Estancia Los Potreros

Wine at Los Potreros

Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world. The vineyards are based almost entirely on European grape varieties. Vast vineyards stretch along the foothills of the Andes dotted with more than 2,000 wineries. The region is blessed with a combination of plentiful water, a dry climate and year-round sunshine which makes for excellent yields.

Cordoba has a wine growing tradition that goes back some time. Records show that 10,000 vines were planted the year after the foundation of Cordoba in 1574. The wine cellar of the Jesus Maria Jesuit farm was the largest in the Spanish colony. From this cellar the very first bottle of wine from the Spanish Americas was sent to the King of Spain. This wine was christened “Lagrimilla” which we still drink as a desert wine today!

Wine production in Cordoba had a second wind when immigrants arrived from the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia in northern Italy. They founded “Colonia Caroya” in 1878 only 50 kilometers from Córdoba City in the heart of Jesuit country. The spirit of those pioneers still continues as do some of their traditions and dialects.

Today riders, drivers, walkers and birdwatchers alike all enjoy the Cordoba wine produced by Bodega La Caroyense. Half a century ago Estancia Los Potreros had a small home wine production. Today Bodega La Caroyense produces and bottles the only private wine in their cellar for Estancia Los Potreros. The popularity of this “Malbec” is now spreading beyond the visitors of the estancia.

Regular wine tastings take place at the estancia sampling not only wines from Córdoba but also taking in the main bodegas and regions of Argentina. Every month we feature a particular bodega, grape variety or geographical region.

We do not need an excuse to uncork a bottle!