Old Vineyards
A vineyard is regarded as adult when it is fifteen to twenty years old. During this period, the vineyard is at its peak production level. As time passes, the vines will gradually become exhausted and produce less.
Between three and six years of age, production stabilizes and the fruit can be used commercially, as long as the climate agrees.
After adulthood has passed, the vine begins a slow decline that will take it to perish of old age.
But just like in human beings, death depends on several factors. Under healthy conditions for the vineyard, in soils with sufficient organic matter, with roots that can still breathe in spite of the depths they have reached, and, in the absence of pests, there are specimens that are over one hundred years old. Such is the case of the vineyards from where the grapes used to make Don Gonzalo varietal wines come from.
In Argentina, like in the rest of the world, old vineyards are rare. Nonetheless, when treated with love, they can be the source of wines that are unequaled in character, firm and robust, elegant and balanced. In other words, it is about knowledge that comes with the years.