitates air drainage. This contributes to a breeze effect, generating permanently wind circulation, which translates into higher quality grapes.“
Sustainability
ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE
Alpamanta has organic and biodynamic vineyards. Biodynamic agriculture establishes a balance between the 4 realms (fundamental actors) being soil, plants, animals and people, determining balanced ecosystems, resulting in a healthy development of agriculture.
Preparations
Our agriculture employs preparations for different purposes. At Alpamanta we produce our own biodynamic preparations that work in the ecosystem in different ways. They are based on a concentrated combination of medicinal herbs, minerals and compounds from parts of animal origin, which provides vitality, fertility and strength to our vineyards.
The biodynamic calendar, based on astronomical rhythms, is a simple tool that indicates energy availability, highlighting the sense of observation in our vineyards as used by original farmers to grow their crops.
Compost
The Compost is a key part in circularity within biodynamics, where we are primarily responsible for the waste we generate.
Therefore, the pomace, from winemaking, as well as the manure from our animals and the remains of our green coverage complete their circle in the construction of our compost piles that result as our organic fertilizer.
Green Coverage
A central issue within biodynamic agriculture is soil regeneration, therefore the management of the green coverage that grows throughout our vineyards helps to avoid soil compaction, generating organic matter, fixing nitrogen, adding plant and animal species, retaining humidity and avoiding soil desertification. They also add colors and aromas that complement the energetic characteristics of our ecosystem.
Bio-lake
We have the largest bio-lake in South America. This natural water reservoir stores water for irrigation, contributing to the biodiversity of our plants that regenerate the water, keeping it healthy.
Orchard
Our organic and biodynamic orchard is a key resource to be able to produce all the botanicals necessary for our preparations, in addition to enriching the ecosystem that surrounds us. We have Horsetail, Chamomile, Yarrow, Dandelion, Lavender, Nettle, Valerian, Wormwood, Rosemary, Celery, Curry plant and various vegetable and fruit species for consumption within our farm.
Animals
In biodynamic agriculture, animals play a key role in farm management, where they not only contribute biodiversity to our ecosystem, but their manure serves as natural fertilizer, helping in pest control and in rotational grazing. Therefore, we have cows, rabbits, roosters, chickens, geese, sheep and rams in our farm.
Our Certifications
Since the beginning we have been working certifications, providing transparency and reliability to the production of grapes and wines. This is why we select international entities as regulators of our production.
