Bodega Chacra: Pioneering World-Class Pinot Noirs in Patagonia

Bodega Chacra was founded in 2003 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta.
He discovered at a wine-tasting in New York a pinot noir that brought his attention to the Río Negro region of Patagonia, Argentina. After his first visit, he knew this would be the home of his new passion. He reaised it was there he could have made wines that could truly convey the taste of “a place on the planet.”

Piero is the grandson of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, creator of Sassacaia. His grandfather embued in Piero an understanding of fine wines and a respect for and responsibility to nature. He implemented sustainable farming and nature preservation in Bolgheri and was the author of numerous books on the subject. Piero’s beloved memories of childhood - nature, vineyards, family meals - certainly molded him.

The estate is in the Rio Negro valley about half way between the Atlantic and the Andes, and consists of alluvial beds left by the ancient glacier and by the river. There is quite a history for Pinot Noir in this region, and in 1964 there were still about 2400 hectares of planted vineyard, but then there was a sharp drop-off and by 1990 only 232 hectares remained. Piero started by purchasing an abandoned plot planted in 1932. Since then there has been something of a resurgence in enthusiasm for Pinot, and by 2009 the total Pinot Noir in the Rio Negro was back up to 1681 hectares. Two more sites soon followed for Chacra, with old vines planted in 1955 and 1967. A fourth vineyard was then planted on the site of the original 1932 vineyard, using only vine cuttings taken from both the 1932 and 1955 plots (all the Chacra vines are franc de pied - planted on their own roots, not grafted). This last vineyard is the basis for the 'Barda' wine. The gravels and coarse alluvial pebbles, with a significant limestone content, together with a fresh, dry climate and great luminosity, allow for the minimum treatment in the vineyard and allowing for organic and biodynamic practices to be followed, which combined with a green harvest in January yields are kept very low. The region is extremely dry, being in the rain-shadow of the Andes, and apart from the area of the glacial bed which is irrigated with river water, the land around is desert.

In Patagonia, a “chacra” is a special piece of land destined to pomology. At the same time, chacras are vital energy centers that provide us with the ability to connect with the whole universe, with everything living and vibrating. In its nourishment, in the marriage with every meal, wine is the companion of pleasure and sensitivity. Wine is intimate and touches all our senses. Chacra aims to enhance that connection.