Mendel Semillon

Mendel winery represents a unique partnership between the established Argentine Sielecki family and the renowned and experienced Roberto de la Mota. He jokes that he may as well have been born in a winery due to his formative years being remarkably wine-centred, as his father was the famous Argentine winemaker, Don Raúl de la Mot, who passed on his passion and knowledge to Roberto. He did, however, do his ‘official’ training at the National University of Cuyo and went on to study in Montpellier, France and toured throughout the country managing various leading wineries. The partnership began in 2002, a dream fulfilled for Roberto, and they began their dedication to producing unquestionably superior quality wine underpinned by ancient vineyards, passionate people and much experience.

Mendel’s wineries and vineyards span across the Mendoza Province. Finca Mendel, Mayor Drummond and Finca de los Andes, Perdriel are both in Luján de Cuyo and straddle the river Mendoza which offers some relief for the semi-arid, dessert climate. Their vineyards are positioned between 900 to 1,150 meters above sea level, in the highly irrigated lands of Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco, where Finca Remota is based. Sparse rainfall (less than 200 mm annually) characterises the region and therefore their vineyards have historically been sustained through a complex irrigation system fed by the Meltwater from the Andes; channels, canals and reservoirs, some of which date back to the 16th century, which make viticulture possible and desirable.

Using a mixture of drip and surface irrigation methods allows free-standing vineyards to avoid more disease, achieve suitable vigour as well as the level of concentration desired. The soils in each vineyard have similarities but have diverse levels of the following soil; loam, clay, sand, all of which are of alluvial origin formed with materials from the Andes Mountains. Overall, they tend to be stony and exceedingly permeable, with little nitrogen and organic matter but rich in potassium. They are soils that produce low to medium vigour, and good drainage but enable high levels of intensity and concentration in their grapes. The climate here is continental and semi-arid/desert with distinct seasons; cold in winter, occasional snowfall but mild in summer with cool nights. The Diurnal range in Mendoza sits for the most part at 15 degrees between night and day which allows aromats, freshness and acidity to accompany the intensity of the fruit and tannins.

Similarly, their use of old vines, which controls their yield allows for prolonged ageing, with the grapes aromatic profile, floral notes and concentration of flavour being upheld. On the Vineyard, Mendel use very careful treatment of foliage and plant on north-south facing trellises which facilitates the perfect amount of sun exposure and reduces the number of clusters and smaller-sized berries.

The time of harvest is agreed after many trips on the vineyard and visually inspecting all grapes. They are hand-harvested and meticulous grape selection happens once they arrive at the triage table. Mendel Wines show a real dedication to the whole process, from selecting parcels, to fermentation and ageing in small tanks, using the finest French oak. They express the unique character of their vineyards and Mendoza terrain that really is incomparable.