San Juan

San Juan, located just north of Mendoza, is Argentina's second-largest wine-producing region but often flies under the radar. Bathed in intense sunshine and defined by its hot, arid climate, San Juan is a powerhouse for robust, full-flavored red wines. While it has historically been known for high-volume production, a new generation of winemakers is unlocking the potential of its unique valleys to produce high-quality wines, especially powerful Syrah and fruit-forward Bonarda.

Food Pairings with San Juan Wines

Syrah: A great match for barbecued meats, grilled sausages, and hearty stews.
Bonarda: Pair with pizza, pasta with red sauce, or burgers.
Viognier: Excellent with spicy dishes, roasted chicken, or creamy cheeses.

Geography & Climate

San Juan is one of the sunniest and driest places on earth, receiving over 330 days of sunshine a year. The climate is intensely hot and arid, even more so than in Mendoza. Successful viticulture depends on irrigation from the San Juan and Jáchal rivers and on finding cooler microclimates in its valleys.

Vineyards are planted across a range of altitudes, but the most promising sites are found in higher valleys like the Pedernal Valley, where the elevation provides cooler temperatures and limestone soils, leading to more elegant and structured wines.

History of San Juan

Like its neighbors, San Juan’s viticultural history began with Spanish colonization. For centuries, it was a region focused on producing high-yields of grapes for bulk wine and grape concentrate, often for the domestic market. Its reputation was for quantity over quality. However, in recent decades, significant investment and a focus on cooler, higher-altitude sub-regions have started to change this perception.

Winemakers are now harnessing the intense sun to produce ripe, expressive, and high-quality varietal wines that offer incredible value.

Subregions and Appellations

The largest and most traditional growing area, known for its warm climate and producing ripe, fruit-driven wines.

A high-altitude, cooler sub-region with limestone soils that is quickly gaining a reputation for producing San Juan's most elegant and complex red wines, especially Malbec and Syrah.

A warm valley known for producing ripe and powerful red wines.

Signature Wine Styles

Red

San Juan has made Syrah its signature grape. The intense sun produces rich, powerful, and spicy Syrahs with notes of blackberry, plum, black pepper, and sometimes a savory, meaty character. Bonarda also thrives here, producing deeply colored, fruit-forward wines with soft tannins. Malbec from San Juan is typically riper and fuller-bodied than from other regions.

White

While red grapes dominate, the region also produces aromatic whites. Viognier shows great promise, developing rich stone fruit and floral notes. Torrontés is also grown, typically in a riper, more tropical style than in Salta.

Notable Producers

Graffigna

One of the oldest and most historic wineries in San Juan, known for its pioneering work with Syrah.

Finca Las Moras

A modern and innovative winery that has helped put San Juan on the quality wine map, especially with its "Dada" line and premium Syrahs.

Pyros Wines

A winery focused exclusively on the unique terroir of the Pedernal Valley, producing terroir-driven, high-end Malbec and Syrah.

Bodegas Callia

A large, modern producer in the Tulum Valley known for its excellent value Syrah and Shiraz-Malbec blends.

Fun Facts about San Juan

San Juan is Argentina's second-largest wine-producing province after Mendoza.
The "Zonda" is a hot, dry wind that can sweep through the region, dramatically affecting the grapes.
The Pedernal Valley is a geologically unique site with a high concentration of limestone, a soil type rare in Argentina.
The province is a major producer of raisins and table grapes in addition to wine.

San Juan

Quick Facts

Key Grape Varieties

Red Varieties

White Varieties