In 2004, Piero Incisa della Rocchetta had the ambition of bringing out the purest expression of the climate, microclimate and, more broadly, the terroir of Mainqué, in the Rio Negro region in Patagonia. To achieve this, he focused on biodynamism and organic farming. In this way, with the greatest respect for the environment and thanks to an unfailing ear and knowledge for nature, this daring enthusiast produces pure, delicate and floral wines with an intense minerality.
The estate has taken on a meaningful name to fully highlight its work. In Patagonia, "chacra" designates a particular piece of land intended for pomology, that being the cultivation of edible fruits. A name which brings to mind the extent to which the estate’s lands are designed for viticulture. Moreover, chacras are centres for vital energy which allow for a deep connection with the universe around us, and with living things in general. Wine, through the way in which it accompanies moments of enjoyment and sensitivity, embodies this idea of a connection to one’s senses.
Bodega Chacra is rooted at the heart of the Rio Negro region, lands borne from the junction between two rivers named Limay and Neuquén. They stretch into plains and a forest at an altitude of between 290 and 330 metres above sea level. There, the climate is windy and dry. Nevertheless, the irrigation canals dug by British settlers at the dawn of the 19th century make it, effectively, a "green lung" suitable for agriculture.
There, Bodega Chacra enjoys 24 hectares of vines solely made up of Pinot Noir. The austerity and complexity of this variety’s character makes it one of the most elegant in the world, with aromas of rose petal, mushroom, forest soil and earth which are unveiled over time, as well as lots of aromas of cherry and strawberry in its youth. The Pinot Noir has the ability to transform in a very short period of time, developing unique and unprecedented qualities in just a few years. This is why, behind every glass of Pinot Noir, there hides a deep and complex story to tell.
Bodega Chacra undergoes a very precise vinification process so as to magnify this terroir and grape variety. After the manual harvests, during which the best berries are carefully selected, the grapes are taken to the cellar. Maceration and fermentation in small, round vats, intense contact with the skins, sustainable extraction, use of indigenous yeasts, natural decanting, ageing in old, French oak…Bodega Chacra employs all of the methods for an estate that are just as natural as they are high-quality. This great precision and respect for the grapes, which lasts from harvests to bottling, ensure that the estate’s wines have a most pure and authentic character and make them among the most beautiful references in South America.
