Discover Uco Valley

The Andes from Alfa Crux, in San Carlos.

After a lot of adjustments, and a lot more to come, we have a full version of our Uco Valley map that you can download here.

Mapping by Francisco Rivero Segura. Send your feedback for future versions, but don’t be cruel! 🙂 Who is missing?

Uco Valley by VinoApp

Uco Valley is located approximately 100km. Southeast of Mendoza. In recent years, it has become a top destination for tourists and wine connoisseurs. It covers the departments of Tunuyán, Tupungato and San Carlos, at the foothill of the Andes. Its total extension is over 17.370 km2 and it’s watered by the rivers Tunuyán and Tupungato.

The region has mild weather, winters are harsh and summers are warm with cool nights. The annual average temperature is 14,2° C and it covers over 25000 ha of vineyards. The valley is a distinguished place for high-end winemaking. Thermal amplitude lingers around 15° C, creating intense color and tannic structure in grapes. It is an ideal spot to elaborate wines with aging potential.
Tunuyán River’s basin runs from West to East through the province of Mendoza, following the 34º parallel south. Climate and water are decisive factors for this region. Its altitude and distance from the Atlantic Ocean, along with the Andes mountain range acting as a barrier for the humid Pacific winds, shape the basin’s climate. As a consequence, there are great oscillations in the atmospheric conditions, creating a pronounced season variation.

Vineyards and wines from Uco Valley

In 2012, the planted surface covered around 25500 ha, almost double as in 2001. It is evident how much this region has expanded, becoming one of the most well-known areas in Argentine winemaking. Out of this total, three quarters belong to red varieties; they have adapted exceptionally to the altitude. Malbec has developed to be star of the region with a growth of 44% in cultivated surface. In addition, this growth triples the cultivated surface of a decade ago.
Red wines from Uco Valley possess intense violet colors. Its aromas reveal mature fruits, especially red berries. In the mouth, pronounced tannins are revealed, as well as moderate acidity and alcohol content.

On the other hand, white wines present low color intensity with greenish tones. Its distinctive aromas are citric, fruity and floral. Their level of acidity can range from moderate to high.
The region’s altitude acts as alleviator of extreme temperatures in an environment with low humidity and intense sunlight exposure and, therefore, allows for the production of grapes with great intensity and polyphenolic content. Soil also plays an important role in the creation of high-quality wines. In the case of Uco Valley, they are alluvial, sandy or rocky and therefore possess excellent permeability and drainage.

Source: Wines of Argentina