Alta Esperanza

Origin

The winery is in Tinogasta, Catamarca province. Its vineyards are planted between 1,550 and 1,920 metres above sea level.

In the early twentieth century the Longo family made wine by hand for their own table, as was the custom among Italian families from Foggia and Pietramontecorvino. Like many of them, some family members set off in search of a better future in the Americas.

So Vittorio Longo, Juan’s grandfather, sailed to Argentina and settled in Tinogasta. There he bought a 40-hectare property, raised a family devoted to quality wine and founded the first winery, Vittorio Longo, which over the years became the largest in the province.

Juan Longo, as passionate about wine as his father and grandfather, studied oenology at Don Bosco University in Mendoza, graduating top of his class. He worked as head winemaker at three wineries, including his father’s, until he set out to fulfil an old dream: a winery of his own.

With the support of his wife, Graciela Sesto, he built a small winery with modern construction and up-to-date technology, organic products and an original winemaking system: from crushing to storage, the wine moves from one vessel to the next by gravity. This keeps oxygen away and preserves the aromas and flavours of the grapes.

The winery started in 2008. Production grew year after year: 75,000 bottles in 2009 and 150,000 in 2010. About 70% is exported, to countries such as Denmark, Germany and Brazil.

It makes the Alta Esperanza and El Deseo ranges. Its Syrah brings together five different soils for a wine of great complexity: a deep ruby red, with red fruit, plums and figs, a sweet attack, soft tannins and a finish of ripe fruit and vanilla from its time in oak.