Sent to our readers on November 1, 2026.
November is late spring in Mendoza, and the vines are flowering.
Look past the flowers
This time, look at the vine itself.
A young vine is a thin, straight stem. Give it decades and the trunk thickens and twists, gnarled like an old olive tree. Every winter's pruning leaves a mark in the wood.
Old vines also tend to carry fewer bunches, and smaller ones. Their roots have had years to work their way deep. Many growers believe you can taste that in the glass.
Our vines were planted in 1927. Next year they turn 100. Nothing about that was quick.
Where we are
- October. Budbreak. Done.
- November. Flowering. We are here.
- December to January. Fruit set. Next.
What we're opening this week
Rosé, for Thanksgiving. Pour a cold glass while the turkey rests, then keep the bottle on the table for the white meat, the cranberry sauce and the green beans. Pink wine in late November surprises people. It works.
Read more
Get these notes by email: sign up at the bottom of any page.
