Altos Las Hormigas brings Mendoza Malbec to Indonesia

Mendoza winery Altos Las Hormigas is introducing its precise interpretations of Argentine Malbec to the Southeast Asian nation, focusing on key markets like Jakarta and Bali. Rebecca Lo reports.

Argentine winery Altos Las Hormigas continues its expansion across Asia with its launch in Indonesia. Partnering with the country’s leading importer Primavine, the estate will focus on education, targeted activations and key on-trade initiatives in prime markets including Jakarta and Bali.

Indonesia has long been considered a complex yet promising wine market. The collaboration between Altos Las Hormigas, Primavine, and brand strategist Nimbility reflects their shared ambition to invest in the Southeast Asian nation. Their strategy is to build awareness and foster growth through consistent and meaningful trade engagement.

Altos Las Hormigas was established in 1995 by a group of Italian friends keen on producing terrior-driven wines with an emphasis on Malbec. Based in Mendoza, Argentina and co-founded by Tuscan winemaker Alberto Antonini and entrepreneur Antonio Morescalchi, the estate became known for its research into limestone soils and parcel selection.

Revolutionising Malbec

In the past three decades, Altos Las Hormigas gained a solid reputation as a pioneer in the South American country’s Malbec renaissance. The estate shifted the varietal’s perception to a more refined style rooted in soil identity while emphasising freshness and balance. The winery’s consistently high scores and recognition from industry experts including Tim Atkin MW, Robert Parker and James Suckling have enhanced its international position as a reference for Argentine Malbec.

Altos Las Hormigas’ curated portfolio introduces Indonesian consumers and trade professionals to a wide array of Altos Las Hormigas’ offerings while highlighting its commitment to organic viticulture and soil exploration. 

The collection includes La Danza Organic Malbec; La Danza Red Bled; Altos Las Hormigas Blanco; Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Clásico Organic in 750mL and magnum formats; Altos Las Hormigas Terroir Organic Luján de Cuyo Malbec; and Altos Las Hormigas Appellation Paraje Altamira.

Altos Las Hormigas fits naturally into Primavine’s network of brands that address Indonesia’s quickly evolving premium on-trade and engaged consumers eager to learn. As one of the country’s leading wine importers and distributors with a strong on-trade presence, Primavine partners with internationally recognised labels alongside boutique producers to align with current industry trends.

Indonesia: ‘exciting yet often overlooked’

“The quality and precision of Altos Las Hormigas wines immediately stood out to us,” said Bobby Corputty, Primavine’s wine specialist. “Their clarity of style and terroir-driven approach ensure the brand integrates seamlessly into our portfolio and will resonate both with trade professionals and increasingly knowledgeable consumers.”

“Altos Las Hormigas has always been about going beyond Malbec as a varietal and instead expressing the identity of each place we work with,” explained Antonio Morescalchi, co-founder with Altos Las Hormigas. “We are very proud to enter Indonesia with Primavine, a partner that understands the importance of building wines with meaning. We look forward to developing the market with a long term vision.”

“Indonesia is one of the most exciting yet often overlooked markets in Asia,” observed Pratham Wahi, export director at Nimbility. “It requires patience, consistency and a long term approach, but the fundamentals are strong. With a partner like Primavine and a brand as distinctive as Altos Las Hormigas, we are confident we can build sustainable momentum in the coming years.”

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