dosmalbec - Argentinian Wine

Although the Mairena winery was founded only a few years ago, in 2005, the roots of this truly impressive family project reaches back into the early 1950´s when Gabriel and Rosario Blanco, escaping from Franco´s rule in Spain, immigrated to Argentina in search for a better life. They found their new life in Mendoza, Argentina! After a couple of years of hard farm work they were able to purchase their first piece of land in 1966. It is situated in Lujan de Cuyo, today known as the birthplace of the Malbec in Argentina, offering the ideal conditions for viticulture. In 1988, their son Gabriel Junior and his wife Monica continued their parents' entrepreneurship, adding carefully selected pieces of land to the Blanco family's property, which now includes 380 hectars. 54 hectars are used to plant a small amount of table grapes and a great diversity of premium grape varietals including: Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. Having recognized the great potential for premium winemaking in the area from the early days on, the cultivation of high quality grapes was always the main focus, taking advantage of ideal climate conditions (poor soil, dry and hot weather, altitude). The fact that every hectare is protected by anti hail nets and that the modern drip irrigation techniques are used reflects the Blanco family's profound care and the attention to detail. Such quality could not be kept secret: several of Argentina´s top wineries purchase their entire grape production from the Blanco family year after year. In 2005 though, it was time to make the next big step and create an own brand of Blanco family wines, with the name of MAIRENA. This beautiful female name had been kept like a treasure in the family for many years: 13 years ago, Gabriel and Monica were going to name their youngest daughter Mairena but the name had been rejected by the government. Now, it was the right moment to reappear. At the present there are 3 MAIRENA varietal wines: Malbec, Bonarda and Sauvignon Blanc, which represent 20% of the family´s production. 80% of the grapes are still sold to other wineries in the area. The Blanco family elaborates their wines in a friend´s boutique winery close by, equipped with small cement tanks and French oak barrels. After only 2 years, their wines are exported to several South American countries as well as to The United States and Germany. The family is steering towards a successful future with support from their 5 children: Gabriel, Ivana, Rocio, Alvaro and Lucia. These help with the distribution in the internal market, bottling, labeling, marketing & PR and tastings while finishing their studies.