| Region of production: | Salta IG |
| Winery Location: | Cafayate, Salta |
| Year Established: | 1892 |
Vineyard Holdings
752 hectares
- Cafayate (492 ha): Cafayate IG
- Chañar Punco (260 ha): Valles Calchaquíes IG
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Altimus (Valles Calchaquíes IG): Flagship wine and Malbec blend that changes each vintage. Aged 18 months in French oak. Inaugural vintage 2000.
- Chañar Punco (Valles Calchaquíes IG): 65% Malbec and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. A barrel selection after 18 months aging in new French oak. Inaugural vintage 2011.
- Malbec (Valles Calchaquíes IG): 100% Malbec. Aged 12 months in both new and used French and American oak barrels. Inaugural vintage 2012.
Average Total Production
- 3,804,000 bottles
Summary
Founded in 1892 by French immigrant brothers David and Salvador Michel, El Esteco is one of Cafayate’s pioneering wine estates and remains among the region’s most prominent. Also referred to as Michel Torino, a nod to David Michel’s marriage to Gabriela Torino, the winery has over 600 hectares of vines in the Calchaquí Valley. Today, it is owned by Grupo Peñaflor, which also owns Trapiche and Santa Ana, among other properties. In addition to its top wines, El Esteco bottles several entry labels, including Michel Torino, Don David Reserve, Ciclos, and Amaru. Alejandro Pepa serves as winemaker.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Grapes for the top wines are harvested by hand. The winery utilizes both cultured and native yeasts, and the top wines are bottled unfiltered.
Producer Website: El Esteco