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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.

While Mendoza continues to define Argentina’s global wine identity, a new generation of wine regions is reshaping the country’s viticultural landscape. From vineyards planted at extreme altitudes in the Andes to cool-climate sites influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, these emerging regions are producing wines with distinctive personalities and expanding Argentina’s reputation far beyond Malbec.

For decades, Argentina has been synonymous with Mendoza and Malbec. Together, they have established the country as one of the world’s leading wine producers and helped build a strong international reputation.
Yet today’s Argentine wine story is becoming increasingly diverse.

Driven by climate research, changing consumer preferences, and the search for unique terroirs, winemakers are exploring regions that until recently were considered unlikely—or even impossible—for premium viticulture. The result is a fascinating mosaic of landscapes where altitude, ocean influence, limestone soils and extreme climates are giving rise to wines of remarkable character.

Here are five emerging Argentine wine regions that deserve the attention of wine professionals and enthusiasts alike.

1. Quebrada de Humahuaca: viticulture at extreme altitude

Located in the province of Jujuy, in Argentina’s far northwest, Quebrada de Humahuaca is home to some of the highest commercial vineyards in the world, many planted above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level.
The region combines intense sunlight, low humidity, dramatic day-night temperature variation and poor, rocky soils. These challenging conditions naturally limit yields while allowing grapes to develop concentrated flavors and remarkable freshness.

Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah perform well here, while white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Torrontés are also showing considerable promise.The resulting wines are vibrant, structured and deeply expressive, offering a distinctive interpretation of high-altitude Argentine viticulture.

2.Chapadmalal and the Atlantic Coast of Argentina

Argentina’s Atlantic coast is quickly becoming one of the country’s most exciting frontiers for cool-climate wines. While Chapadmalal has emerged as the region’s best-known wine destination, new vineyard projects in areas such as General Madariaga are reinforcing the potential of Buenos Aires Province as a distinctive maritime wine region.
Just a few kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, near the city of Mar del Plata, Chapadmalal represents one of the country’s newest and most exciting cool-climate wine regions.
Here, constant ocean breezes, moderate summer temperatures and maritime humidity create growing conditions rarely associated with Argentina.

These factors favor elegant wines with bright acidity, moderate alcohol levels and exceptional freshness.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are among the varieties attracting the greatest attention, producing wines that often display citrus aromas, mineral notes and refined texture.

Chapadmalal demonstrates that Argentina is capable of producing wines whose style is closer to classic maritime regions than to the sun-drenched vineyards traditionally associated with South America.

3. Valle de Pedernal: limestone soils

Situated in the province of San Juan at elevations approaching 1,400 meters (4,600 feet), Valle de Pedernal has become one of Argentina’s most exciting emerging premium wine regions.
Its defining feature is its ancient limestone-rich soils, a geological rarity within Argentina that has attracted considerable attention from both producers and wine critics.
Combined with altitude and a continental climate, these soils contribute to wines with impressive structure, freshness and mineral tension.

Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay have all demonstrated exceptional quality, while the region continues to build an identity based on elegance rather than power.
Many wine professionals consider Pedernal one of Argentina’s most promising terroirs for age-worthy wines.

4. Los Chacayes: one of Uco Valley’s finest terroirs

Although part of Mendoza’s renowned Uco Valley, Los Chacayes has emerged as a wine region worthy of recognition in its own right.
Located at approximately 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) above sea level, it combines alluvial soils, limestone deposits, cool mountain nights and excellent drainage.
Over the past decade, it has attracted many of Argentina’s leading wineries, each exploring how subtle differences in soil and elevation influence wine style.
Malbec remains the flagship variety, but Cabernet Franc has become one of the region’s greatest success stories, producing wines celebrated for their freshness, floral aromatics and refined tannins.

Today, Los Chacayes is widely regarded as one of Argentina’s most dynamic terroirs and an outstanding example of the country’s move toward site-driven winemaking.

5. Chubut: Argentina’s southernmost wine frontier

At the southern edge of Argentine viticulture, Chubut represents one of the world’s most extreme wine-growing regions. Its cool climate, persistent winds and extended daylight during the growing season create ideal conditions for producing wines of remarkable freshness and elegance.

