Located at the entrance of The Vines’ Private Vineyard Estates, we are opening a Winemakers’ Village to the public for Harvest 2014 - a boutique collection of 12 small, quality production wineries will include some of the best winemakers in the world – Santiago Achaval, Marcelo Pelleriti, the Gimenez Riili family (now open), Revana Family Vineyards (Napa & Oregon), Pavi Wines (Napa), and more.

Here’s an interview with our one of our founding winemakers, Rob Lawson:

What convinced you to participate in Winemaker’s Village?

I found a great opportunity for me to create something unique and different, yet tied to my other wine projects in Napa and Italy. The location is paramount. The Uco Valley is to Argentina what Napa is to the US market. And I believe Argentina has a great future in the wine world. It is the premier region, with the promise of hotel and restaurants. The sky is the limit!

What is your timeline for building and opening your winery?

We hope to have the first phase of the tasting room complete by the end of 2013, and our winery open for Harvest 2015.

What will your winery be called, and what will you produce? What makes these wines unique? 

Las Rubias, meaning “the blondes,” after my two daughters. Our feature wine is a Cabernet Malbec blend, and we will make a few special wines only available at this location.

We will be blending the Argentine vision and culture with just a touch of the Napa Valley. But we’re not doing this to be like Napa wines, but rather to raise the bar for wine quality and style – and best represent the Uco Valley quality, style, terroir and climate.

Keep an eye out for more news and announcements about our Winemaker's Village in coming weeks.

Sharon Nieuwenhuis has been eagerly watching the progress of Winemaker's Village, and looks forward to sampling a little influence of Napa in all the culture, richness, and beauty that is Mendoza.