MANOS NEGRAS, Argentina

Having worked as vineyard director for Bodega Catena Zapata for 16 years, he pioneered high-altitude vineyard planting and conducted ground-breaking research into Mendoza’s Malbec clones. With Manos Negras, Alejandro combines his love of minerality and altitude with a magical touch in the winery to produce some of the region’s most terroir-driven wines. Not only altitude but also latitude play a part in the wines from Manos Negras all capturing the spirit of Manos Negras through a myriad of soil types and grape expressions.

Viticulture

Alejandro joined Manos Negras in 2010 as one of Argentina’s most gifted viticulturists. Few people can explain the country’s different terroirs as well – and in three different languages. Following a year at the prestigious Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique in France, he went on to run the viticultural research and development side of Bodega Catena Zapata for 16 years. Sejanovich’s experience with Catena means that he knows Argentina’s vineyards intimately and is able to source the right material to express his distinctive range of styles. ‘Great vineyards are a winery’s most important asset,’ he says.

Winemaking

Wild yeast strains are used for fermentation, with the whites being produced with no malolactic fermentation or oak influence. The Reds are aged in old French oak, with a very small proportion of new oak. Both red and white undergo a cold maceration and cold fermentation.