Wapisa
Where the Atlantic meets exceptional wines
About Wapisa
Wapisa is Argentina's first coastal winery, located just 4km from the Atlantic Ocean. Our unique location provides an exceptional maritime influence that defines our wines.
The cool ocean breezes and mineral-rich soils create wines with distinctive character and complexity, setting us apart in the world of Argentine wine.
We welcome visitors to experience our unique coastal winery firsthand. Join us for a tour and tasting to discover the magic of our maritime terroir.
Our Wines
Wapisa Underwater Project
In the depths of the South Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Rio Negro, lies our groundbreaking Underwater Project. Drawing inspiration from the intriguing principle that one year of underwater aging equals three years in a traditional cellar, we embarked on an innovative journey in 2019.
Working alongside the Comahue University in Patagonia, we meticulously study how different depths affect wine aging through variations in temperature, light, pressure, and ocean movement. Our commitment to environmental stewardship led us to collaborate with local agencies, implementing protective measures using specialized stainless steel cages and wax-sealed corks.
The results have been nothing short of extraordinary. Our first tasting of the 2017 Wapisa Malbec in August 2020, after eight months beneath the waves, revealed a wine of remarkable complexity. The underwater-aged wines displayed enhanced aromas, pronounced fruit expression, and an impressively extended finish compared to their cellar-aged counterparts.
It is estimated that 3 years of aging in a traditional cellar are equivalent to 1 year under the sea. We knew this was something we wanted to explore, so in 2019 we launched a research project off the coast of Río Negro Province, in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
In collaboration with the University of Comahue in Patagonia, we began analyzing the effects of temperature, light, pressure, and ocean movement at various depths — and how these factors influence the aging and evolution of wine.
The first step was to ensure no cross-contamination would occur. We worked closely with the local environmental agency to make sure our methods respected the underwater ecosystem, and we protected the wine using stainless steel cages and special wax seals for the corks. Additionally, as our appreciation for the region's wildlife and ecosystem deepens, we've started collaborating with the California Coastal Alliance, a California-based NGO that studies and protects whales along the Argentine Patagonian coast.
In August 2020, we hosted a tasting of the first bottles of Wapisa Malbec (2017) with our technical team. The wine's evolution exceeded our expectations: after 8 months under the sea, it showed greater aromatic and flavor complexity, with a remarkable fruit expression compared to the control bottles aged in our cellar. We discovered a beautifully mature wine, with a significantly longer finish.
The difference was remarkable, and the project was a success.
This initiative has inspired not only wine lovers and researchers, but also the local diving community and regional tourism agencies. We're excited to continue developing this project and hope you'll join us in tasting the extraordinary wines born from it!
MORE INFO
Location of the underwater cellar: Las Grutas
Barrel aging: 8 months
Underwater aging: 8 months
Depth: 10 meters
Average temperature: 15°C
Pressure: 1 bar