When in the mid-1990s Concha y Toro, Chile?s leading wine producer, announced its successful purchase a collection of vineyards (now accounting for 3,185 acres) in the Mendoza region of neighboring Argentina, there was little doubt on either side of the Andes that change was in the air. Wind is the agent of change, so it was only fitting that the new venture was named ? Trivento? (Three Winds), a whimsical reference to three winds that sweep through Mendoza and are such a distinguishing feature of the region?s climate and environment. Purchase of vineyards was quickly followed by construction of a state-of-the-art winery equipped with the latest and most advanced winemaking technology. Oversight of the new property was assigned to General Manager Tomas Larrain, with winemaking responsibilities entrusted to the talented Argentinean winemaker Federico Galdeano. A native of Mendoza and graduate of Chile?s renowned Catholic University in Santiago, Galdeano has brought to Trivento an international flair acquired from past experience working for high-profile wineries in Tuscany and the Napa Valley, as well as Argentina. To further underscore its commitment to its Argentinean property, Concha y Toro has enticed the internationally famed Italian consulting enologist Alberto Antonini to lend his expertise to Trivento. Antonini?s roster of clients includes some of the most celebrated wine estates in Italy and South America. Trivento?s principal vineyards are located in the Uco Valley, Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo, San Martin and Rivadavia districts of Mendoza ? a wine region that exemplifies the advantages of high-altitude viticulture. Here, significant differences between day and night temperatures help minimize the risk of pests and disease. Vineyards that receive barely 8 inches of rainfall a year are irrigated with natural snow melt from the Andes. Not least, vineyards can count on the beneficial effects of the three seasonal winds for which the Trivento winery is named. The icy Polar wind in winter forces sap deep within the vines. It is succeeded by the Zonda, which races in from the Andes, its warmth rousing dormant sap to generate new spring growth. In the summer months a third wind, the Sudestada, provides a welcome respite from the searing sun and helps to temper ripening. Fast-forward to the present day and Trivento can point to a flourishing international reputation as a leading name in fine quality wines from Argentina?s premier wine region. Today Trivento embraces a comprehensive range of wines, starting with Trivento Reserve, a line of five varietals that expertly illustrate the quality and competitive value that Argentinean wines can offer. Trivento subsequently released its much admired limited edition Trivento Golden Reserve wines. At the pinnacle of offerings is Trivento Eolo, a super-premium reserve Malbec that debuted with a 93 rating in the June 2008, issue of Wine Spectator magazine. The winery?s latest release, Amado Sur, honors the marriage between the vines and the foothills of the Andes Mountains, where grapes develop complexity and unique expressions that could only be described as ? a love of the south ? or Amado Sur. At every level, Trivento are designed to provide the wine lover with superb value and an authentic expression of the world-class potential of Argentinean winemaking and terroir.
