The Buyer | Doña Paula Wines (Argentina)

Doña Paula is a leading estate winery in Mendoza, Argentina, dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that are authentic expressions of origin. The winery’s journey began in 1990, when the Claro Wine Group initiated an extensive search for Argentina’s most promising terroirs. This led to the acquisition of the first vineyard holdings in 1997, marking the inception of what would become one of Argentina’s foremost producers of premium wines.

Vineyards

Today, Doña Paula owns a total of 1,125 hectares in Mendoza’s most prestigious viticultural zones, with 738 hectares currently under vine. The estate’s vineyards are strategically situated in both Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, areas recognised for their altitude, soil diversity and exceptional climatic conditions:

Luján de Cuyo
Finca El Alto (Ugarteche)
Tupungato (Uco Valley)
Finca Aluvia (Gualtallary)
San Carlos (Uco Valley)
Finca Los Indios (El Cepillo)

All wines are produced exclusively from 100% estate-owned vineyards, ensuring full traceability and quality assurance from vineyard to bottle. Doña Paula’s wines are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, aligning with contemporary consumer preferences and dietary considerations.

Winemakers

The winemaking team comprises:

Martín Kaiser, chief winemaker.
Cristóbal Undurraga, wine director.
Andrea Tansini, ultra-premium brands winemaker.
Belén Tudela, premium brands winemaker.

Winemaking philosophy

Doña Paula’s viticultural and oenological philosophy is rooted in the pursuit of precision, sustainability and innovation. While Malbec remains the cornerstone of the portfolio, the winery has been at the forefront of varietal experimentation in Argentina, successfully cultivating Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Bonarda, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, among others. This commitment to diversification enhances the range and reinforces the brand’s position as a leader in Argentina’s evolving wine landscape.

Terroir in Focus

Launched in 2013 and led by head winemaker Martín Kaiser, Doña Paula Winery’s “Terroir in Focus” initiative is a comprehensive research project aimed at understanding how climate, soil, and vineyard practices affect the quality and character of each varietal across Argentina. The team conducted over 1,350 soil pits and 700 micro-vinifications to assess how terroir influences wine structure and aromatic profile, identifying optimal vineyard sites, such as the Aluvia vineyard in Gualtallary, which is now the exclusive source for their flagship Selección de Bodega Malbec. The research highlighted the impact of altitude, calcium carbonate-rich soils, and temperature variation on sensory attributes like complexity, minerality, and floral expression, reinforcing Doña Paula’s commitment to showcasing the unique identity of each terroir.

Wines

The portfolio comprises a tiered range designed to appeal to both on-trade and off-trade partners worldwide:

Los Cardos (as a stand-alone brand)
Estate
Single Vineyard Series
Altitude Series (969, 1100, 1290, 1350)
Aluvia (as a stand-alone brand)
Parcel Series
Selección de Bodega

The winery also maintains the highest standards of operational integrity, holding Grade AA certification under the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety.

In 2024, the winery initiated a structured transition towards organic certification and introduced regenerative agriculture practices across its key vineyards, reaffirming its long-term commitment to sustainability.

Doña Paula is part of the Santa Rita Estates group.

Currently, 85% of total production is exported to more than 55 countries, establishing Doña Paula as one of Argentina’s most internationally respected producers of estate-grown premium wines. The winery’s ongoing dedication to terroir-driven expression, technical excellence, and environmental stewardship continues to earn global recognition from the trade, critics, and consumers alike.

Milestones and Recent Accolades (2019–2025)

2019, Awarded Sustainable Certification Version 3.0 by Bodegas de Argentina, placing the winery among a select group of accredited producers in the country.
2020 – Martín Kaiser named Viticulturalist of the Year by Tim Atkin MW in his Special Argentina Report.
2021 – Doña Paula Estate Sauvignon Blanc awarded a Gold Medal at the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, the only Argentinian wine to be recognised among over 1,200 entries from 23 countries.
2022 – Doña Paula Estate Malbec named top-scoring “Value Argentine Malbec” by Decanter Magazine with 93 points.
2023 –
Altitude Series 969 (2022) awarded 95 points and a Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Selección de Bodega Malbec 2019 received Gold at the Sommeliers Choice Awards.
2024 –
Selección de Bodega Malbec 2020 awarded and Gold Medal in theDrinks Business Global Masters
Estate Malbec 2022 awarded Gold Medal in theDrinks Business Global Masters

Altaluvia/Aluvia Cabernet Franc 2019 achieved “Best in Show” honours at the Decanter World Wine Awards, distinguishing itself among more than 18,000 entries.
Altaluvia/Aluvia Riesling 2021 awarded Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards
Selección de Bodega Malbec 2021 awarded 96 points by Tim Atkin MW Argentine Report
2025 –
Altitude Series 1350 Cabernet Franc 2022 achieved a Gold Medal in theDrinks Business Global Masters
Aluvia Chardonnay and Malbec 2022 awarded 95 points byJames Suckling
Selección de Bodega Malbec 2022 awarded 96 points by James Suckling and Tim Atkin MW Argentine Report