Adress: Cobos 8260, Luján deCuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Country: Argentina
internet: http://www.belascomalbec.com
Wine district: Mendoza
wines
ass through the stately gates of Belasco de Baquedano, down a long, smooth dirt driveway that stretches between the vineyards and up to the massive front door of the stunning modern Mayan-style five-story building.
Once inside, the tasting lounge beckons, the wood bar framed by oversized portraits of Argentine landscapes. Private tastings are offered upstairs in a glass-walled room overlooking the vineyards and the magnificent Andes soaring to the west, at a custom table outfitted with individual sinks and glass racks at each seat.
In this state-of-the-art facility, everything gleams, from red lacquered concrete floors throughout, to shiny stainless steel tanks, to burnished oak barrels that rest behind brick arched windows.
The high-tech set-up is designed as much for function as it is for "wow" factor. Only one cellar worker is required during non-harvest seasons, and a few during harvest, thanks to conveniences such as mechanical steam barrel washers, small lot sorters and destemmers, and individually pumped tanks. As modern design website Build LLC describes the ambience, "The spaces are stark and almost monastic in their simplicity and minimalism. When not in use, the immense empty rooms are cleaned to perfection."
Other modern techniques include refrigerated grape chambers, gravity-driven grape delivery from sorting table to tank, delestage, and a temperature- and humidity-controlled lounge for bottle storage.
