Harbour Wines & Spirits Celebrates World Malbec Day
World Malbec Day, or Dia Mundial del Malbec, is celebrated annually on April 17, linking its origin to the celebration of the first agronomy school in Argentina in 1853. One of the main objectives of the school was to further research to adapt European grapes to Argentinian soil. One of these grape varieties was the Malbec. Although Malbec originated in France, the demand of the grape variety experienced declines in Europe especially after a major frost in 1956 that killed approximately 75 per cent of the crop. Fast-track to today, Argentina is home to 75 per cent of the world’s Malbec. In 2011, the Wines of Argentina organisation declared April 17 World Malbec Day, and the rest is history.
Jamaica, like many other countries around the world, joined Argentina in celebrating this world-renowned and loved grape variety, known for its inky purple appearance, and rich jam-like complexity on the palate. Harbour Wines & Spirits is the distributor of some of the major Malbec wine brands in Jamaica and represents Trivento, Santa Julia, Zuccardi and Birds & Bees. Each winery has styles of Malbec wines that represent its specific subregion, brand and winemaker’s expression.
On Friday, April 17, Harbour Wines & Spirits hosted a Malbec Mingle at the Residence of the Argentinian Ambassador Marcelo Balbi Calvo and his wife Fabiana Fajardo in Stony Hill, St Andrew, in celebration of World Malbec Day.
Avraham Rubinchik, Wastewater Operations and Management Company general manager, his wife Marina Rubinchik (centre) and Ambassador Balbi Calvo’s wife Fabiana Fajardo joined in a toast. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Sharing a toast for World Malbec Day were Jamaica Public Service Company Chairman Damian Obiglio (left), Embassy of Argentina Deputy Head of Mission Lucia Raffin and her husband Juan Diego Ayala. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Relishing a successful Malbec Mingle were (from left) Harbour Wines and Spirits Business Development Manager, Retail Jhannel Townsend; Harbour Wines Brand Manager Kaydene Senior; Argentinian Ambassador to Jamaica Marcelo Balbi Calvo; Harbour Wines and Spirits Commercial Manager Dr Debbian Spence-Minott; and Harbour Wines and Spirits Business Development Manager – On Trade & Corporate Shauntae Tapper. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
The amuse-bouche: Trio’s Smoked Marlin Crostini complemented with the welcome wines of (from left) Santa Julia Sparkling, Santa Julia Malbec and the Santa Julia Dulce Rosé.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Trio Wine, Bar & Grill served a delectable salad of tomatoes, olives, bamboo shoots and purple onions that was paired with the Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
![[USE TOGETHER] Exceptionally great pairing of the Zuccardi Q Malbec with the evening’s two entrées courtesy of TRIO Wine Bar & Grill – Spicy Grilled Salmon Aglio E Oli and Chimichurri Grilled Steak with Duchess Potatoes.Nicolina Diabo](/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/image_6-68.jpg)
[USE TOGETHER] Exceptionally great pairing of the Zuccardi Q Malbec with the evening’s two entrées courtesy of TRIO Wine Bar & Grill – Spicy Grilled Salmon Aglio E Oli and Chimichurri Grilled Steak with Duchess Potatoes.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
![[USE TOGETHER] Exceptionally great pairing of the Zuccardi Q Malbec with the evening’s two entrées courtesy of TRIO Wine Bar & Grill – Spicy Grilled Salmon Aglio E Oli and Chimichurri Grilled Steak with Duchess Potatoes.Nicolina Diabo](/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/image_7-52.jpg)
[USE TOGETHER] Exceptionally great pairing of the Zuccardi Q Malbec with the evening’s two entrées courtesy of TRIO Wine Bar & Grill – Spicy Grilled Salmon Aglio E Oli and Chimichurri Grilled Steak with Duchess Potatoes.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
The dessert course: Trio’s Coffee Crème Brûlée paired with Birds & Bees Sweet Malbec(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Clinical nurse Chaneal Satchell raised a glass to World Malbec Day. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Grace Foods & Services Head of Food Services Donna Taylor-Wright basked in the picturesque setting of the Argentine Ambassador’s residence.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Blue Power Group Ltd General Manager Vishwanauth Tolan shared the frame with his wife Guyah Tolan & Associates Managing Partner Terri-Ann Tolan.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Enjoying the festivities was Harbour Wines Promotions Assistant Dejonae Manderson.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Joining Harbour Wines & Spirits Commercial Manager Dr Debbian Spence-Minott (centre) for World Malbec Day were ROK Hotel Director of Food & Beverage Sherene Brown (left) and president of the Eternal Father Awards and Bank of Jamaica’s Centrally Speaking host Anna Smith.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Pausing between sips for a photo were Dairy Industries HR Executive Francine Richards and Argentinian Ambassador to Jamaica Marcelo Balbi Calvo.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Among the guests in attendance were Solvex Limited CEO Luz Tejada-Edwards (left), her husband Nestlé Jamaica Head of Procurement Rory Edwards and Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Kathryn Silvera.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Harbour Wines & Spirits Business Development Manager, Retail Jhannel Townsend raised a toast to World Malbec Day.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Grace Foods Regional Sales Manager Matthew Allen and his daughter, McDaniel College medical student Leah Allen, shared some precious father-daughter time over Malbec.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Fraser, Fontaine & Kong Insurance Vice-President Janette Williams (left) enjoyed the conversation and company of technology consultant Christopher Reckord and his wife Design Privacy Head of Service Delivery Kerri-Anne Reckord.(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Saxophonist Tafane Buchsaecab’s melodious tunes were pure musical brilliance!(Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Spotted enjoying their Malbecs were GK General Insurance Company Limited Project Management Officer Jody Harrison (left) Dr Britney Chambers. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Sharing in the celebrations were (from left) Dairy Industries HR Executive Francine Richards; President of the Eternal Father Awards and Bank of Jamaica’s Centrally Speaking host Anna Smith; ROK Hotel Director of Food & Beverage Sherene Brown; and Harbour Wines Business Development Manager – On Trade & Corporate Shauntae Tapper. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Attorney-at-law and wine aficionado Shannon Johnson savoured a glass of wine. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
Enjoying the festivities were (from left), KENCASA Construction & Project Management Ltd Business Strategist Clair-Ann Kennedy, Fraser, Fontaine & Kong Insurance Vice-President Janette Williams, and Dairy Industries HR executive Francine Richards. (Photo: Nicolina Diabo)