Vineyards around Trevelin, Sarmiento and other emerging areas are demonstrating the region’s potential for cool-climate varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Long ripening periods help preserve natural acidity while allowing grapes to develop delicate aromatics and exceptional balance.

Although production remains limited, Chubut has attracted growing attention from winemakers eager to explore new frontiers. The region illustrates how Argentine viticulture continues to expand southward, producing distinctive wines that challenge traditional perceptions of the country’s wine landscape.


Of course, these are not the only emerging wine regions in Argentina. Areas such as Córdoba, Entre Ríos and other parts of Patagonia are also contributing to the country’s increasingly diverse wine landscape. This selection simply highlights five regions whose distinctive terroirs, innovative producers and evolving identities are attracting growing international attention.

About Vinos y Pasiones

Vinos y Pasiones is an independent Argentine digital magazine dedicated to wine, gastronomy, wine tourism and the stories behind the country’s vibrant wine culture. Through original reporting, interviews and feature articles, it connects readers with the people, places and trends shaping Argentina’s evolving wine industry.

Every April 17th, the wine world celebrates Malbec, a varietal whose journey across continents shaped not only its identity, but also that of an entire country.
To understand Malbec is to understand a story of migration, adaptation, and reinvention.

Ancient roots in France

Long before becoming Argentina’s flagship grape, Malbec had deep roots in France. It is believed to have originated in the southwest, particularly in the historic region of Cahors, where it was known locally as “Côt” or “Auxerrois.”
In medieval times, wines from Cahors were highly valued and even exported to England, often competing with those from Bordeaux. Malbec played a key role in these blends, contributing color, structure, and intensity.

However, its path in France was not always easy. The grape was highly sensitive to frost and disease, which made it difficult to cultivate consistently. Over time, especially after the devastating Phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century, Malbec lost prominence in favor of more resilient varieties.

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A story of vision where Argentine olive oil finds its place on the global stage.

Miguel Zuccardi has been named the first South American member of Brave Millers – Frantoiani Coraggiosi, a European-based community of olive oil producers dedicated to crafting high-quality extra virgin olive oil by combining ancestral traditions with modern techniques.

Founded in Italy, Brave Millers – Frantoiani Coraggiosi brings together producers from diverse cultural backgrounds who share a common vision of olive oil. Its members are guided by a clear set of principles: producing only top-quality oils, operating their own mills, overseeing every stage of production, respecting the land, prioritizing sustainability, valuing local varieties, sharing knowledge, and making bold decisions—even when that means producing less.

Being part of this community is not an award or certification, but rather a peer recognition reserved for those who choose to work with conviction, care deeply about every detail, and prioritize quality over yield.

As the only South American producer in the group, Zuccardi’s inclusion represents a defining moment for Argentine olive oil.
The community emphasized that “Miguel believed in its potential when few others did, demonstrating that even far from the Mediterranean, world-class oils can be crafted—worthy of a place on the global stage. An oil that speaks Spanish, but thinks universally.”

They also noted that Familia Zuccardi has been a pioneer in cultivating and promoting the Arauco variety—the only native olive variety of Argentina—in which they believed from the very beginning, investing in single-varietal oils capable of expressing the true character of Argentina’s terroir.

In a community largely composed of European millers, Miguel Zuccardi’s presence represents a true milestone for Argentine olive growing. His inclusion celebrates a way of working, a long-standing consistency, and a vision that understands olive oil as an expression of place, people, and decisions.

About Familia Zuccardi – Varietal Olive Oils

Founded in 2004 in Maipú, Mendoza, Familia Zuccardi – Varietal Olive Oils was born from the vision of Miguel Zuccardi, a third-generation member of a family devoted to agriculture and winemaking in the region since 1963.

Driven by the conviction to establish a premium category of olive oil in Argentina, the project reflects the same core values that define the family’s broader philosophy: sustainability, respect for the land, and a deep commitment to local identity.

Set against the desert climate at the foothills of the Andes, with its marked thermal amplitude, the estate produces oils of remarkable intensity. The olives are sourced from estate-owned groves, organically managed, where careful timing between harvest and milling, along with low-temperature extraction, allows for the production of single-varietal oils with pronounced fruit character and high levels of polyphenols—true expressions of the region’s ecological conditions.

Today, the Familia Zuccardi portfolio includes four varietal oils: Arauco, Picual, Genovesa, and Coratina.