Postales del Plata Winery of the Week
Bodega Benegas - Founders of the wine industry in Argentina
¨Benegas wines have a strong personality which is the result of a very unique terroir for its quality and the combination of French and Argentine traditions. The wines are a reflection of Frederico Benegas Lynch passion and his constant search for excellence¨. Michelle Roland
Tiburcio Benegas, together with Silvestre Ochagavía (Chile) and Agoston Harszthy (California), are considered the first three pioneers in the wine industry in America. Convinced that it was imperative to achieve excellence in their products, Benegas brought the first French grapevines ever introduced in Argentina, along with the most advanced technology available at the time"
In 1883, Tiburcio Benegas bought a vineyard called "El Trapiche", located in Godoy Cruz, Mendoza, formerly the department of San Vicente (the Patron Saint of vineyards). It was on this land that Tiburcio built the Trapiche winery.
In 1886, there were only 6.653 hectares of vineyards in Mendoza. Tiburcio Benegas, the Governor of the Province at the time, was also a pioneer in viticulture and viniculture. In order to promote this activity, he obtained a loan of 5.000.000 "pesos oro" from Europe, with which he founded the Bank of Mendoza, and began construction of dams and rubble work ditches in the Mendoza River to expand the vineyard plantations.
Tiburcio was the founder of the wine industry in Mendoza. He promoted the first irrigation system in the province, he crossed the Andes on a mule, and then traveled by ship to Bordeaux to increase the scope of the Argentine wine industry by introducing fine varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Out of the experience he gained in France, he developed oenology in Mendoza, especially in the area of quality wines. He brought oenologists from Bordeaux, imported oak casks from Nancy, and the most sophisticated equipment available in those days. It is not surprising, then, that "Trapiche" was acknowledged as the best Argentine wine during the first seventy years of the 20th century.
Pedro and Alberto Benegas continued with the family enterprise, following Tiburcio´s steps. Pedro, who had studied oenology in Bordeaux, gave the rising industry a new boost at the beginning of the century. He stayed on his father´s land in Mendoza, while Alberto, his brother, organized the administration and marketing of the wines throughout the country from Buenos Aires. Thus, Benegas Hermanos was founded in 1908, starting a lineage that would last up to the present.
After a trip to France, Pedro came back with a more comprehensive and modern view regarding the management of vineyards and quality wine making. Until then, the Trapiche wines were made with some sophistication but fell short of the expectations aimed at by the Benegas. Pedro and Alberto decided to incorporate new brands for more demanding consumers, so they began to produce Fond de Cave, Broquel, Puente Viejo and Vezelay. Pedro Benegas incorporated the typical features of the Bordeaux wines and the blends were definitely inspired by French tradition.
Pedro Benegas died in 1943 and his nephew, Frederico A. Benegas Lynch (1916-1997), who had joined the company in 1938, settled in "El Trapiche", Mendoza to work in the winery.
At the beginning of the 1970's, the family company dissolved and the assets were sold. The Trapiche winery was demolished, and the vineyards were divided and sold. Pulenta bought the wine brands and Seagrams, the champagne brands. The only brand that remained in the family was BENEGAS, owned at present by Frederico J. Benegas Lynch.
Federico A. was the last winemaker of Benegas Hnos SA. With his twenty-eight years´ experience, he entered into partnership with Camilo Gancia, to manufacture wines under the trade name "Federico Benegas". Gancia contributed the vineyards and winery; Federico, the technical supervision. This partnership continued until the early 1990's.
Federico J. Benegas Lynch was born in the winery in 1951. He grew up by his father's side, sampling wines and working in the vineyard. This atmosphere awakened in him a deep love for his land and its wine. He had always been close to his father and eventually, he joined the enterprise. In 1997, he became a member of the Board of Directors of Peñaflor and Trapiche wineries, which were then under the control of Luis A. Pulenta and DLJ. He resigned to his position in March 2001.
It was in 1998 that Federico J. resumed his activity as winemaker when he settled on the 40 hectares of Finca Libertad, part of the old Benegas' family property, where the vineyards are 20 to 80 years old. He started the production of quality wines, fully convinced that he would achieve the level of excellence of his ancestors. This is now the beginning of a new era in the Benegas family.
Recommended Wines - All Benegas wines are made exclusively from grapes from their own vineyards. The wines are fermented in French Oak casks.
The following are some of our recommended Benegas wines, with a description provided by the winemakers. NOTE: Benegas is one of our favorite wineries to visitl....just the best most friendly service, very knowledgeable winemakers to assist our guests, and one of the best private lunches anywhere in their authentic recycled parrilla ¨living room¨.
