Bonnie family | Where in the world is Riccardo?

Bodega DiamAndes, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, photograph # 1 — the winery is named after a cross between Diamond and Andes, and so, appropriately, the icon of the winery is the steel diamond shaped sculpture in the center

On our last day in the Mendoza wine regions, we drove south to a relatively newly developed area, comprising five wineries in the Clos de Los Siete group. Each winery is owned independently, but they collectively produce one estate wine, Clos de Los Siete. Our visit was to Bodega DiamAndes, where we had an outstanding tour led by the estate’s executive chef, Santiago Orozco Russo, followed by a delicious and creative luncheon with paired estate wines at the estate’s restaurant, DIAMS Bar & Bistrot. We found out that the restaurant, DIAMs, was awarded the gold medal for “Best Winery Restaurant in Argentina 2021” by the Great Wine Capitals. The winery itself is named after a cross between Diamond and Andes, and so, appropriately, the icon of the winery is the steel diamond shaped sculpture in the center. The winery produces Malbec, Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier as well as red blends and a rose. DiamAndes has been an organic certified vineyard since 2022. Natural fertilizers and biodegradable products, both environmentally friendly, are used, creating more stable and balanced vineyards with a significant improvement in the quality of the grapes.

“A play on the word “diamante,” this ultra-modern Uco Valley winery’s name is inspired by the snow-capped peaks among which it sits, at 1,000 meters above sea level in the foothills of the Andes. Part of the prestigious Clos de los Siete group, the estate’s 130 hectares were acquired by the Bonnie family (of Château Malartic-Lagravière and Château Gazin Rocquencourt, in Bordeaux) in 2005, with a gravity flow winery opening in 2009 designed by Eliana Bórmida and Mario Yanzón, a duo renowned for their ‘landscape architecture’ incorporating the Mendoza landscape with sympathy and flair. The circular barrel cellar (full of premium French oak barrels) and the magical crypt (used to store and age bottles) are particular highlights, not to mention the culinary prowess of the award-winning restaurant.” — www.worldsbestvineyards.com/explore/Vineyards/Argentina/Mendoza/Bodega-DiamAndes-SA.html

Bodega DiamAndes, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, photograph # 2 – the beautifully designed winery complex (one of the two buildings is pictured here), utilizing gravity flow, opened in 2009

Bodega DiamAndes, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, photograph # 3 – the extensive estate vineyards are close to the foothills of the Andes Mountains, which gave the winery part of its name (diamANDES)

The winery’s philosophy relates to its exceptional location in the Uco Valley at an elevation of 1,100 meters (3,609 feet): “Nothing exceptional can be achieved without an exceptional terroir”.

Bodega DiamAndes, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, photograph # 4 – stainless steel fermentation tanks in the gravity flow winery complex

Bodega DiamAndes, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, photograph # 5 – with two labels (one for domestic consumption, and one for export), our first wine was a 2022 L’Argentin de Malartic Malbec Rose

Bodega DiamAndes, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, photograph # 6 – our amuse bouche was a delicious mushroom puree empanada in beetroot pastry on a base of mased avocado

“The Franco-Argentine blend is also evident at DIAM’s Bar & Bistrot, a high-end restaurant mixing Argentine produce with a touch of French gastronomic flair. Led by chef Santiago Orozco Russo, the team creates original and perfectly crafted dishes sourced from the organic garden and local suppliers. The restaurant offers four menus a year, each specially designed to highlight the season and a label from the DiamAndes range. The restaurant cellar also houses a collection of older vintages.” — www.worldsbestvineyards.com/the-list/Bodega-Diamandes.html