San Juan

San Juan is located south of Mendoza in Argentina. This area is also known as the Pedernal Valley, and is one of the most desolate places to grow grapes. The soils are poor and rocky, comprised of some volcanic matter, and there is hardly any water aside from some runoff from the Andes Mountains. The main grape here is Malbec. It makes wines of concentration, power, bold fruit, and an amazing flinty earthiness. The Valle de Pedernal only has a few growers, but what is coming out of this tiny region is certainly catching attention on the world stage.