Bodega Chacra

Bodega Chacra was established in 2004 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta in the Rio Negro Valley of northern Patagonia. Piero, whose grandfather created the Tuscan wine Sassicaia, became interested in the region after tasting a Patagonian Pinot Noir at a blind tasting in New York City. He traveled to the area and discovered an abandoned vineyard planted with ungrafted Pinot Noir vines dating back to 1932. He purchased the property and began restoring the site to produce wines that focused on site specificity and transparency. The estate remains privately owned by the Incisa della Rocchetta family and operates under Piero's direct management.

The vineyards are located in the Mainqué district, where the arid desert climate is moderated by the confluence of the Limay and Neuquén rivers. Soils are primarily composed of alluvial pebbles, limestone, sand, and heavy red clay. The estate manages several parcels of old vines, including the original 1932 planting and additional blocks from 1955 and 1967. Farming is conducted according to strict organic and biodynamic principles, with certifications from Demeter and Argencert. In the cellar, the winemaking process emphasizes minimal intervention. Grapes are fermented using indigenous yeasts in small cement vats, and the wines are aged in a combination of concrete tanks and used French oak barrels to preserve fruit purity and aromatic detail.

The winery is most recognized for its single vineyard Pinot Noirs, particularly the Treinta y Dos and Cincuenta y Cinco bottlings. These wines helped establish a reputation for Patagonian Pinot Noir as a sophisticated, cool climate alternative to the riper Malbecs of Mendoza. In 2017, the producer expanded its range to include Chardonnay through a partnership with Burgundian winemaker Jean-Marc Roulot. These white wines, such as the Mainqué and Chacra Chardonnay, are noted for their saline acidity and mineral focus. The estate is widely regarded as a benchmark for South American Pinot Noir and has received high critical praise, including receiving wine of the year honors from international critics.