In November, I had lunch with Anne Bousquet, owner and partner (along with her husband) at Domaine Bousquet winery in Argentina’s Uco Valley; Anne is the daughter of the founder, Jean Bousquet. I was excited to try the wines, not least because Domaine Bousquet is 100% organic.
But, I also wanted to know: Why would an established and successful winemaker in France sell everything to move to an arid, remote, and undeveloped region in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in South America?
Contents
The beginning: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Here’s his remarkable story: Jean Bousquet, a third-generation French winemaker, was a man with a plan. In 1990, he visited the Uco Valley in Mendoza to discover if it could support high-quality organic production.
With mountain peaks reaching an altitude of 5,000 feet (some of the highest in the world for winemaking) sunny days and cool nights, and almost zero rainfall, this was the ideal place to produce naturally elegant wines that combined his European heritage with the terroir of Mendoza: high altitude, dry, sunny, windy, and sandy soil.
courtesy Domaine Bousquet
The Uco Valley is a region in Mendoza and one of the driest wine regions in the world. While this can be a problem, it is also what allows successful organic farming. No fungus or other pests disturb the vines in this extreme climate.
Bousquet returned to France and divested himself of all his holdings there…even selling the family winery. Friends and family, including Anne, wondered if he was making a huge mistake.
He purchased a 900-acre parcel in the Tupangato appellation of Uco Valley in 1997. The land was virgin, absolutely pristine. There was no electricity, one dirt road, and no well for water. He had to dig four hundred feet to find water.
Domaine Bousquet becomes the first winemaker to export their own wines.
Despite the obstacles, in 2005, he had his first harvest. This is where his daughter Anne Bousquet and her husband Labid Al Ameri came into the picture. Jean asked them to help him market the wines. Anne had a successful career as an economist, and her husband was a financial advisor.
Domaine Bousquet today. photo courtesy of Domaine Bousquet
This clever duo devised a plan to sell the wines at Pro Wein. They purchased the wine themselves, and then stored it in a facility in Brussels, allowing them to sell smaller quantities with a lower commitment to interested customers. It was a turning point. At that time, Domaine Bousquet became the first winemaker to also export their wines.
In 2009, the couple moved to Argentina. Jean Bousquet retired, selling the business to the couple, who run the winery full-time. He still lives on the land and farms a ninety-nine-acre parcel he kept out of the sale.
Interested in sustainable and organic wines? Read about this organic winemaker in Willamette Valley, Oregon.
As the business has grown, Ann has doubled down on organic and sustainable practices. photo courtesy of Domaine Bousquet
Ann Bousquet commits to biodynamic winemaking
The difference between being engaged and married is how Anne describes the company’s commitment to sustainable and organic wine production. The proof of this commitment is seen by Domaine Bousquet being the most awarded organic winery in the world. Further, they are the first winery in Argentina and the fourth globally to achieve Regenerative Organic Certification from the Regenerative Organic Alliance.
This special certification emphasizes soil health and land management, animal welfare, and equity between farmers and workers. Almost all of the Domaine Bousquet vineyards will achieve 100% biodynamic certification in 2024.
To me what is most impressive about Domaine Bousque is the commitment to the local people. Many of the employees had no experience. The company trained them and collaborated with other wineries in the area. Many employees at Domaine Bousquet started in entry-level positions and are now in management roles. This commitment to people goes hand in hand with their dedication to leaving the land as pristine as they found it for future generations.
Today, the company includes offices in the US, Europe, and Brazil. They produce over 7,000,000 bottles, and 50% of their business is in the USA.
The strength of Domaine Bousquet is the ability to produce high-quality, organic wine for a very reasonable price. All of the wines are very drinkable when young, but can be aged if desired.
courtesy Domaine Bousquet
Tourism and Domaine Bousquet
The winery in Mendoza is open to tourism and there is a restaurant and nine-room boutique hotel onsite with gobsmacking views of the Andes mountains. Aside from indulging in gastronomic experiences, you can enjoy horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, and photography workshops.
The Uco Valley is still remote but the bustling city of Mendoza is not far away. If visiting off-the-radar wine regions is your jam, go now. And if you like drinking excellent wine without raiding your IRA account, you should try Domaine Bousquet. For tourism information use this link.
The wines
I have notes about the wines I tasted below though this is by no means all on offer. In total there are six different lines. I liked all of the wines I tried, though I did have a favorite or two; wine tasting is highly subjective. I can honestly say that if you are looking for excellent quality organic wines that are ridiculously affordable and you like French wine varietals, these wines combine the best of the family’s French heritage with the terroir of Mendoza.
2022 Domaine Bousquet Organic Rosé: This rosé is made in the Charmat method with the second fermentation in the tank. It’s 75% pinot noir and 25% chardonnay. I tasted refreshing and lively bubbles with nice red fruits like raspberries, a hint of cherry, and grapefruit. This wine is a Wine Enthusiast 100 best buy.
If you prefer a traditional method sparkling wine, Domaine Bousquet has three other bottlings,
2021 Virgen Red Blend: The Virgen Red Blend is 35% malbec, 35% cabernet sauvignon, and 30% cabernet franc. It is made with estate fruit that is 100% organic and USDA-certified. And for those of you who complain that sulfites give you a headache, this wine is made for you: NO sulfites!
2021 Gaia Malbec: This line from DB, named after the Greek earth goddess Gaia, blends estate-grown fruit with one grape comprising 50% of the mix. Blending varieties is an old style of winemaking that results in a wine that is usually very easy to drink and pairs well with many foods. This wine is a beautiful violet color, and tastes of dark red and purple fruits, but is fresh and fruity with mild tannins.
2022 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: This wine is 85% cabernet sauvignon and 15% malbec, and aged in oak for ten months. I loved this wine, and cabernet sauvignon is not my go-to normally. Smooth and silky, this wine was easy to drink. You could also age it at least ten years.
