Familia Zuccardi

Familia Zuccardi is a family-run winery based in the Mendoza region of Argentina, which makes wines from the usual varieties and also produced the country's first premium Tempranillo.

Founder Alberto Zuccardi moved to Mendoza in the 1940s from Tucuman, where his grandparents had settled after emigrating from Avelino, Italy. Due to the scarcity of water in the Mendoza region, Alberto experimented with a new irrigation system and, wanting to prove its worth to his neighbors, he planted a vineyard in Maipu. The experiment led to Zuccardi becoming one of the most prominent and prosperous wineries in Argentina.

The Familia Zuccardi winery was built in 1968 and, when son José Alberto joined the team in 1976, he made several innovations that made the winery what it is today. After readjusting the vineyards to produced optimal quality, the resulting wine from the vineyard was dubbed Santa Julia, for José's only daughter. José also introduced a new portfolio of wines called Zuccardi Q – standing for "quality" – with fruit sourced from the best and oldest parcels. The first Zuccardi Q wine released was the 1997 vintage of Tempranillo, the first premium Tempranillo produced in Argentina.  

Familia Zuccardi has continued to develop its brand over the years, expanding its holdings beyond their Maipu estate to four other plots around Mendoza: Vista Flores, Altamira, La Consulta, and Santa Rosa. It now makes an array of wines under both the Santa Julia and Zuccardi Q portfolios, including Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Torrontés. Additionally, Zuccardi is known for experimentation in the cellar, making wines with little-known varieties such as Aglianico, Bonarda, and Ekigaina.