What are some top factors that make a wine country progressive? There’s the growth, popularity, demand, human rights, women’s rights, organics, sustainability, and the list goes on. How often do we see many of these attributing factors come together, creating a rolling wave of continuous momentum from one wine country? Argentina seems to be head and shoulders above the rest. But, why?

Here are three wineries that seem to encompass the overall progressive thinking that make Argentina an industry that has steam-rolled their way to a leading position of forward-thinking practices in the wine world.

Trapiche

Marcelo Belmonte, the Agricultural Engineer for Trapiche implements historic biodynamics within the vineyards. This ancient farming method is one of the purest ways to create organic and sustainable vineyards, using the lands natural offerings and moon cycles to guide vineyard management. Trapiche uses an organic approach of steering clear of chemicals and pesticides and uses natural fertilizers from their winery farm for the vines. Argentina’s dry and sunny climate make it a prime location for organic grape growing, and the number of organic certified wineries has almost doubled since 2014. Today, more than 161 vineyards in Argentina are now classified as certified organic. This eco-friendly outlook not only ensures top vineyard health but matches the direct market drive for more sustainable products.

Marcelo is also accredited with bringing innovative methods to Trapiche’s agricultural techniques such as introducing satellite imaging and soil electrical conductivity mapping. This is an example of how complacency is the enemy at Trapiche, and that this outlook is one that’s shared by most wineries in Argentina as an entire region. They continue to lay the building blocks of history upon history.

Susana Balbo

Susana Balbo became an important catalyst for female empowerment in the Argentina wine industry. Beginning with her commendable power move of naming a winery after herself. Her strong leadership was recognized by other women in wine, and provided them with the idea of equality entitlement they needed to step into strong leadership roles, which plays a major factor in the development of Argentina’s wine landscape today.

In a global industry that consistently boasts “king of” titles to popular male winemakers, Susana earned the title “Queen of Torrontes”, a royal appointment that was and still is practically unheard of for female winemakers anywhere else in the world. Argentina has a strong history of faming female leaders, and it began with Eleanor of Aquataine. A French (and English) Queen who championed the Malbec grape in her heartland of Cahors, which became Argentina’s signature grape as it ultimately flourished in hot and dry climates.

Additionally, the cornerstones of Susana Balbo’s winery entail innovation and sustainability, which is certainly a template for a reoccurring pattern of break strong and steadfast we see with the most successful wineries in Argentina.

Catena

Stemming from Catena’s dedication to their craft came the development of the Catena Institute of Wine. It’s here where Dr. Laura Catena has been leading in-depth scientific studies for two decades. Deriving quality from research that may be more diligent than any other wine studies in the world. From high-altitude climate variations, to sustainability protocol, the Catena Institute of Wine has been laying the groundwork of vineyard research to wine.

Read also: An interview with Leah Spooner and Laura Catena, Laura Catena: The Modern Matriarch of Argentine Wine

Argentina has propelled themselves into the position of the world’s fifth largest wine producer. Many Argentine wineries that we know and love today had a strong start, with continuous momentum of development and growth. They’ve bulldozed their way to equality and stayed ahead of the game in organics and sustainability thanks to their unique and dramatic terroir. Not only have they championed Malbec by reinventing its profile in to high-quality single-varietal wines of high-altitude, but they have also proven diversity by cultivating several other varieties that can easily stand against the world’s best.

The wine industry here thrives in an environment where history and innovation collide, and as it’s notably fiercely fueled by the passion of its’ members, past and present, this force won’t be slowing down any time soon.