Visiting Casa Vigil

Alejandro Vigil, for years the lead winemaker at Catena Zapata, opened Casa Vigil in 2013 in El Carrizal, Maipú. But more than a conventional winery, Casa Vigil is an authorial project: literature, mythology, family Italian cuisine and wines loaded with narrative. Each label tells a story. Its El Enemigo line, launched with Adrianna Catena, took Argentine Cabernet Franc to the world's best wine rankings. The winery is one of Mendoza's most sought-after spots: small, theatrical and with a months-long waiting list.

El Carrizal, in southeast Maipú, is a traditional area with stony alluvial soils typical of Mendoza. Vigil works old vineyards with vines over 80 years old, especially Malbec and Bonarda. He also vinifies fruit from Gualtallary, Paraje Altamira and Tupungato, showing altitude and soil contrasts. His philosophy: respect the place, do not make up the wine, let it tell its origin.

Casa Vigil features cellars carved into hills, decorated like literary salons. Sculptures, frescoes, antique books: every space is scenography. The restaurant, run by María Laura Vigil (Alejandro's wife and chef), serves Italian-Argentine cuisine with farm ingredients. Lunches are long, social, with guided pairing. The experience is cultural before technical.

Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc Single Vineyard was chosen among the Top 10 wines in the world by James Suckling. El Enemigo Bonarda received 100 points from Tim Atkin MW in 2020. Alejandro Vigil has been named Winemaker of the Year by international publications and serves on Decanter's Wine of the Year jury.