José Alberto Zuccardi has been nominated for Wine Executive of the Year at the 2026 Wine Star Awards, one of the wine industry’s most recognized international awards, presented by Wine Enthusiast.
The Wine Star Awards celebrate individuals and organizations whose work has made a significant contribution to the world of wine. The winners will be honored at the annual gala in January 2027.
For Argentine wine, José Alberto Zuccardi’s nomination carries a particular significance.

When he joined his family’s business in 1963, Argentine wine was still largely unknown on the international stage. Over the years, he travelled extensively to share the story of Argentine wine and Malbec with the world, while working to strengthen the foundations of the country’s wine industry.
His vision has included investment in infrastructure, education, exports and, above all, a deeper understanding of Argentina’s vineyards and terroirs. His work has also accompanied the remarkable development of the Uco Valley, today one of Mendoza’s most internationally recognized wine regions.

José Alberto Zuccardi represents a generation that helped expand the presence of Argentine wine beyond its traditional boundaries. His name is also closely connected to the family’s philosophy of place and identity. The José Zuccardi wine, for example, reflects the family’s evolution toward wines that express the mountain landscapes and calcareous soils of the Uco Valley.
This approach is deeply rooted in the work of Familia Zuccardi, which has explored Mendoza’s diverse landscapes by studying differences in soils, elevations and microclimates. Rather than treating the Uco Valley as a single expression, the family has sought to understand its many identities and translate them into wine.
In this sense, José Alberto Zuccardi’s contribution goes beyond the recognition of Argentine wine abroad. It is also part of a broader movement toward understanding Argentina through its vineyards, celebrating diversity of terroir and encouraging future generations to continue asking what each place can express.

At Vinos y Pasiones, we celebrate this nomination as part of a larger story: the journey of Argentine wine onto the world stage, built over decades by people who believed in its potential.

Congratulations, José Alberto Zuccardi, and Familia Zuccardi.

Argentina has a story to tell through its wines. And it continues to be written.