Don Tiburcio, Blend - with 18 months barrel, plus an incorporation of Malbec 2002 to reach a balance in color, aroma and flavors. With this wine Benegas introduced a younger product that shows up the flavors of the grape while keeping the fineness provided by the oak casks.
WINEMAKER: Federico Benegas Lynch.
WINEMAKER CONSULTANT: Michel Rolland.
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina.
VINEYARD AGE: 35 years average.
HARVEST: Harvest is manual and transportation is carried out in 15-17 kg plastic cases.
PRODUCTION: The average yield is of 4.486 kg of grape per hectare for the Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.203 kg of grape per hectare for the Cabernet Franc, and 6.431 kg of grape per hectare for Merlot. 40.000 bottles total production.
WINE MAKING METHODS: Raceme and grape selection, cold maceration, fermentation in small pools with controlled temperatures.
CONSERVATION: The wines base is kept in oak barrels for a period of 18 months -10 months as a pure varietal and 8 months as a Blend-. The rest (Malbec) is wine that is kept during 8 months in oak barrels until the final cut, when Don Tiburcio is born.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
Alcohol: 13.5
Total acidity: 4.68
PH: 3.85
SENSORY PROFILE:
Color: Shinny with combined shades of purple from the Malbec and touches of ruby typical of cask wines-
Aroma: Predomination of mature red fruits and a touch of chocolate vanilla provided by the Blend.
Taste: Intense, fruited, with soft tannins and an impressive and persistent finale.
RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE: 15ºC to 17ºC.
Juan Benegas Malbec - This varietal a 100% Malbec was produced out of specially selected vineyards from the province of Mendoza in Argentina. These vineyards, located on the Andes slopes mountains, are blessed with an exceptional climate and soil that allows the production of a unique wine, with a typical argentine character.
WINEMAKER: Federico Benegas Lynch.
WINEMAKER CONSULTANT: Michel Rolland.
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina.
PRODUCTION: 40.000 bottles.
WINE MAKING METHODS: Raceme and grape selection, cold maceration, fermentation in small pools with controlled temperatures.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
Alcohol: 14
Total Acidity: 4.78
PH: 3.7
Residual sugar: 2.06
SENSORY PROFILE:
Color: Red color with violet hints.
Aroma: Primarily, it shows red fruit and floral aromas.
Taste: Intense, with a great lasting and persistence in the mouth. Sweet tannins, with no drying effects.
RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE: 15ºC to 17ºC.
¨Benegas wines have a strong personality which is the result of a very unique terroir for its quality and the combination of French and Argentine traditions. The wines are a reflection of Frederico Benegas Lynch passion and his constant search for excellence¨. Michelle Roland
Tiburcio Benegas, together with Silvestre Ochagavía (Chile) and Agoston Harszthy (California), are considered the first three pioneers in the wine industry in America. Convinced that it was imperative to achieve excellence in their products, Benegas brought the first French grapevines ever introduced in Argentina, along with the most advanced technology available at the time" In 1883, Tiburcio Benegas bought a vineyard called "El Trapiche", located in Godoy Cruz, Mendoza, formerly the department of San Vicente (the Patron Saint of vineyards). It was on this land that Tiburcio built the Trapiche winery.
In 1886, there were only 6.653 hectares of vineyards in Mendoza. Tiburcio Benegas, the Governor of the Province at the time, was also a pioneer in viticulture and viniculture. In order to promote this activity, he obtained a loan of 5.000.000 "pesos oro" from Europe, with which he founded the Bank of Mendoza, and began construction of dams and rubble work ditches in the Mendoza River to expand the vineyard plantations.
Tiburcio was the founder of the wine industry in Mendoza. He promoted the first irrigation system in the province, he crossed the Andes on a mule, and then traveled by ship to Bordeaux to increase the scope of the Argentine wine industry by introducing fine varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Out of the experience he gained in France, he developed oenology in Mendoza, especially in the area of quality wines. He brought oenologists from Bordeaux, imported oak casks from Nancy, and the most sophisticated equipment available in those days. It is not surprising, then, that "Trapiche" was acknowledged as the best Argentine wine during the first seventy years of the 20th century. Pedro and Alberto Benegas continued with the family enterprise, following Tiburcio´s steps. Pedro, who had studied oenology in Bordeaux, gave the rising industry a new boost at the beginning of the century. He stayed on his father´s land in Mendoza, while Alberto, his brother, organized the administration and marketing of the wines throughout the country from Buenos Aires. Thus, Benegas Hermanos was founded in 1908, starting a lineage that would last up to the present.
