Bodega Chacra - Patagonia

Founded in 2004 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, Bodegas Chacra is a boutique winery in Patagonia’s Río Negro Valley, dedicated to crafting world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Piero, the grandson of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, the legendary creator of Sassicaia, sought a unique terroir to produce elegant, terroir-driven wines. His search led him to Patagonia, where old vines, a pristine climate, and biodynamic farming practices shape Chacra’s distinct identity.

Established in 2004 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, grandson of the legendary Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, creator of Sassicaia, Bodega Chacra is a breathtaking masterclass in cool-climate winemaking. Located in the Rio Negro Valley of northern Patagonia, Argentina, the estate is situated in an arid, wind-swept desert environment sustained by glacial meltwater rivers. Piero’s goal was simple yet audacious: to find abandoned, old-vine Pinot Noir plots and listen to the untouched voice of the land, proving that Argentina could produce elegant, ethereal reds that rival the finest Grand Crus of Burgundy.

The Magic of Old, Pre-Phylloxera Vines The foundation of Bodega Chacra's legendary status lies in its extraordinary vine material. The region's isolation has kept it completely free from phylloxera, allowing the estate to farm some of the oldest, ungrafted Pinot Noir vines in the world:

• The 1932 Vineyard: A singular block planted nearly a century ago. These ancient, low-yielding vines produce fruit with an astonishing natural balance, deep concentration, and fine-grained tannins.

• The 1955 Vineyard: A slightly younger block that yields Pinot Noir of immense aromatics, showing exceptional tension, bright red fruit purity, and structural grace.

Strict Biodynamics and Conscious Minimalism Bodega Chacra is a living ecosystem. The estate is farmed strictly according to organic and biodynamic principles, relying on cover crops, natural composts, and the fierce Patagonian winds to naturally protect the vines. In the cellar, the winemaking is completely transparent:

• The Fermentation: Grapes are harvested by hand in the cool morning air and fermented using only indigenous yeasts in small, custom-shaped concrete tanks.

• The Oak Regime: To protect the delicate, transparent nature of Pinot Noir, Piero uses a minimal amount of new oak. Many wines are aged primarily in neutral French oak barrels or unlined concrete vats, ensuring the primary fruit and mineral terroir are never masked by heavy wood flavors.

The Iconic Collaboration: Chacra Chardonnay While initially famous for its Pinot Noir, Bodega Chacra shook the global wine world by partnering with legendary Burgundian winemaker Jean-Marc Roulot (of Domaine Roulot fame). Together, they craft highly allocated, mineral-driven Chardonnays from Patagonia’s calcareous soils, utilizing Roulot's precise, non-interventionalist pressing and aging techniques.

The Portfolio Highlights Our collection features the complete, acclaimed lineup from this Patagonian oasis:

• Chacra Barda: The estate’s vibrant introduction. Sourced from younger vines, it is fresh, juicy, and bursting with bright notes of wild raspberry, plum, and a hint of sandalwood.

• Chacra Cincuenta y Cinco (1955): An extraordinarily aromatic Pinot Noir, fermented whole-cluster to yield an ethereal profile of dried flowers, crunchy cranberry, and precise acidity.

• Chacra Treinta y Dos (1932): The jewel in the crown. A structured, profound, and deeply intellectual wine with notes of dark cherries, turned earth, tea leaves, and incredible cellaring potential.

• Chardonnay Mainqué & Chacra: The stunning results of the Roulot partnership—saline, tense, and laser-focused Chardonnays reminiscent of fine Meursault but with a distinct South American energy.

A Collector’s Obsession Bodega Chacra has fundamentally shifted the conversation around Argentine wine. These are not the massive, heavily oaked reds of the past; they are delicate, perfumed, and profoundly transparent expressions of a singular terroir. Consistently receiving near-perfect scores from global critics, they are highly sought-after gems that pair beautifully with roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, or herb-crusted lamb.

Shop Bodega Chacra at ZYN Discover the depth of our Bodega Chacra collection in-store at ZYN Calgary or browse our curated inventory online at ZYN.ca. We offer expert-led selection for collectors and enthusiasts looking to secure South America's most elegant allocation.