Mendoza producer linking Malbec, high elevation vineyards, Patagonian cool climate wines and minimal intervention ranges.
The producer
Matías Riccitelli Wines is based in Las Compuertas, Mendoza, and was founded by Matías Riccitelli after he combined harvest experience from around the world with the teachings of his father and mentor, Jorge Riccitelli. Malbec is central to the old ungrafted vines in Las Compuertas. The range also reaches Gualtallary, Valle de La Carrera and Patagonia, with Pinot Noir, Bastardo and Semillón among the named varieties. V.I.N.O. gave rise to the minimal intervention Kung Fu and Invader lines.
Known for
High elevation Malbec and natural wines
Notable facts
Riccitelli Wines was founded in 2009 by Matías Riccitelli.
The winery is located at 1,100 metres above sea level in Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza.
The producer cultivates 20 hectares in Gualtallary's Monasterio area at 1,400 metres above sea level.
The producer owns eight hectares in Los Chacayes IG and ten hectares in San Pablo IG.
The story
Río Negro In 2015
In 2015, Matías Riccitelli and his team brought Riccitelli Patagonia to life along the banks of the Río Negro. The project set out to revive forgotten grape varieties and old vineyards that had endured over time. Its holdings include 17 hectares planted in the 1950s, and the wines focus on cool climate varieties. The Patagonia range reaches beyond Malbec to Pinot Noir, Bastardo and Semillón. Riccitelli and his team also describe the Patagonian grapes as grown organically and naturally within a distinctive ecosystem.
From the atlas
Matías Riccitelli Wines
Matías Riccitelli Wines links Malbec in Mendoza with high elevation vineyards, cool climate projects and minimal intervention wines.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Producer
Matías Riccitelli Wines
Base
Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
Grapes
Malbec, Pinot Noir, Bastardo, Semillón, Chenin Blanc and Garnacha
Range
High elevation Mendoza vineyards, Patagonia and minimal intervention lines
The Producer
Matías Riccitelli was born in Cafayate, Salta, and gained experience through multiple harvests around the world. He founded Riccitelli Wines after combining that experience with the teachings of his father and mentor, Jorge Riccitelli.
Malbec takes centre stage in the old ungrafted vines of Las Compuertas. The wider work reaches into high elevation Mendoza vineyards, Patagonia and minimal intervention ranges. Fruit is picked by hand, and fermentation uses indigenous yeasts exclusively.
Place
Altitude separates the Mendoza addresses. The winery sits in Las Compuertas, in the highest area of traditional Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. The vineyards also reach Gualtallary's Monasterio area, Los Chacayes IG, San Pablo IG and Valle de La Carrera.
In Valle de La Carrera, a project developed with the Bombal family focuses on short cycle white and red varieties including Pinot Noir. The area is the coldest in the Uco Valley. Riccitelli Patagonia lies along the banks of the Río Negro and focuses on cool climate wines from old vineyards.
Wines
Malbec anchors the Mendoza range, while Viñas Extremas comes from vineyards above 1,500 metres. Riccitelli Patagonia extends beyond Malbec with Pinot Noir, Bastardo and Semillón.
V.I.N.O. began in 2019 as a sustainable, agroecological viticulture project and gave rise to the minimal intervention Kung Fu and Invader ranges. Invader highlights overlooked Argentine varieties including Semillón, Chenin Blanc and Garnacha.
The natural wines use spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in concrete eggs and clay amphorae. Concrete and clay are vessels that allow fermentation without the flavour of oak, keeping the grape and fermentation method at the centre of the wine.
Final Word
Riccitelli's natural wines are bottled without filtration, clarification or added sulfites.