Mendoza has a unique microclimate. Makia Estate is located in Uco Valley, at an altitude of about 1,200 meters above sea level. We are one of the best areas in Argentina and probably in the world for producing high quality wines. We have a set of features that make our region unique.
Uco Valley has a privileged territory and MAKIA is part of it.
1,200 meters above sea level, cold nights, days with bright unfiltered light thanks to the atmosphere being free from moisture, dry climate and a substantial difference in temperature between day and night.
Thanks to this high range in temperature, which also reaches 25C°, we can develop the complexity and aromatic intensity of our wines and obtain an extreme elegance of the same.
Thicker peel determines a greater presence of tannins and polyphenols.
Solar radiation provides an optimal development of the plant, enables perfect ripeness and concentration of the grapes, making a wine with great structure and softness.
The dry climate and the mainly sandy soils, allow the planting of ungrafted vine ( not grafted in the American rootstock ).
This is possible due to the fact that in this area there is no phylloxera.
Our plants have long roots that dig so deep into the ground and can better respond to environment stress, having more balanced foliage and less production.
Our area can count on an exceptional amount of sun-hours…20/25% more than countries of the old continent.
Increased quantity and intensity of sunlight means that the skin is thicker because the vine is trying to protect the seeds from the sun.
The grape skin is rich in tannins and polyphenols, compounds that give the taste of wine.
Thicker peel determines a greater presence of tannins and polyphenols.
Solar radiation provides an optimal development of the plant, enables perfect ripeness and concentration of the grapes, making a wine with great structure and softness.
The soil in our area is alluvial, sandy with fair amount of rocks, poor in organic matter, little fertile and with a stony layer of about 70 cm depth that gives an excellent permeability.
The gravel and rocky nature makes our soils well-drained and prevents the accumulation of water in the subsoil.
This facilitates concentration of the grapes and prevents the onset of diseases of the root of the vine.
Very low humidity and the lack of rain combined with the daily presence of a slight breeze coming from the Andes, create an extreme dry climate similar to that of a high altitude desert, encouraging the health of the grapes.
Thanks to this peculiarity, treatments to protect the vines from diseases have been almost entirely eliminated and vineyards are managed organically.
Mendoza has a continental climate and doesn’t fell the influence of the sea.
This is really unique because all the major wine regions are often affected by the sea and its influences. The dry and continental climate makes it possible to create an eco-sustainable culture. All Makia vineyards are irrigated through an automatic drip, allowing us to adjust the exact contribution of water to the plant in all different stages of development and at the same time, we save a lot of water, a key asset for environment sustainability. Mendoza can count on the accumulation of snow on the perennial giant glaciers of the Andes.