Viña Cobos

Viña Cobos - Young wine production at the foot of the Andes

The Californian oenologist Paul Hobbs and his two Argentinian colleagues Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud gave the starting signal for the quality wine production of Viña Cobos in 1999. Two years earlier, wine lovers decided to produce premium wines in the Mendoza province of Argentina. The production conditions for wines rich in extracts are ideal. The winery was founded in Pedriel, at the foot of the Andes. With a latitude of 33° South, the growing region is closer to the equator than Bordeaux (44.4° North) or the Californian Napa Valley (38° North). Thanks to the Andes, which act as a blockade against the Pacific Ocean, the microclimate is semi-arid and therefore drier than in comparable areas. Thus, vine diseases or pests such as phylloxera do not occur.

Three oenologists - one passion

Andrea Marchiori, her husband Luis Barraud and Paul Hobbes are not blank pages in the wine scene. Andrea and Luis worked during and after their studies in oenology in different wine productions of Argentina and are closely connected with the country and the culture. Paul Hobbes, also an oenologist, worked for many years as a consultant to major names in the industry before founding Paul Hobbes Winery in 1991. In 1997 the three wine lovers met in California and the idea to found Viña Cobos in Argentina was born. Trusting in their key competences, the founding members share the tasks. Paul works as a consultant, contributing his experience in the ageing of oak barrels, Andrea coordinates and her husband Luis is the head cellar master. The result is great, full-bodied wines that reflect the temperament of South America.