San Juan: Syrah and fortified wines in the Andes
From the sun-soaked valleys at the foothills of the Andes, San Juan offers bold reds and rich fortified wines, making it a unique wine destination.
Great wine comes from bold hearts and a strong sense of place.
- Unknown
San Juan: Argentina’s bold and fortified wines
Nestled at the southern tip of Argentina, Patagonia is a region where the windswept vineyards thrive in a cool climate, giving birth to some of the most elegant wines in the country. The harsh climate and unique terroir create wines with incredible finesse and complexity, from crisp whites to rich reds. Known for its emphasis on quality and the preservation of natural freshness, Patagonia’s wines are increasingly recognized on the international stage.
The cooler climate of Patagonia, which benefits from its proximity to the Southern Ocean and the Andes mountain range, allows for slow ripening and the development of wines that are both refined and expressive. The region is particularly famed for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which thrive in the fresh, sunny days and cool nights, allowing these varieties to develop a distinct character, often marked by minerality and bright acidity. Patagonia’s signature red wine, Malbec, also takes on a new identity in this cool-climate region, offering a more restrained, nuanced expression compared to other Argentine regions.
Explore the famous sub-regions of San Juan
Pedernal Valley & Tulum Valley: The Gems of San Juan
San Juan is defined by its bold, expressive wines, and two sub-regions stand out for their exceptional terroir and quality: Pedernal Valley and Tulum Valley. These valleys not only offer unique growing conditions but also bring distinct flavors to the wines that originate here, showcasing the diversity of San Juan’s wine potential.
🍇 Pedernal Valley – Located in the western part of San Juan, Pedernal Valley is renowned for its cool climate, higher altitudes, and mineral-rich soils, making it ideal for producing Syrah. The valley benefits from the cooling influence of the Andes, which allows for slower ripening, preserving acidity and enhancing the wine’s structure. Pedernal Syrah wines are deep, spicy, and complex, with notes of dark fruit, herbs, and a hint of earthiness. The region is also home to other reds like Malbec and Bonarda, each with a distinctive patter of richness and elegance.
🍇 Tulum Valley – Tulum Valley, located slightly to the southeast, is a key region for red wine production in San Juan. The hot, dry climate here, combined with its deep alluvial soils, provides perfect conditions for growing robust varieties like Malbec and Bonarda. Wines from Tulum Valley are full-bodied with intense fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and a smooth finish. Tulum also excels in fortified wines, which reflect the region's strong winemaking tradition and its capacity to produce powerful yet harmonious wines.
The grapes behind San Juan's renowned wines
Syrah, Malbec, Bonarda: The Backbone of San Juan’s Wines
San Juan is home to some of the most iconic grape varieties in Argentina, each contributing to the region's bold and expressive wine profile. Syrah, Malbec, and Bonarda thrive in the region’s hot, sunny climate, producing wines that are rich, structured, and full of character. These varieties are the backbone of San Juan’s wine identity, and their versatility makes them ideal for a variety of wine styles, from deep reds to fortified wines.
🍇 Syrah – Syrah is the crown jewel of San Juan, flourishing in the warm conditions of both Pedernal and Tulum valleys. The grape yields wines that are deep, full-bodied, and complex, with spicy flavors and intense dark fruit characteristics. Known for its powerful structure and aging potential, Syrah from San Juan is often characterized by bold tannins and aromatic layers of blackberries, black pepper, and hints of earthy undertones.
🍇 Malbec – While Malbec is celebrated throughout Argentina, San Juan offers a unique take on this classic variety. Malbec from San Juan is known for its richness and bold fruit flavors, yet it remains balanced with bright acidity. Expect flavors of dark plum, blackberries, and subtle spices with a smooth finish. San Juan Malbecs are perfect for those who enjoy a fuller-bodied wine with both depth and approachability.
🍇 Bonarda – Bonarda has emerged as one of San Juan’s signature varieties, prized for its ability to produce wines with both freshness and richness. The grape produces wines that are fruit-forward with flavors of red berries, cherries, and plums, complemented by soft tannins and moderate acidity. Bonarda from San Juan is versatile and can range from young, vibrant wines to more structured, aged expressions.
Discover the notable producers of San Juan
Bodegas Callia & Graffigna: Icons of San Juan Winemaking
San Juan is home to some of Argentina’s most important and respected wineries, known for their commitment to quality, innovation, and the preservation of the region’s rich winemaking heritage. Two producers stand out in San Juan: Bodegas Callia and Graffigna, both of which have played a key role in elevating the region’s wines on the global stage.
🍇 Bodegas Callia – Bodegas Callia is one of the leading wineries in San Juan, known for its high-quality wines that reflect the diverse terroirs of the region. Established in the early 2000s, Callia has quickly become a recognized name, particularly for its Syrah and Malbec. The winery is situated in the Pedernal Valley, where it benefits from the cool climate and mineral-rich soils, allowing it to produce wines with depth, elegance, and exceptional aging potential. Callia’s commitment to sustainability and modern winemaking techniques ensures that its wines are both innovative and reflective of San Juan’s unique character.
