Tahuan

HISTORY 

Sometimes new, marvelous places produce strong sensations in our mind and body. Founded by Ernesto Catena, a fourth generation winemaker of Italian descent, the story of Tahuan began when Ernesto first became enchanted by the Tahuantinsuyu, the realm of the Inca culture. Through commerce and religion, the Incas conquered most of the Andean tribes, and in their quest for union they built a network of roads connecting all the Andean micro-cultures from Quito to Mendoza. It is on one such road that Ernesto first dreamed of honoring the culture of the Tahuantinsuyu, the quechua expression for “The Found Lands United”, with Tahuan wines. Tahuan produces 100% varietal wines from selected old vineyards at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. After fermenting in small tanks, they are aged in American and French oak barrels for no less than eight months, and then aged in bottle until ready to be released. These wines best reflect how Mendoza’s unique terroir can influence the varietals personality. 

PHILOSOPHY 

Having spent a part of his life working as a designer and being a fervent student of the Renaissance humanism, Ernesto sees it as his mission to transform everything in his wine world into art, from growing the grapes to making wine to selling it. Ernesto understands the winery and vineyard as a home for an artist to create and commune with nature; to be one with the poetic nature of life. To truly understand the magic, they invite you to come and visit the home of Ernesto, poeta del vino. From the beginning, Ernesto searched for people with a strong creative drive to make sure that the right values stood at the core of the company. Teamwork is at the center of everything they do, from farming to winemaking and business decisions. They want their work to be fun intense, and meaningful. They don’t fear mistakes, but rather they want to learn from them because for them that’s the only way to learn. They strive for perfection not only in their wines but also in the spirit with which they make them. To share a meal, to enjoy the fruits of their labor – these are the things that matter to them. 

CONSERVATION 

Over the years, Ernesto and his team designed their biodynamic farm and vineyard as a sculpture to be gazed upon from the sky, similar to how the Maya and the Inca designed their cities to be enjoyed by the gods. The vineyard is surrounded by natural flora and fauna that help them achieve a state of harmony and equilibrium. They pay homage to the Sun in their Rose Garden and to the Moon in their Vine Labyrinth with music and dancing.