Bodega Benegas History

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Oswin Charles
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Bodega Benegas History In the early 1880s, the Province of Mendoza faced an economic crisis: wheat and alfalfa, the region s major source of revenue, were being undercut by nearby regions using less

In what turned out to be a visionary break from tradition, Mendoza farmer Don Tiburcio Benegas decided to seek out crops that were well suited to the area but not planted anywhere else.

1 Bodega Benegas History In the early 1880s, the Province of Mendoza faced an economic crisis: wheat and alfalfa, the region s major source of revenue, were being undercut by nearby regions using less expensive farming methods. In what turned out to be a visionary break from tradition, Mendoza farmer Don Tiburcio Benegas decided to seek out crops that were well suited to the area but not planted anywhere else. At the time, with 1,250 acres planted to grapevines that were producing well, Don Benegas believed that the province could become a major supplier of wine to Argentina. Initially, he travelled to nearby Chile to source vine stock but ultimately concluded that vinifera varieties from Bordeaux were preferable and brought 1,000s of vines to Mendoza. While most of his countrymen were skeptical of these efforts, a number of fellow agrarians supported his vision and planted the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec vines that he shared with them. In a stroke of extraordinary good fortune, Don Benegas obtained the vines just before the French region was struck with the devastating phylloxera blight that destroyed over 40% of the vineyards. In fact, when the French determined that grafting was the method to repopulate the vineyards with disease resistant vines, they traveled to Mendoza to obtain cuttings. By the end of the 19 th century, Argentina had over 5,000 acres planted with French varieties. Don Benegas founded El Trapiche winery in 1883 the estate vineyard named Finca Libertad which would become Argentina s largest wine producer, topping seven million liters per year. Like Agoston Haraszthy in California and Silvestre Ochagavia in Chile, Don Tiburcio is considered to be the father of the Argentina wine industry. In May of 1951, Federico Benegas Lynch, the first of six great grandchildren of Don Benegas, was born on the family farm. He and his brothers and sisters were raised in the idyllic countryside and worked by performing small but useful tasks that contributed to the operation of the winery. However, in 1971, the winery began to suffer financially: assets needed to be sold off. The business could not support additional family members, so at age 20, Federico set off for Buenos Aires, where he financed his education at the Catholic University of Buenos Aires by parking cars, painting houses, delivering packages and other unskilled work. After earning a degree as an Operation Research Analyst in 1976, Benegas entered the world of finance, eventually with business partners establishing a regional bank. At the same time, he returned to the homestead frequently to help his 80 year old father with winery operations.

2 While the continuing financial decline of the winery during the 70s and 80s depressing Federico, the complete failure of the family business in the early 90s broke his heart. The entire enterprise was decimated: winery fixtures were sold and the building demolished; the land was parceled into lots, the vineyards everything were sold to disparate buyers. But in 1995, the investment firm that had purchased the 115 year old, 100 acre Finca Libertad, put the property up for sale. Federico sold his shares in the bank to reclaim this part of his family heritage. All of the vines are original to the property, with no clones or grafts. Thanks to the vision of his ancestor, the cabernet franc vines on Finca Libertad are some of if not the oldest in the entire country. The year 2000 marked Bodega Benegas inaugural vintage with enologists from Château Lynch Badges and Château Pichon Baron assisting Federico in the next chapter of his family s heritage. In the ensuing years, Michel Rolland, enologists from Harlan Estate and Paul Hobbs have collaborated with Federico to create wines that are a pure expression of Mendoza.

The Vineyards Finca Libertad The 100 acre Finca Libertad, established in the early 1800s, is an extraordinary treasure: all of the vines are planted on their own root: there are no clones and no

Cabernet Sauvignon was added in 1927, followed by Sangiovese (1930); Syrah (1951); Malbec (1960) and Merlot (1962).

The micro region is characterized by an optimum daily range of temperature: the end of the summer and beginning of autumn, days are warm which enables a correct ripening of the cabernet sauvignon but

3 The Vineyards Finca Libertad The 100 acre Finca Libertad, established in the early 1800s, is an extraordinary treasure: all of the vines are planted on their own root: there are no clones and no grafted vines: the grapes produced are a pure expression of the varieties. Pre phylloxera Cabernet Franc was planted in 1888 and is one of the oldest vineyards with the variety in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon was added in 1927, followed by Sangiovese (1930); Syrah (1951); Malbec (1960) and Merlot (1962). In 1999 and 2002, some parcels were replanted by layering and Petit Verdot was added. Located in the High Bank of Mendoza River in Cruz de Piedra, Maipu Department at 2,780 feet above sea level. The micro region is characterized by an optimum daily range of temperature: the end of the summer and beginning of autumn, days are warm which enables a correct ripening of the cabernet sauvignon but nights are quite cold. The cold air of the mountain goes down by the river blank and spreads on the zone close to the river and this grants one of the best daily range temperatures of Argentina. This produces grapes with a great concentration, ripe tannins and a correct acidity, giving as a result elegant and balanced wines with sweet tannins and full body. Besides the benefit of the climate, the soils have huge quantities of pebbles, gravel and clay the vineyard used to be part of the Mendoza River bed which stresses the vines. Flood irrigation encourages the roots to extend 16 feet deep in search of water and nutrients.

