2011 Juan Benegas, Mendoza, Argentina, Mendoza

In 1883, Federico Benegas Lynch's great grandfather founded the 'El Trapiche' winery. Don Tiburcio Benegas had a vision of making Mendoza a great producer of high quality wine for the world. He focused not only on his personal project but encouraged other producers to apply modern techniques and he gave part the vines he brought from France to every viticulture who wanted to grow in the province.

Federico was raised in the winery close to his father who used to be winemaker in Trapiche. After the company was dissolved he moved to Buenos Aires, but his passion for Mendoza and for winemaking remained in his heart.
In 1999 he had the opportunity to buy Finca Libertad, an old vineyard that was planted by Don Tiburcio and that became the axis for his new project: to produce only high end wines, the Benegas wines.

Two years later he bought an antique winery which he restored completely following the architecture of 19th century while incorporating the latest technology. In the year 2000 started the first harvest of Benegas wines.

The winery is located in Lujan de Cuyo, province of Mendoza, 20 minutes from Mendoza city. Grapes are coming from vineyards situated at 1450 meters above the sea level. Cold maceration. Fermentation at 25°C. Fermentative maceration during 20 days. Malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels and after this, ageing in the same barrels for 18 months. One year of bottle ageing.