Patricio Gouguenheim
High-flying Argentinian Banker turned winemaker
- Back in the 1990's, Patricio had a hunch. And so he gave up his prosperous career as a city banker and spent his life savings on an old vineyard. Luckily his hunch was right.
- Mendoza is the heard of Argentina's wine-making country. Very hot days and very cool nights mean buckets of refined, ripe fruit. It's what Argentina does best.
- One of our original winemakers, Patricio supported us at the beginning. And now we support him. And with all that history, he's kindly kept resisted any price hikes.
Vineyard Location
Patricio Gouguenheim's Story
Patricio Gouguenheim's Story
"My two daughters once told me that "I'm mad to start a winery!" but I love the fact that I'm creating something that can be shared with others. I feel as though I'm spreading some sense of Argentina all around the world."
"Born in Argentina to French parents, my love of wine started at the age of 7 when I was given a little bit of wine (mixed with sparkling water!) with every meal. No doubt a catalyst for me entering the world of wine later on in life...
I used to work in mergers and acquisitions, buying and selling companies. During the years 1999 to 2002, my work took me to Mendoza in the foothills of the Andes mountains, now the epicentre of Argentina's wine industry. It was at that time that I predicted that 'now was the right time for Argentine wines to become trendy and to gain a place in the world market.' And, well, forgive my immodesty... but I was right!
It was during the year 2002, when Argentina went into a big economical crash and GDP went down 47% in one year, that I decided to enter the wine market (as everyone else was leaving...). I found a very old winery, with a lot of small tanks ideal for the wine I was going to produce, and that was the start of my venture in this wonderful, crazy business! I hung up my suit and tie, and started working in the great outdoors.
Mendoza has a dessert climate, with very hot days and very cold nights - the perfect conditions for making wine. We don't use any chemicals at all in the making of our wines - in fact, we are virtually organic in all but the name! With the best grapes available, a fantastic working environment, and a really strong team around me, I have the most remarkable job.
My two daughters once told me that "I'm mad to start a winery!" but I love the fact that I'm creating something that can be shared with others. I feel as though I'm spreading some sense of Argentina all around the world, and I find it a great privilege to be filling the wine glasses of people I've never met. Hopefully yours too!"
