Wine Industry Report

Argentine winery wins multiple medals at Decanter 2007 World Wine Awards.

Andeluna Cellars, a new winery in the famed Mendoza region of Argentina, announced its 2003 Limited Reserve Cabernet Franc was awarded the coveted Decanter World Wine Awards International Trophy for best Bordeaux Single Varietal over £10. The winery was chosen to receive the award over several other distinguished Decanter Regional Trophy winners, including Trefethen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Oak Knoll District, California 2002; Wolf Blass, Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia 2004; and Cederberg Five Generation Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa 2004.

“This is the highest award a winery can receive in the Bordeaux Single Varietal category,” said Mike Kenter, VP of Sales and Marketing for Andeluna Cellars. “We are extraordinarily pleased and proud that our wine has received this high honor from such an important and renowned international wine competition.”

Award representatives were admittedly surprised to see a Cabernet Franc win in best Bordeaux Single Varietal over £10 category, with the winning trophy historically going to a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. “In the end,” they said, “an Argentinean Cabernet Franc came up trumps, beating three other very strong contenders - all Cabernet Sauvignon. In the space of just three vintages, young winemaker Silvio Alberto… has produced wine that is attracting critical acclaim.”

Decanter critics describe Andeluna’s 2003 Limited Reserve Cabernet Franc as “elegant, leafy, raspberry and liquorice aroma…a fine weave and good mouthfeel. An elegant and complex finish.”

Andeluna Cellars’ wines were also awarded seven additional medals at the event. Among the top awards were a gold medal for its 2003 Grand Reserve Pasionado (a Bordeaux-style blend, SRP $50), and both gold and Regional medals for its 2003 Limited Reserve Cabernet Franc (one hundred percent Cabernet Franc, SRP $50).

“Andeluna Cellars has shown extremely well in this year’s international competitions,” said Kenter. “The winery has been awarded 54 medals, including 24 gold, platinum, and double gold medals, and three Best of Class awards in just nine international competitions last year, and it is well on its way to besting that record. We are especially proud of the recognition we have received this year from the Decanter World Wine Awards.”

Andeluna Cellars is located at the foothills of the Andes, near the town of Tupungato in Mendoza, the premier wine region of Argentina. Built at an elevation of 4,300 feet, the winery is surrounded by 170 acres of mature vineyards that produce Bordeaux varietals of the finest premium quality. The winery has capacity to produce 60,000 cases of fine wine annually. Andeluna Cellars is owned by well-known international businessman H. Ward Lay, founder of Pepsi-Gamex and State Fair Foods, and son of the late Herman W. Lay (founder of Frito-Lay and former Chairman of the Board of Pepsico). The winery was born of the vision of Lay and world-class grape grower Ricardo Reina Rutini. Andeluna Cellars award-winning wines include Winemaker’s Selection Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, priced at $13; Reserve Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, priced at $23; and a Limited Reserve Cabernet Franc, and the Grand Reserve Pasionado, priced at $50 each.

Additional information can be found at www.andeluna.com