Bodegas Mauricio Lorca

The Winemaker
At the age of 21 Mauricio Lorca was all set to begin studying medicine and become a doctor. Around this time, however, a representative from the Mendoza School of Enology came to give a presentation to Mauricio and his fellow students. From that moment onwards, much to the bemusement of his family, Mauricio decided to dedicate his life to making wine. His career began at the world famous Catena Zapata winery; two years later he joined Michel Torino in Salta in the far north of the country. Later, aged just 24, he returned to Mendoza as Head Winemaker at Luigi Bosca. Four years later he took a similar post at the giant Finca la Celia winery. In all of these ventures Mauricio achieved great results and won the respect of many, so much so that he now advises more than 20 wineries in Argentina! In 2002 he established his own winery - Bodega y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca – where he produces a wide range of fantastic wines. Mauricio is one of the few winemakers in Argentina distinguished by the American wine critic Robert Parker with a score of 96 points. He is a man who puts his heart and soul into winemaking, because he is a perfectionist, and because he hates paperwork. The results are beautifully crafted, deeply concentrated yet elegant wines. Once asked what grape variety he would compare himself to, he said Petit Verdot, with good colour and structure.

The winery
Located in Perdriel in Lujan d Cuyo, 25km from the centre of Mendoza.

The vineyards
Vista Flores in Tunuyan in the Uco Valley at 1,050 metres above sea level.  The vineyard was established in 1999.  There are 30 hectares, of which 27 are planted:  Malbec 12.5 ha; Cabernet Sauvignon 5.8ha; Syrah 3.5ha; Petit Verdot 1.4 ha; Cabernet Franc 0.8ha; Sauvignon Blanc 1.75ha; Viognier 1.35ha.  Uco Valley vines are said to produce wine with more floral notes and more elegance.  The Torrontes is grown under contract with Valle de La Puerta (winemaker Mauricio Lorca is a consultant there) in Famatina Valley in La Rioja at about 1000m above sea level where the density is 2500 vines per ha.

The vines
Mauricio Lorca is focused on managing the wine in the vineyard and will limit the grape clusters to one or two per shoot, thus forcing the vine to work on fruit production in a very concentrated way. The Torrontes in La Rioja has an average age of 30 years old and the vines use the pergola training system. The yield is 13 tonnes per hectare!