Achaval Ferrer is on Cobos 2601, Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo. The winery was founded in 1998 with a clear goal: make the best possible wine from Argentina’s old ungrafted vines.
What sets Achaval Ferrer apart is their focus on single-vineyard Malbecs. Each bottle comes from a specific plot, and the differences between them are noticeable. Finca Altamira, Finca Bella Vista and Finca Mirador are their flagship labels. They also produce Quimera, a blend that’s easier to find and a good introduction to the winery’s style.
The ungrafted vines are a big deal. Most wine regions in the world lost their original rootstock to phylloxera in the 19th century, but much of Mendoza was spared. Achaval Ferrer works with some of these surviving old vines, which tend to produce smaller quantities of more concentrated fruit.
Visits are by appointment. The tasting focuses on their single-vineyard wines, and the staff walks you through the differences between each terroir. It’s a smaller operation, so the experience feels more personal than at the larger Luján de Cuyo wineries.
The winery is about 30 minutes south of Mendoza city. We include it in our Luján de Cuyo wine tours, usually combined with two or three other wineries in the Perdriel area.
