Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Argentina’s Patagonia region, where the Andes Mountains cast their majestic shadow over the pristine landscapes, Bodega Aniello’s, female-led boutique winery operation lies in the south central province of Rio Negro. Originally founded in 1927, it distinguished itself by applying ancient winemaking techniques that date back over a 100 years ago in Sorrento, Italy. Decades later, in 2010, it was acquired by new owners who then proceeded to execute a complete renovation of the facilities in 2013. Its 55 hectares of planted vines, spread across two vineyards, include grapes like Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, the rare French grape Trousseau, and of course, the emblematic Malbec.

The location’s desert climate has great thermal amplitude that allows the natural acids in the grapes to be preserved. This is largely due of course to its latitudinal position, which gives the area one more hour of sunshine than the rest of the production regions of Argentina, during the vegetative cycle. It is this low, relatively ambient humidity that allows production in quasi-organic conditions resulting in lower incidence of diseases for the vines. As the southernmost wine production area in Argentina, Patagonia’s strong winds cause the grapes to develop a thicker skin, which in turn lends itself to the concentration of tannins, colour and diversity of aromas in the wines of the region.

The wines of Bodega Aniello are a testament to the idea that great wines are born from a harmonious coupling of nature and human ingenuity. In their quest to honour Patagonia’s unique terroir, the winemakers embarked on a mission to create wines that speak of the land’s rugged beauty. What continues to set it apart is the unwavering commitment to sustainable and organic winemaking practices, where the vineyards are a sanctuary of biodiversity with no herbicides or pesticides used. From the tender, hand-harvesting of the grapes, where only the most exceptional fruit finds its way into the winery, to the oak barrels used for aging, each bottle of wine is crafted with delicate precision. The consequent vintage, whether red or white, is a masterpiece that transcends time, carrying with it the essence Patagonia, a vibrant tapestry of life borne of the vine.

This week, Thursday Food introduces you to three must-have labels for the Argentine spring along with two reds for those vinophiles who are already well into the autumn season.

Aniello 006 Chardonnay is a 92-point, 100 per cent varietal wine that belongs to a range of wines made with grapes grown at Finca 006, from which it also gets its name, located next to the Rio Negro. Their vines are planted in loose, sandy, silty soils as well as stony areas, yielding wines that are fresh and fluid, with character. This Chardonnay is light-bright yellow in colour with green apple, white peach and citrus aromatic notes. It is lean and crispy, having a medium body along with a fresh, dry finish in the mouth.

Aniello Soil Blanco de Pinot Noir, another 92-point, 100 per cent varietal wine, is pale yellow in colour with golden flashes, denoting its origins. On the nose, it expresses seriousness, white flowers, citrus notes, and is austere. On the palate, it is elegant and pleasant, with notes of wild strawberry, while having good volume and balanced acidity that refreshes the mouth. The Blanco de Pinot noir is produced by gently pressing and minimising skin contact of the red Pinot noir grape (similar to what is done in Champagne).

Aniello Soil Rosé de Pinot Noir is a different, complex wine that goes a little outside the classic registers of the rosé category. This 90-point wine is rosé in colour with red flashes, exhibiting aromas of floral mixed with wild red berries and cherries. It has a refreshing and velvety mouthfeel, rounded tannins as well as a smooth, long finish. The wines in this range, each of which represent the best expression of the terroir, are complex and elegant wines, balanced and with personality.

Aniello Soil Corte de Pinot Noir, a 93-point, 100 per cent varietal, comprises grapes that come from three different types of soil at both farms where clay, sand and gravel are the main components. This wine is a pale ruby red colour, with aromas of red fruits, flowers and earth. In the mouth it is quite pleasant, possessing fine-grained tannins and a long, fresh finish. The wines of this line are made from grapes harvested on different dates depending on the type of soil and vinified separately.

Aniello Trousseau is a 95-point wine that is a 100 per cent varietal made from dark red grapes grown at what is believed to be one of the oldest Trousseau vineyards in the world. Indigenous to Jura, France, the vines were first planted in 1932 in a vineyard plot that is now revered for its location, variety, condition and age. Pale ruby red in colour, the wine has aromas of red fruits, orange peel and earthy undertones. On the palate it has good weight, great character with fine-grained tannins, a very fruity profile as well as a long, fresh finish.

The wines of Bodega Aniello are a celebration of Patagonia’s soul, a dedication to preserving the land, a commitment to nurturing biodiversity, and the belief that exceptional wines are the result of a profound connection with nature. Salud!