Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/41419
UP Up Front with Edgardo Del Pópolo of Argentina's Doña Paula by David Gadd Edgardo Del Pópolo grew up among the vines. His family was in the grape-growing business in Argentina's wine-rich Mendoza province, and it was only natural that he should go on to study enology and agronomy at Mendoza's Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, specializing in viticulture. Over the years, his reputation has grown in steady measure with his knowledge and experience, and he is now considered one of Argentina's leading viticultural consultants. Simply put, no one knows Argentina's terroir as well as Del Pópolo. When, in 1997, Chile's important Claro Group—already owners of Chilean pro- ducers Santa Rita and Carmen and partners with Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in Los Vascos—decided to establish a winery in Argentina, on the other side of the towering Andes, Del Pópolo was selected to become the facility's Head Viticulturalist and Operations Manager. His new job at nascent Doña Paula would draw on his intimate acquaintance with the vines, soils and microclimates of his native Mendoza. With its modern winery situated in a converted vermouth factory, Doña Paula's debut vintage was in 1999, but due to Argentina's disastrous hailstorms of 2000 and 2001, the brand's entry in to the international market was delayed until 2002. The brand's growth has been remarkable. Doña Paula is now found in more than 50 markets worldwide, and the winery sends 30 to 40 percent of its production to the States, enjoying a dynamic importer relationship with Napa-based Trinchero Family Estates. Doña Paula's Edgardo del Pópolo, photographed at sidebar at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, CA. Doña Paula's estate vineyards lie at the foot of the towering Andes Mountains. PHOTO: COUTESY OF DOÑA PAULA A Range of Terroirs "There's been a revolution in Argentina," says Del Pópolo. Argentines, with their heavily Italian-influenced heritage and lifestyle, have always been hearty wine drinkers. But in recent decades, the emphasis has switched from quantity to quality. Domestic consumption is actually down in Argentina, but with the country's focus on quality, foreign sales—especially in the United States—have grown enormously. Although the two neighboring South American countries are wine-producing rivals, "Chile is the largest investor in Argentina," explains Del Pópolo as THE TASTING PANEL catches up with him in Beverly Hills on a recent Stateside tour that would include stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Napa. "The Claro Group wanted to enlarge its portfolio across all the terroirs of South America." Doña Paula now has the luxury of four different estate vineyards in Mendoza, with a range of soils, elevations and climate conditions—from the El Alto "mother vineyard" / the tasting panel / september 201 1