From Whitewater to Vineyards: Valsecchi Wines
Competitive kayakers rarely find themselves land-bound, but in the case of Diego Valsecchi, the vineyard is as much a home as the world´s most adrenaline-inducing rapids. This long-locked winemaker from Buenos Aires doesn´t quite look the part of CEO and founder of a high-art, premier wine label. But innovators rarely do.
As he crisscrossed continents in search of the best white water, he inadvertently set foot in the world´s most distinguished wine regions. After studying under some of the industry’s most influential wine makers, in Napa, Bordeaux and across Argentina, Diego set out to make the first Valsecchi vintage. Thankfully, his career on the rapids taught him to always expect turbulent waters, because his first foray alone was about to serve him up a number of challenges.
Wine making in Mendoza, Argentina is a relatively new undertaking; wine making in northern Argentina is a relatively massive challenge. At 2000 meters, in the Calchaqui Valley of Salta, Argentina, Diego encounters obstacles that always test and never break his resolve. From navigating inadequate infrastructure to finding fund to purchase premium equipment, Diego has faced it all.
But the biggest part of the Desafío, the challenge, is carving out a place in an industry unsure of what to do with this young visionary. “Not being influenced is the hardest part,” says Diego. “I am walking in a different direction than other winemakers, I know what the grapes can do, and that’s what I want to bring out.” In an industry populated by businessmen first and artists second, Diego confidently admits that his bottles aren’t meant for the shelves of mass consumption. While some winemakers literally squeeze every cent out of the grape – diluting the juice to stretch the profits – Diego takes an approach that’s focused on the grape first and the dinero second.
“Making wine is my offering to everyone. It is my art, it is my dream, it is how I translate my dream through my hands,” Diego says.
And though that may seem like a romantic intention, it’s not always an easy path. His refusal to compromise neither his dream nor his wines means achieving a steeply high standard. As a result, one bottle of Valsecchi vino contains up to four times as many kilos of grapes as industry standards. All because he believes in bringing forth the best of the grape and holding nothing back. No settling, no shame.
“What you get from my wine is really deep, powerful, concentrated…the true soul of the vineyard,” Diego said.
That soul is one for which Diego has the highest respect. Applying biodynamic techniques in both his vineyard management and winemaking, Diego insures that his practices are environmentally-friendly from start to finish. His passion for the vine, his respect for the grape and his refusal to navigate by any standard lower than his own make Diego himself a kind of Desafío, a challenge to those who see wine as business first and art second. A challenge to those who have forgotten about its soul.
Contact Diego to learn more about his wines.