The vines are planted at a density of 2200 per acre and all are trellised vertically with the exception of the Syrah which is parallel. All of the low vines are protected with mesh against hail.

4 The vines are planted at a density of 2200 per acre and all are trellised vertically with the exception of the Syrah which is parallel. All of the low vines are protected with mesh against hail. The combination of old vines, climate and soil in this heritage vineyard yields unique fruit which is why wines from Bodega Benegas are distinctive. Finca La Encerrada In 2010, with the popularity of Bodegas Benegas growing exponentially, Federico Benegas Lynch purchased a 175 acre vineyard, 4,760 feet above sea level, in the Gualtallary district in Tupungato, located in the Uco Valley. Land here is highly prized for soils and a climate that produce stellar Malbec grapes. The soil is composed of a thin layer of sand under which is clay and stone. Combined with a desert climate with 300 days of sun with optimal temperature fluctuations, the vineyards are assured of balanced development of poliphenols and acidity which lend freshness and elegance to the wines. Initially the vineyard consisted of 50 acres of Malbec eight years of age, along with smaller plantings of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. In 2012, 50 more acres were planted to Malbec to keep up with the demand.

Rather than employ chemical analysis of the grapes as so many wineries do, Federico performs a sensory evaluation of the grapes and the seeds to determine when to harvest.

5 Winemaking Only grapes from Finca Libertad and Finca Encerrada are used for the production of Benegas Lynch and Benegas Estate wines. With a thorough knowledge of the terroir and strict quality control, Federico and his team are able to maintain a distinct style and homogeneity. Rather than employ chemical analysis of the grapes as so many wineries do, Federico performs a sensory evaluation of the grapes and the seeds to determine when to harvest. All fruit is hand harvested using small, 40 pound boxes. Upon arrival at the winery, the fruit is checked for temperature and, if need be, sent to a temperature controlled holding area before delivery to the manual selection tables where leaves, rotten berries and foreign material are removed. Depending on the variety, the grapes are then transferred to concrete tanks to start fermentation and maceration processes or to one of the four basket presses for crushing. Typically, a cold maceration is performed to extract aromas, followed by warming the tanks to 75 F then adding selected yeasts. Depending on the type of wine, traditional maceration will last two to four weeks.

The winery Concurrent with the purchase of Finca Libertad in 1999, Federico Bengas Lynch purchased a winery that had been built in 1901 by the Governor of Mendoza, Agustin Alvarez.

6 The winery Concurrent with the purchase of Finca Libertad in 1999, Federico Bengas Lynch purchased a winery that had been built in 1901 by the Governor of Mendoza, Agustin Alvarez. Located in Lujan de Cuyo at the base of the Silver Mountains, the property is 20 minutes to the south of Mendoza City. One of the few remaining relics of old Mendoza, the adobe clad building was in a great state of disrepair and Federico embarked on a five year restoration and modernization project. One of the most vexing jobs was repair of the adobe that, because of seismic activity in the region, had been outlawed as a building material decades ago. Hence, experienced craftsmen are rare. Federico initially hired a local company that boasted experience but proved to be inept at combining the proper proportions of sand, clay, water and straw which crumbled shortly after installation. He finally found the experience he needed in rural Mexico where adobe buildings are still constructed. Eighty original concrete tanks, ranging from 2,000 to 20,000 liters were restored and retrofitted with heating and cooling elements. Total capacity of the winery is 800,000 liters which, given the steady demand for the wines, should be reached in a few years. Caves 26 feet below the winery accommodate storage of 1, liter barrels and 120,000 bottles. Temperatures naturally vary between 52 F and 62 F annually with humidity maintained between 60 and 70%.

The winery features an opulent reception room 260 by 30 feet with a 100 foot long table for tasting or dining and an enormous barbecue that can accommodate ½ a steer.

7 The winery features an opulent reception room 260 by 30 feet with a 100 foot long table for tasting or dining and an enormous barbecue that can accommodate ½ a steer. The walls are adorned with a vast collection of antique, hand made ponchos, many of which were gifts to Federico s ancestors: one of his favorite treasures is one worn by General Julio Roca, the Custer of Argentina, who served two terms as the country s president. While the Province of Mendoza wishes to designate the structure as a historic landmark, Benegas Lynch is discouraging the effort due to the use and maintenance restrictions that would accompany the title.

I and my team commit all our expertise to the task of enhancing the expression of this magnificent terroir. Our motto: Heaven and Earth at Laroze

I and my team commit all our expertise to the task of enhancing the expression of this magnificent terroir. Our motto: Heaven and Earth at Laroze My name is Guy Meslin, I am born in 1957; I spent my childhood at that beautiful place of Laroze. I am married with Caroline; we have two boys born in 2001 and 2004. I have a real passion to manage this