Chile’s Huneeus family has joined forces with one of Argentina’s oldest and finest wine families to create a unique Malbec from Mendoza’s best old-fine high-altitude vineyards, merging the influence of land and man from both sides of the Andes Mountains.

The Partnership
Legendary vintner Agustin Huneeus has partnered with Carlos Pulenta, a third generation vintner of Mendoza’s Pulenta family, and winemaker Alvaro Espinoza to produce Cruz Andina Malbec, his first proprietary wine from Argentina. The partnership combines Agustin Huneeus long quest to produce unique wines from special places, along with Carlos Pulenta’s vast knowledge with Malbec and his inside vision of the Mendoza appellations. Alvaro collaborates with Cruz Andina in every aspect of the wine, from site selection and canopy mangment in the vineyard to determining the final blend.

The Wine
Cruz Andina is a Malbec based blend that represents the unique character of high altitude and old vines from Mendoza. The wine expresses Malbec’s exceptional concentration with a soft, supple texture. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Bonarda are blended for complexity, structure and delicate mouthfeel. The old-vine fruit, Alvaro Espinoza’s minimalist approach to winemaking and sensibility for elegant wines were the perfect fit for the style of Malbec we desired to produce.

The Vineyards
Cruz Andina Malbec comes primarily from the Pulenta Vistalba vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. These vines are some of the oldest in Mendoza, planted in 1948, and are situated at about 3200 feet in altitude in the Lujan de Cuyo appellation. The combination of vine age and the fact that the vines themselves are original Malbec plant materials give them a quality and character that is unique to this special region. Additional Malbec, along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon come from the Los Alamos vineyard in Uco Valley, an appellation just south of Lujan de Cuyo 80 miles from the city of Mendoza. The Los Alamos vines are 25-years old and at an altitude of nearly 4,000 feet above sea level. The area’s amplitude, well-draining alluvial soils and constant breeze from the Andes moderates growth and provides intensity and concentration in the grapes.