Bodega Malma
Overview
Estate
In the wild heart of Patagonia, Malma was born from the Viola family’s dream, who in 1999 planted the first vines in San Patricio del Chañar, creating one of the world’s southernmost wine regions. With 130 hectares in 43 plots, the winery honors its terroir through architecture that blends with the surrounding mesetas and bardas. Alongside production, Malma embraces wine tourism with tours, a restaurant, events, Casa Malma, Aldea de Terruño, and a wine shop, extending the experience beyond the vineyard.
Climate
San Patricio del Chañar’s dry climate, low humidity, and scarce rain ensure exceptional vineyard health. Abundant sunlight and wide thermal amplitude between warm days and cool nights foster slow, balanced ripening and preserve natural acidity, bringing freshness to the wines. Constant Patagonian winds further enhance this balance, reducing disease, refining fruit, and promoting thicker skins—key to concentration, structure, and character.
Soil
At 39° south latitude, the vineyards lie on ancient glacial beds with deep alluvial soils, sandy-loam textures, and stones ensuring drainage. This forces the vines to root deeply, naturally regulating vigor and promoting balanced yields. The outcome is grapes with purity and varietal identity, fine tannins, and precise concentration, yielding elegant, tense wines that clearly reflect their Patagonian origin.
Vineyards
Malma’s 130 hectares thrive on poor, stony soils that guarantee drainage and highlight terroir expression. Rooted deeply, vines produce grapes with purity and balance. Varieties include Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, all marked by health, elegance, and aromatic intensity. The dry climate, luminosity, thermal range, and constant winds allow slow ripening, preserved acidity, and concentration, shaping wines of freshness, structure, and character.
Cultivation
Sustainable practices guide vineyard management, with minimal interventions that preserve fruit integrity. Winds reduce the need for pesticides, supporting precise, block-by-block work that defines style and varietal purity. This approach enables microvinifications and small lots. The organic line Intemperie reflects this commitment, offering a transparent, environmentally conscious expression of Patagonian terroir.
Winery
Built near the vineyards, the winery ensures estate-only vinification. Grapes are carefully harvested to preserve integrity, fermented in small stainless-steel tanks with temperature control to highlight varietal character. Aging occurs in an underground cellar carved into a natural hill, where French oak barrels rest under optimal conditions. The philosophy is clear: respect the fruit and let it shine in wines that balance technology and tradition.
Family
The Viola family story is Malma’s foundation. In 1996, Julio Viola saw the potential of San Patricio del Chañar and planted the first vines in 1999. Since then, the family has been devoted to expressing terroir identity with vision and care. Today, Ana Viola leads as CEO, balancing sustainability, business, and environmental impact. With over 25 years of experience in Patagonia, the family remains committed to crafting wines that carry the essence of their land.
Winemaker
Winemaker Lucas Quiroga, trained in Mendoza and with over 20 years in Neuquén, is a key figure in Patagonia’s wine scene. Passionate about the region, he sees it as Argentina’s future wine frontier, thanks to its soils, climate, and natural conditions. His vision highlights freshness and elegance, whether in sparkling, young fruit-driven wines, or structured, age-worthy reds that maintain their natural vibrancy—a true reflection of Patagonian character.
Focus Point
• Wild, authentic, and remote.
• Sustainability and honest wines that express terroir—fresh, balanced, and aromatic.
• Tours, tastings, Patagonian gastronomy, art, and corporate or social events.
Marketing materials
-
Bodega Malma
Download