Catena Zapata and Ribera del Cuarzo Shine at Winexplorers Awards

The Winexplorers awards, held at the elegant Alvear Icon Hotel in Puerto Madero, have once again highlighted the excellence and diversity of Argentine wines. This year's ceremony, in its second edition, brought a wave of surprises, distinguishing not only renowned figures and wineries but also recognizing emerging talents making their mark on the national and international stage.

Catena Zapata, a titan of Argentine viticulture, rightfully received the Grand Prize Winexplorers, a testament to its enduring legacy. However, the revelation of the year was undoubtedly Ribera del Cuarzo, a Patagonian winery whose youth belies its significant achievements, earning it the prestigious title of Winery of the Year. This juxtaposition of established greatness and burgeoning potential encapsulates the vibrant evolution of our wine industry.

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Premiar al vino argentino es una gran responsabilidad, porque significa destacar a los mejores en cada categoría, y eso requiere de conocimiento, pero además de compromiso con una causa; seguir difundiendo de la mejor manera la cultural del vino argentino

Felipe Menéndez, founder of Ribera del Cuarzo, eloquently captured the significance of these awards, emphasizing the unique terroir of the Araucana vineyard and the region's potential to produce world-class wines. "For us, these awards are a very important recognition of the Araucana vineyard, a unique place that manages to convey a landscape with a distinct character, with its own flavor that is not found anywhere else," he stated. This sentiment underscores the growing pride in regional identities within Argentine winemaking.

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Para nosotros, estos premios son un reconocimiento muy importante al viñedo Araucana, un lugar único, que logra transmitir un paisaje con un carácter distinto, con un sabor propio que no se encuentra en ningún otro lado

The jury, composed of 38 leading Argentine wine experts, ensures the integrity and credibility of the awards. As journalist and jury president Fabricio Portelli noted, "Awarding Argentine wine is a great responsibility, because it means highlighting the best in each category, and that requires knowledge, but also commitment to a cause; to continue promoting Argentine wine culture in the best way."

From the perspective of La Nación, these awards are more than just a competition; they are a celebration of Argentine identity and a powerful engine for promoting our wine culture globally. The recognition of both established giants and rising stars like Ribera del Cuarzo demonstrates the depth and dynamism of our wine sector, promising an exciting future for Argentine wines on the world stage.

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Además, son un reconocimiento a la región patagónica, que tiene todo el potencial natural para producir vinos que pueden competir con los mejores del mundo