A bodega which belongs to Zuccardi Valle de Uco. (Image via: Sir Chandler)

Argentina won the World's Best Vineyard Award

Au revoir, France, & addio, Italy! Felicidades, Argentina! Last week, the augural event of World’s Best Vineyard Awards is held in Banqueting House, London, UK. The event – as its name tells you – displays top-notch vine products from vineyards from all around the world and regions. There were approximately 3,500 votes by wine experts.

Of course, when it comes to wine, France and Italy are favored contenders to snatch the award, known for their Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Sangiovese, Barbera, and Dolcetto. Oh, how they were in for the surprise.

The 2019 World’s Best Vineyard Award went to Argentine’s winery, Zuccardi. Located in the valley of Uco (Valle de Uco), at the foot of the Andes mountains, the Zuccardi Valle de Uco winery – which has been running on business since 1963 - beat other 1,500 contestants from all over the world.

In 2016, the winery opened a new modernist bodega, designed by Tom Hughes, Fernando Raganato and Eugenia Mora. The new 8841.95 m2 bodega is located in San Carlos Department, Mendoza Province, Argentina.

Upon receiving the award, the managing director of Zuccardi Valle de Uco winery, José Alberto Zuccardi, said that the winery has entered its third managing generation.

Uruguayan’s bodega, Garzón, grabbed the runner-up for its sustainability, professionalism, and beauty in its management and wine & culinary activities. The third place went to López de Heredia Viña Tondonia of Spain. Named as “Europe’s best”, the winery is run by the family of López de Heredia for about 150 years. At its 125th anniversary, a notable British-Iraqi architect, Zaha Hadid, designed a pavilion for the Spanish winery.

New Zealand’s Rippon, at no. 8, grabbed the “Australasia's best”.

South America became the stars of the award last week. Top 10 wineries were dominated by 2 Argentine wineries, 2 Chilean, and 1 Uruguayan. Although Argentina grabbed the first prize as the “World’s best”, Chile dominated the award by listing 8 wineries on the top 50 standings.

Meanwhile, France and Italy, as the world’s most conservative in terms of winery, could not say to outdo the South American wineries. France’s Château Smith Haut Lafitte near Bordeaux sat on no. 16, and Italy’s Antinori nel Chianti Classico in Tuscany sat on no. 18.

For the top 10 wineries in the event, here are the world’s top 10 wineries:

1. Zuccardi Valle de Uco (Argentina), Best in South America

2. Bodega Garzón (Uruguay)

3. R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, S.A. (Spain), Best in Europe

4. Quinta do Crasto (Portugal)

5. Catena Zapata (Argentina)

6. (tie) Montes (Chile)

6. (tie) Clos Apalta Winery (Chile)

8. Rippon (New Zealand), Best in Australasia

9. Marqués de Riscal (Spain)

10. Weingut Dr. Loosen (Germany)

Source: https://www.phillytrib.com/lifestyle/the-world-s-best-wineries-for/article_26d7f709-daed-593e-926e-6937928d07e4.html