Finca Suarez

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Country of Origin: Argentina
Location: Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley
People: Suarez Family, Owners | Juanfa Suarez, Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Organic

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Finca Suarez is a family estate rooted in Paraje Altamira, where the Suárez family has lived and farmed since 1921. All the wines are produced exclusively from their own vineyards, planted within this singular corner of the Uco Valley, at the heart of the Tunuyán River’s alluvial fan at 1,100 meters above sea level. Calcareous, stony soils and a cool Andean climate shape wines of freshness, tension, and unmistakable character.

With more than a century of family stewardship, Finca Suarez stands as a living link between the past, present, and future of Paraje Altamira. We at Cream Wine & Spirits are proud to represent Finca Suarez in Illinois and to share their remarkable Altamira story.

A Century of Vision in Altamira
The story of Finca Suarez begins with Leopoldo Suárez, who purchased land in Altamira in 1921. Trained as an eno-technical engineer in Italy and Argentina, Leopoldo went on to become head of the Mendoza Oenological Station and director of the National School of Viticulture. His influence on Argentine wine was profound. In 1911, he published a landmark ampelographic study surveying more than 30 grape varieties, complete with regionally specific vinifications. Among his conclusions was a conviction that Semillón was “the best variety for white table wines in Mendoza.” Renowned winemaker Raúl de la Mota later remarked that Argentine viticulture could be divided into a “before and after” Leopoldo Suárez.

Following Leopoldo’s early death, his partner Angélica Civit and their son Facundo Suárez Civit planted vineyards in the 1940s, cultivating Malbec, Semillón, and other varieties until the mid-1970s. Economic pressures eventually led Facundo to replace the vineyards with fruit orchards, yet Leopoldo’s wisdom endured. Late in life, Facundo returned to viticulture, guided by his father’s belief: “Whoever makes good Semillón in La Consulta will make the best white wine in Argentina.”

From Grapes to Estate Wines
The next chapter unfolded in 1998, when Facundo Suárez Lastra began planting vineyards at Finca Perico, initially focused on grape growing. In 2001, he acquired virgin land south of the Uco Canal and planted Finca Las Piedras, becoming a pioneer of Altamira Sur—today one of the region’s most respected vineyard zones, home to just a handful of top producers. The first Finca Suarez Malbec was released in 2002.

In 2011, 4th generation vintner Juanfa Suárez joined the family business, bringing a renewed focus on terroir expression and sustainable agriculture. A pivotal moment came in 2013 with the replanting of Semillón—this time with the explicit intention of producing estate wines. Juanfa assumed full responsibility for winemaking with the 2019 harvest, after years of careful experimentation and refinement.

Terroir, Sustainability, and Precision
A detailed soil study conducted in 2020 with geophysicist Guillermo Corona identified parcels rich in calcium carbonate and distinct geological features, fundamentally influencing vineyard management and vinification decisions at Finca Perico and Las Piedras. The first harvest shaped by this research took place in 2021—a milestone year that also marked the estate’s 100th anniversary and the introduction of new labels.

Finca Suarez is deeply committed to regenerative farming, biodiversity, and responsible water use. The family lives on the land they cultivate and maintains strong ties to the surrounding community, supporting local initiatives, collaborating with regional organizations, and helping to advance sustainability throughout Paraje Altamira. They are founding members of PIPA (Independent Producers of Paraje Altamira), a nonprofit dedicated to regional research, education, and preservation.

In the cellar, the philosophy is one of restraint and clarity: native-yeast fermentation, minimal intervention, and only low doses of sulfites. Small fermentation and aging vessels allow for single-lot and micro-lot bottlings, each traceable from harvest to bottle.