Matias Riccitelli
Summary
Matias Riccitelli operates a small-scale boutique winery in Mendoza's Las Compuertas, producing terroir-driven wines from high-altitude Mendoza vineyards and cooler Patagonian sites, with a portfolio centered on Malbec alongside Cabernet Franc, Torrontés and old-vine Semillon. His pioneering work combines minimal-intervention winemaking with geographical exploration beyond traditional boundaries, rescuing historic vineyards while showcasing regional differences through projects like Republic of Malbec that highlight his position at the forefront of Argentina's new generation of winemakers.
Heritage & Leadership
Matias Riccitelli established his eponymous winery in 2009, marking the beginning of his independent winemaking journey in Argentina. As the son of Jorge Riccitelli, the longtime chief winemaker at Bodega Norton, Matias grew up immersed in the wine industry. Before launching his own project, he gained valuable experience working alongside his father and through his formal education in enology.
The winery operates from its base in Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, in Argentina's Mendoza province, though Matias has expanded his viticultural reach to include sites in Patagonia's Rio Negro Valley. This geographical diversity has become a defining characteristic of the Riccitelli portfolio, allowing for exploration of Argentina's varied terroirs beyond the traditional Mendoza heartland.
Under Matias's direct leadership as both owner and winemaker, the operation has maintained its boutique scale while developing a reputation for site-specific wines. His background combines traditional Argentine winemaking knowledge with a progressive approach to vineyard selection and winemaking techniques.
## Vineyards & Wines
Matias Riccitelli sources grapes from multiple vineyards across Argentina's diverse wine regions. In Mendoza, he works with sites in Las Compuertas and the high-altitude area of Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. The Gualtallary vineyards sit at approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, featuring the calcareous soils that have made this subregion particularly notable for structured red wines.
His expansion into Patagonia focuses on the Rio Negro Valley, where he works with old vine plantings, particularly Semillon and Malbec. These southern vineyards benefit from the cooler climate conditions of Patagonia, with significant diurnal temperature variations that contribute to slower ripening and enhanced aromatic development in the grapes.
The portfolio centers on Malbec, Argentina's signature variety, alongside Cabernet Franc, Torrontés, and old vine Semillon. His "Old Vines" series specifically highlights vineyards with significant age, including parcels of Semillon planted in 1942 and Malbec dating back to 1908. These older vineyards typically produce lower yields with more concentrated fruit.
## Philosophy & Practice
Matias Riccitelli's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention techniques designed to express the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site. His approach includes hand harvesting, native yeast fermentations, and judicious use of oak to preserve fruit integrity.
For his red wines, fermentation typically occurs in small concrete vats, allowing for precise temperature control and gentle extraction of color and tannins. Aging protocols vary by wine, with premium offerings seeing 12-18 months in French oak barrels, often with a percentage of new oak balanced by second and third-use barrels.
The winery's "Republic of Malbec" project demonstrates Riccitelli's commitment to exploring terroir expression, featuring Malbec from different regions vinified using consistent methods to highlight the impact of place on the variety. This comparative approach extends to his work with old vines, where he applies similar winemaking techniques across different varieties to showcase the distinctive character imparted by vine age.
In the vineyard, Riccitelli employs sustainable farming practices, including dry farming many of his older vineyard sites. His work with neglected old vineyards, particularly in Patagonia, represents both a preservation effort for Argentina's viticultural heritage and a practical approach to creating wines with distinctive character from low-yielding, naturally balanced vines.
Vineyards & Wines
Matias Riccitelli sources grapes from multiple vineyards across Argentina's diverse wine regions. In Mendoza, he works with sites in Las Compuertas and the high-altitude area of Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. The Gualtallary vineyards sit at approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, featuring the calcareous soils that have made this subregion particularly notable for structured red wines.
His expansion into Patagonia focuses on the Rio Negro Valley, where he works with old vine plantings, particularly Semillon and Malbec. These southern vineyards benefit from the cooler climate conditions of Patagonia, with significant diurnal temperature variations that contribute to slower ripening and enhanced aromatic development in the grapes.
The portfolio centers on Malbec, Argentina's signature variety, alongside Cabernet Franc, Torrontés, and old vine Semillon. His "Old Vines" series specifically highlights vineyards with significant age, including parcels of Semillon planted in 1942 and Malbec dating back to 1908. These older vineyards typically produce lower yields with more concentrated fruit.
## Philosophy & Practice
Matias Riccitelli's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention techniques designed to express the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site. His approach includes hand harvesting, native yeast fermentations, and judicious use of oak to preserve fruit integrity.
For his red wines, fermentation typically occurs in small concrete vats, allowing for precise temperature control and gentle extraction of color and tannins. Aging protocols vary by wine, with premium offerings seeing 12-18 months in French oak barrels, often with a percentage of new oak balanced by second and third-use barrels.
The winery's "Republic of Malbec" project demonstrates Riccitelli's commitment to exploring terroir expression, featuring Malbec from different regions vinified using consistent methods to highlight the impact of place on the variety. This comparative approach extends to his work with old vines, where he applies similar winemaking techniques across different varieties to showcase the distinctive character imparted by vine age.
In the vineyard, Riccitelli employs sustainable farming practices, including dry farming many of his older vineyard sites. His work with neglected old vineyards, particularly in Patagonia, represents both a preservation effort for Argentina's viticultural heritage and a practical approach to creating wines with distinctive character from low-yielding, naturally balanced vines.
Philosophy & Practice
Matias Riccitelli's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention techniques designed to express the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site. His approach includes hand harvesting, native yeast fermentations, and judicious use of oak to preserve fruit integrity.
For his red wines, fermentation typically occurs in small concrete vats, allowing for precise temperature control and gentle extraction of color and tannins. Aging protocols vary by wine, with premium offerings seeing 12-18 months in French oak barrels, often with a percentage of new oak balanced by second and third-use barrels.
The winery's "Republic of Malbec" project demonstrates Riccitelli's commitment to exploring terroir expression, featuring Malbec from different regions vinified using consistent methods to highlight the impact of place on the variety. This comparative approach extends to his work with old vines, where he applies similar winemaking techniques across different varieties to showcase the distinctive character imparted by vine age.
In the vineyard, Riccitelli employs sustainable farming practices, including dry farming many of his older vineyard sites. His work with neglected old vineyards, particularly in Patagonia, represents both a preservation effort for Argentina's viticultural heritage and a practical approach to creating wines with distinctive character from low-yielding, naturally balanced vines.