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News
Achaval Ferrer acquires Bodega Melipal in Mendoza
SPI Group-owned Argentine winery Achaval Ferrer has bought Bodega Melipal located in the Agrelo region of Mendoza, together with its prized Malbec vineyard planted in 1923, for an undisclosed sum.
Achaval Ferrer has stated the acquisition of the Melipal winery and its vineyards will enable the brand to enter new markets. Included in the acquisition is the Las Nazarenas vineyard, a 25-hectare Malbec vineyard planted in 1923 which Achaval Ferrer states will “reinforce the commitment of the bodega to produce unique wines”.
Based in Agrelo in the Luján de Cuyo department of Mendoza, Bodega Melipal also boasts another vineyard, planted in 2003 with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The estate has 74 hectares under vine in total.
The winery, which was founded in 2003, has the capacity to produce 830,000 litres of wine a year. Bodega Melipal makes wines under two brands – the Ikella and Melipal – which include a single vineyard expression sourced from Las Nazarenas as well as the Family Signature, made from selected rows from block 4 of Nazarenas. The estate also produces a late harvest Malbec from grapes picked in May.
Founded in 1998, Achaval Ferrer was one of several wines that helped to resurrect Malbec. Bought by Russia’s SPI Group, which owns Stoli Vodka, in 2011, the winery now forms part of the group’s wine division which also includes Arinzano, the first Pago wine in northern Spain. Its portfolio consists of three tiers of wines: Fincas (single vineyard wines); Quimera (blended wines); and Mendoza, with wines made from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
This follows news in January that Chilean wine giant VSPT is to acquire a number of wine brands and vineyards, as well as a winery, from Pernod Ricard Argentina. The brands involved include Graffigna, Colón and Santa Silvia, while VSPT will also be taking control of the Graffigna winery and vineyards Pocito and Cañada Honda in San Juan and La Consulta in the Uco Valley in Mendoza.