Alto Agrelo has become Argentina’s newest officially recognised winegrowing area following a campaign by Grupo Avinea to position the sub-region alongside some of Mendoza’s most prestigious terroirs.

The designation makes Alto Agrelo the fifth official GI in Luján de Cuyo – one of Mendoza’s most celebrated winemaking regions – joining Agrelo, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo and Vistalba. The move strengthens Mendoza’s framework for identifying and promoting its micro-terroirs on the world stage.

José Verdaguer, agricultural manager at Grupo Avinea, praised the National Institute of Viticulture’s (INV) decision to award GI status to Alto Agrelo, calling it a landmark moment for the region.

“This new recognition allows us to reinforce Alto Agrelo’s position as a distinctive origin, with a unique identity and great potential to compete in the most demanding markets,” he said.

The push for recognition was led by Grupo Avinea – part of the Alejandro Bulgheroni Family Vineyards and one of Argentina’s leading organic wine producers. The company compiled and presented a full technical dossier to the INV last year, documenting Alto Agrelo’s specific climatic, geological and geographical characteristics. This included data on its altitude, soil composition, temperature variations and viticultural history, as well as maps outlining the proposed boundaries.

The GI application process is designed to ensure that only regions with demonstrable uniqueness and a track record of quality winemaking receive protection. In Mendoza, GIs are a key tool in building global consumer awareness around provenance, much like appellation systems in Europe.

Grupo Avinea’s flagship estate in Alto Agrelo covers 232ha and is certified organic. The vineyard has become a benchmark for sustainable viticulture in the region, producing premium labels such as Argento Estate Bottled Organic Malbec and Artesano de Argento Organic Malbec.