The name Michelini is well-known in Argentine wine circles, a veritable winemaking clan comprising 4 brothers, all of whom are involved in the wine industry and who, together or separately, have contributed in their different ways to pushing the boundaries of viticulture and winemaking in Mendoza, Argentina and beyond. The common theme is a desire to explore new terroirs and experiment with new techniques to deliver wines of high quality with personality and a sense of place.

Michelini I Mufatto is the venture of one of the brothers: Gerardo, with his wife Andrea Mufatto. After a career as an architect and a banker, Gerardo converted to the world of wine, almost by osmosis, thanks to life-changing meetings with people that crossed his path. Michelini i Mufatto is a more personal project initiated in 2016 by married couple Gerardo Michelini and his wife Andrea Mufatto, together with their eldest son Manuel Michelini (in his early thirties) – all three accomplished winemakers. Committed to preserve their country’s viticultural heritage and on a constant quest to explore new winemaking techniques, the trio produce sensuous wines combining rare purity, tension and elegance.

Their winery is located in the lieu-dit ‘La Cautiva’ in the heart of the Gualtallary sub-region (one of the highest points in the Uco Valley) and considered by many to be one of Argentina’s ‘grand crus’. Prized for its poor, rocky soils rich in calcium carbonate, Gualtallary terroir delivers mineral driven wines with finesse, purity and sense of place. 
Set in a challenging mountainous landscape, just 8km from the Andes, and sheltered by the Cordón de Plata, their vineyard plots range in altitude from 1,100 to 1,600m above sea level. From vineyards planted in 2010, their fruit, comprising a mix of Semillon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, used to be sold to a co-op. 

The family’s passion for wine has also led them to set up small family winery projects in Uruguay and Bierzo, Spain. In addition to this, Manuel has founded his own project in the Rioja Alavesa: ‘Dominio del Challao’.