Adversity breeds character

Dear Reader,

You may recall our ranch in Argentina… the ongoing issues with the Originarios… and our signature wine, Tacana Malbec.

Well, earlier this year we got the news… 

This year's grape harvest is in, and it’s a disaster!

Grape production was cut in half by an unexpected frost in October... Right at the onset of the flowering process. 

As they say, adversity breeds character. We’ll see...

Our Gualfin Ranch, nestled in the heart of the Calchaqui Valley in Salta, northern Argentina, is more than just a piece of land. It's a legacy, a dream, and a home to many. 

The vineyard sits at an elevation of 8,400 feet in a desert oasis planted with just 20 acres of the Malbec grape varietal.

With its vast landscapes and azure skies, Gualfin has always been a challenging terrain. Traditional cattle operations, once the focus of the ranch, faced the brunt of changing weather patterns and economic upheavals. Our cattle, once numbering in the thousands, diminished as the pastures faded and the rivers dried.

We turned to wine-making to help keep the ranch alive. Not out of luxury, but out of necessity.

The high altitude of our vineyards, combined with the unique climate, gives our grapes an unparalleled richness. The thick skins of the grapes, a natural defense against the intense sunlight, are rich in polyphenols. These compounds, as research suggests, offer a plethora of health benefits, from antioxidant properties to cardiovascular health support.

The good news is that we just received the 2021 Tacana shipment to the US.  Most of it has already been claimed.  But we have a few bottles left.

The 2021 Tacana Reserva, matured in French oak barrels, has become my recent favorite – it's so smooth. Meanwhile, the 2021 Regular Tacana, with its rich taste, remains a top pick for many people -- a 'stronger' wine than most people are used to.  

Our wine is only available by subscription. And for our loyal Dear Readers we have a special offer that's too good to resist.

Remember, it’s more intense than the wine you’re probably used to. Goes great with meat. The Argentines drink it with their big steaks, for example. We drink it with everything, everyday. 

Other wines now taste feeble in comparison. Offer it to friends and neighbors. See what they say. 

And, if you think it did not live up to the promises and claims we’ve made for it, just say so. We’ll be happy to refund your money. It’s the same offer we make every year.

No need to send anything back. We’ll take your word for it. Whatever else can be said, I'm pretty sure we're the only winemakers who will make you an offer like this:  You get to enjoy our wine, and if you don’t like it, it's on us! We're pretty confident you'll love it.

For a short window, we're rolling out a tempting offer: a mixed case of six bottles of Tacana and six of our unique RESERVA. All from the same grape, same spot, same harvest season. But here's the twist: this wine's been resting in French oak barrels we specially ordered. It chills there for two years before we bottle it up. This process softens its punch a bit, making it smoother, gentler, and with a hint of honey on the nose. 

But here's the catch: our stock's limited. So, hop on this offer before everyone else does. We've got just a few cases of our regular wine, and just a few bottles of the RESERVA. Miss out now, and you'll have to wait until next year.

We're going back to last year's prices, but only for a short while. Here are the rates for this week:

Current and Pre-sale Prices:

- Tacana: $270.00 for 6 bottles

- Mixed Case (6 Tacana + 6 Reserva): $595.00 for 12 bottles

- Reserva: $450.00 for 6 bottles

New Prices (Post this week):

- Tacana: $295.00 for 6 bottles

-Mixed Case (6 Tacana + 6 Reserva): $635.00 for 12 bottles

-Reserva: $490.00 for 6 bottles

Remember, stocks are limited. Every bottle you purchase is a step towards preserving the legacy of Gualfin and supporting the families that call it home.

So, raise a glass, savor the rich flavors of our Argentine Malbec, and join us in our quest to keep the ranch alive.

Bill

P.S. As my son Will mentioned last week, Bonner Private Wines and Bonner Private Research are separate businesses. BPR receives a small commission on any wine sold to its readers. The wine was such a hit with BPR readers last year we decided to offer it again.