After a trip to France, Pedro came back with a more comprehensive and modern view regarding the management of vineyards and quality wine making. Until then, the Trapiche wines were made with some sophistication but fell short of the expectations aimed at by the Benegas. Pedro and Alberto decided to incorporate new brands for more demanding consumers, so they began to produce Fond de Cave, Broquel, Puente Viejo and Vezelay. Pedro Benegas incorporated the typical features of the Bordeaux wines and the blends were definitely inspired by French tradition.
Pedro Benegas died in 1943 and his nephew, Frederico A. Benegas Lynch (1916-1997), who had joined the company in 1938, settled in "El Trapiche", Mendoza to work in the winery. At the beginning of the 1970's, the family company dissolved and the assets were sold. The Trapiche winery was demolished, and the vineyards were divided and sold. Pulenta bought the wine brands and Seagrams, the champagne brands. The only brand that remained in the family was BENEGAS, owned at present by Frederico J. Benegas Lynch.
Federico A. was the last winemaker of Benegas Hnos SA. With his twenty-eight years´ experience, he entered into partnership with Camilo Gancia, to manufacture wines under the trade name "Federico Benegas". Gancia contributed the vineyards and winery; Federico, the technical supervision. This partnership continued until the early 1990's.
Federico J. Benegas Lynch was born in the winery in 1951. He grew up by his father's side, sampling wines and working in the vineyard. This atmosphere awakened in him a deep love for his land and its wine. He had always been close to his father and eventually, he joined the enterprise. In 1997, he became a member of the Board of Directors of Peñaflor and Trapiche wineries, which were then under the control of Luis A. Pulenta and DLJ. He resigned to his position in March 2001.
It was in 1998 that Federico J. resumed his activity as winemaker when he settled on the 40 hectares of Finca Libertad, part of the old Benegas' family property, where the vineyards are 20 to 80 years old. He started the production of quality wines, fully convinced that he would achieve the level of excellence of his ancestors. This is now the beginning of a new era in the Benegas family.
Recommended Wines - All Benegas wines are made exclusively from grapes from their own vineyards. The wines are fermented in French Oak casks.
The following are some of our recommended Benegas wines, with a description provided by the winemakers. NOTE: Benegas is one of our favorite wineries to visitl....just the best most friendly service, very knowledgeable winemakers to assist our guests, and one of the best private lunches anywhere in their authentic recycled parrilla ¨living room¨.
Don Tiburcio, Blend - with 18 months barrel, plus an incorporation of Malbec 2002 to reach a balance in color, aroma and flavors. With this wine Benegas introduced a younger product that shows up the flavors of the grape while keeping the fineness provided by the oak casks. WINEMAKER: Federico Benegas Lynch.
WINEMAKER CONSULTANT: Michel Rolland.
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina.
VINEYARD AGE: 35 years average.
HARVEST: Harvest is manual and transportation is carried out in 15-17 kg plastic cases.
PRODUCTION: The average yield is of 4.486 kg of grape per hectare for the Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.203 kg of grape per hectare for the Cabernet Franc, and 6.431 kg of grape per hectare for Merlot. 40.000 bottles total production.
WINE MAKING METHODS: Raceme and grape selection, cold maceration, fermentation in small pools with controlled temperatures.
CONSERVATION: The wines base is kept in oak barrels for a period of 18 months -10 months as a pure varietal and 8 months as a Blend-. The rest (Malbec) is wine that is kept during 8 months in oak barrels until the final cut, when Don Tiburcio is born.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
Alcohol: 13.5
Total acidity: 4.68
PH: 3.85
SENSORY PROFILE:
Color: Shinny with combined shades of purple from the Malbec and touches of ruby typical of cask wines-
Aroma: Predomination of mature red fruits and a touch of chocolate vanilla provided by the Blend.
Taste: Intense, fruited, with soft tannins and an impressive and persistent finale.
RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE: 15ºC to 17ºC.
Juan Benegas Malbec - This varietal a 100% Malbec was produced out of specially selected vineyards from the province of Mendoza in Argentina. These vineyards, located on the Andes slopes mountains, are blessed with an exceptional climate and soil that allows the production of a unique wine, with a typical argentine character. WINEMAKER: Federico Benegas Lynch.
WINEMAKER CONSULTANT: Michel Rolland.
ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina.
PRODUCTION: 40.000 bottles.
WINE MAKING METHODS: Raceme and grape selection, cold maceration, fermentation in small pools with controlled temperatures.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
Alcohol: 14
Total Acidity: 4.78
PH: 3.7
Residual sugar: 2.06
SENSORY PROFILE:
Color: Red color with violet hints.
Aroma: Primarily, it shows red fruit and floral aromas.
Taste: Intense, with a great lasting and persistence in the mouth. Sweet tannins, with no drying effects.
RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE: 15ºC to 17ºC.
