Have you ever seen a wine bottle that takes your breath away? That is what happened to me when I was visiting a wine shop in Bento Gonçalves, Brazil and saw two wine bottles snuggled together with curving necks in an elegant embrace.
“Which winery produces these wines?” I asked.
“You will visit there at the end of the week,” responded our host, Diego. “The name of the winery is Luiz Argenta, and they are known for their artistic wine bottles and unique architecture.”
Diego was correct, because when we finally arrived at the entrance to Luiz Argenta Winery seven days later at 10am, I caught my breath in delight at the lovely sloping roof of the winery that clearly emulated the rolling vineyards that surrounded it. A long driveway snaked its way through verdant green lawns with tall trees in the distance. It was an incredibly stunning approach to a winery, and reminded me of how I felt when I first saw their embracing wine bottles – entranced!
Winding Driveway to Luiz Argenta Winery in Brazil
We were greeted by Daiane Argenta, Marketing Director and daughter of the owner. “Welcome to Luiz Argenta Winery,” she said with a smile. “Please let me show you the view of the vineyards.”
We followed her up a curving set of stairs to a balcony the looked out over the vineyards. I caught my breath because it seemed like a sea of vines was laid out before more, winding their way up and down the rolling hills as far as the eye could see. For a wine lover like me, it was a mesmerizing view, and I couldn’t wait to taste the wines produced by these undulating vines.
The Rolling Vineyards of Luiz Argenta Winery in Brazil
Vineyards and Wines of Luiz Argenta Winery
Daiane explained that the winery is located outside the town of Flores da Cunha, and boasts 55 hectares of vineyards that are part of the first large planting of vitis vinifera vines in Southern Brazil in 1929. There are 17 different grape varietals planted in the vineyard, and all wine is 100% estate produced. The property sits at 800 meters high (2400 feet), and has 27 different soil types. Each vineyard plot is named after a famous Brazilian musician.
Today Luiz Argenta Winery produces around 180,000 bottles per year, employs 31 people, and sell 25% direct to consumers who visit the winery. They can do this easily because of their well-known Clô Restaurante with stunning views across the vineyards. They also have a wine bar, offer tours and tastings, and even have a children’s play area. The tasteful wine shop offers not only wine for purchase, but local honey, jam, and juices also (see photos of restaurant and wine shop below).
They offer three-tiers of wines: 1) Joven – at an entry-level price point; 2) Classico – for the mid-tier; and 3) Cave – for their high-end wines. Wine styles range from sparkling to still wines, such as merlot, cabernet franc, chardonnay, gewürztraminer, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, and red blends. Sadly none of these wines are yet exported to the US market.
Architectural Design of Luiz Argenta Winery
Probably the most unique aspect of the property is the stunning architecture. Daiane explained that her family purchased the property in 2000, and decided to hire famous female architect, Vanja Hertcert, to design the state of the art winery and restaurant.
Vanja wanted to create a winery that would “match the rolling hills,” so she designed the spectacular curving roof, as well as curving staircases, domed wine caves with music, and conical fermentation tanks. The beautiful wine bottles with their embracing curves were created in Italy, and are so unique that each label must be hand applied. But the workers don’t mind, because soothing Brazilian Bossa Nova music winds its way around the cellar.
Daiane Argenta Next to Conical Fermentation Tanks
A Lazy Three-Hour Wine Lunch at Luiz Argenta Restaurante Clô
After our tour of the cellars, Daiane led us upstairs to the restaurant on the third level of the winery. Our party of six was seated at a large table overlooking the vineyards. During the amazing three-hour lunch that followed, we were treated to eight different wines – several with unique bottle designs.
Our Lunch Party at Clo Restaurant at Luiz Argenta Winery
The food was expertly prepared. We started with a fresh green salad, and then I had Ahi Tuna with black rice. Dessert was a delicious Brazilian flan.
Wine Tasting Highlights at Luiz Argenta Winery
Though all of the wines were expertly crafted by their Italian trained winemaker, my favorites were:
- Luiz Argenta Cave Sparkling Rose Nature 2013 – 100% pinot noir, with 36 months on lees in bottle. Notes of strawberry, lemon and brioche with a creamy palate and refreshingly dry finish. Very elegant. 92 points
- Luiz Argenta Cave Brut 2012 – 100% chardonnay, crisp yellow apple with contrasting minerality of wet stone and toast; Creamy lemon brulee notes with refreshing high acid finish. 48 months on lees in bottle. 93 points
- Luiz Argenta Joven Gewürztraminer 2017 – classic floral notes with honeysuckle and jasmine. Dried apricot on palate with citrus. Refreshing bone dry finish, light and easy drinking. Comes in one of the beautiful curving paired bottles. 90 points
- Luiz Argenta Classico Cabernet Franc 2014 – cassis, clove, and cinnamon with earthy notes; good concentration and complexity. 9 months aging in French oak. A top seller for the winery. 92 points
- Luiz Argenta Cuvee Ripasso 2009 – a fascinating blend of merlot, cabernet franc and petite verdot made in the ripasso style. Inspired by his time in Veneto, the Luis Agento winemaker also makes an amarone style wine, and adds some of the left over pomace to this blend. Nearly black in color with a garnet edge, this wine delivers black plum, blackberry, earth and stewed fruit compote. With is massive tannins and long concentrated finish, it is truly magnificent. 95 points
A Parting Photo with Daiane at Luiz Argenta Winery
