The "house of sand", for that is what Casarena means, a reference to the ochre hue of its buildings, is nestled in the heart of Perdriel, one of the most renowned sub-zones of Luján de Cuyo. At 940–960 metres of altitude, at the foot of the Andes, this 160-hectare estate embodies a philosophy rare in Argentina: that of a unique terroir explored in all its dimensions, parcel by parcel, soil by soil.
History / Heritage
The Casarena project was born in 2008, but it draws on a century-old history. The bodega's buildings date from 1937, constructed in the heart of Perdriel at a time when Mendoza was beginning to structure its major wine-growing zones. Two of the estate's four vineyards, Owen and Jamilla, bear vines planted in 1930 and 1995 respectively: the continuity between genetic memory and contemporary ambition is at the heart of the house's identity. The current team has carried out an in-depth scientific exploration of every soil, seeking to reveal all possible expressions of the same grape variety according to its exact location within the valley.
The Terroir
Casarena possesses four vineyards with distinct profiles within Luján de Cuyo : Owen (planted in 1930, at 960 m altitude), Jamilla (1995, clay and pebbles from the old Mendoza riverbed), Naoki, and Lauren. Together they cover a range of sandy-clay soils, outcropping limestones, alluvial pebbles, and deep clays, signatures that allow Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc to be explored from constantly different angles. The altitude and aridity of the high Andean desert impose great day-to-night temperature variations, the key to the aromatic freshness and complexity of the wines.
Viticulture and Winemaking
Viticulture at Casarena is founded on a thorough understanding of the soil: in-depth geological studies have made it possible to map every parcel and adapt harvesting and winemaking accordingly. The practices are carefully considered and oriented towards preserving the identity of each plot. In the cellar, the different parcels are vinified separately to better identify their characters before blending, or bottled as single-vineyard wines for the top-of-the-range cuvées. Ageing combines new and used French oak barrels according to the grape variety.
Wines / Key Cuvées
Casarena's flagship range is the "Single Vineyard" series, which explores the great grape varieties vineyard by vineyard. The Owen Malbec, from the centenary vineyard planted in 1930, is its pinnacle: a wine of controlled concentration, with aromas of plum, violet, and cocoa, and a tannic structure that is both firm and silky. The Naoki Cabernet Sauvignon brings freshness and vibrancy, with its notes of blackcurrant, mint, and gentle spice. The entry-level Reservado cuvée, meanwhile, offers a solid quality-to-price ratio on both Malbec and Chardonnay, faithful to the identity of the Luján de Cuyo terroir.
Casarena proves that in Argentina, the finest terroir is not always the one you might expect: Luján de Cuyo, with its old vines and complex soils, can rival the world's greatest addresses.
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