🍇 Graffigna – Founded in 1870, Graffigna is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Argentina, with a deep-rooted tradition in San Juan. The winery is particularly well-known for its Syrah, Malbec, and Bonarda, producing wines that showcase the region’s bold character and the exceptional quality of its grapes. Graffigna’s wines are rich and structured, with a focus on intense flavors and complexity. The winery continues to be a major player in the region, combining traditional winemaking practices with cutting-edge technology to create wines that are both timeless and modern.
Explore the famous vintages of San Juan
San Juan has produced several remarkable vintages that have defined the region’s reputation for bold, full-bodied wines with excellent aging potential. The following vintages are particularly celebrated for their balance, richness, and long-lasting flavors.
📅 2012 – A standout vintage for Syrah, 2012 produced wines with great structure and depth. The Syrah from this year shows a powerful expression of dark fruit, spices, and a touch of earthiness, with tannins that have softened over time while maintaining their bold character. The 2012 Malbecs from San Juan are also noteworthy, offering vibrant fruit flavors balanced by the wine’s firm structure and bright acidity.
📅 2015 – A year marked by optimal growing conditions, 2015 yielded wines with exceptional concentration and elegance. Syrah from this vintage is intense and rich, with ripe berry flavors and subtle spice notes, while maintaining the characteristic freshness and balance that San Juan is known for. Malbec and Bonarda from 2015 are also exceptional, with full-bodied flavors and a smooth, silky finish that makes them approachable yet capable of aging.
📅 2018 – One of the most recent standout vintages from San Juan, 2018 benefited from ideal weather conditions, allowing the grapes to develop complex flavors while retaining vibrant acidity. The 2018 Syrah is expressive, with rich flavors of blackberries, pepper, and herbs, supported by soft tannins. The 2018 Malbecs are deep and fruit-forward, with a nice structure and balance that promises excellent aging potential. This vintage is widely regarded as a great example of San Juan’s ability to produce wines of both power and finesse.
Store your San Juan wines at the perfect temperature
Explore our wine coolers →
Present your San Juan wine collection with style
Find your perfect wine rack here →
San Juan: A region of bold reds and fortified wines
San Juan, Argentina's second-largest wine-producing region, is renowned for its bold reds and fortified wines. Situated in the shadow of the Andes, San Juan’s diverse terroirs and sunny, dry climate make it the perfect home for full-bodied wines that express intensity, depth, and complexity. While the region may not receive the same global attention as Mendoza, its unique qualities and distinct styles of wine are increasingly becoming a favorite among wine enthusiasts and collectors.
The role of terroir in San Juan’s winemaking
San Juan's terroir plays a crucial role in defining the region's wines. The high-altitude vineyards, especially in valleys like Pedernal and Tulum, benefit from cool nights, which help preserve the acidity of the grapes while the hot days allow the fruit to ripen fully. The combination of warm days and cool nights ensures that San Juan wines are rich and ripe, yet still maintain a balanced structure and freshness. The soil composition also contributes to the unique character of San Juan wines, with mineral-rich soils providing depth and complexity to the wines.
Grape varieties in San Juan
San Juan is best known for its Syrah, which thrives in the region's hot and dry conditions. This grape produces wines with rich, deep flavors and a robust structure. San Juan is also known for Malbec, a variety that produces full-bodied wines with dark fruit and spicy notes. Another grape gaining attention in the region is Bonarda, which is often used to make vibrant, fruit-forward wines with bright acidity and smooth tannins. These three varieties—Syrah, Malbec, and Bonarda—are the backbone of San Juan’s wine production, each contributing to the region’s distinctive character and style.
Fortified wines of San Juan
In addition to its powerful reds, San Juan has a long tradition of producing fortified wines. These wines, often rich and sweet, offer a different expression of the region’s terroir. They are made by adding grape spirits to the wine during fermentation, halting the fermentation process and leaving behind residual sugars. The result is a wine with a higher alcohol content and intense, sweet flavors. San Juan’s fortified wines are often used as dessert wines and are a must-try for those interested in exploring the diverse offerings of the region.
Winemaking techniques in San Juan
San Juan's winemakers blend tradition with innovation. Many producers in the region are committed to sustainable practices and are employing modern techniques such as temperature-controlled fermentation, oak aging, and micro-oxygenation to enhance the flavor profile of their wines. These methods help to bring out the best qualities of the grapes and ensure that the wines are of the highest quality. At the same time, the region's winemakers respect the long tradition of winemaking, which dates back to the early 19th century, and continue to use time-honored techniques that bring out the distinctive characteristics of San Juan’s wines.
Conclusion
San Juan’s wines are a true reflection of the region’s climate, terroir, and winemaking heritage. From bold Syrah and Malbec to rich fortified wines, San Juan offers a diverse array of wines that are as expressive as the land itself. Whether you're drawn to the powerful reds of Pedernal Valley or the smooth, complex wines of Tulum Valley, San Juan provides a wine experience that’s both unique and unforgettable. With its blend of innovation and tradition, San Juan is a region that continues to grow in recognition, making it a must-visit for wine lovers looking to explore Argentina’s diverse viticultural landscape.