Cittanina

In the heart of Mendoza, Cittanina comes to life. If you are passionate about football, the name of this winery will immediately ring a bell: it is in fact the personal project of Lautaro Martínez, captain of Inter, and his wife Agustina Gandolfo. But do not be misled by the “celebrity” side of this venture; Cittanina is not a marketing operation, it is a true declaration of love for Agustina’s homeland and a tribute to the family’s Italian roots. The name itself, Cittanina, captures this dual soul: a reference to the “city” of dreams and to Nina, Agustina’s grandmother, whose family arrived in Mendoza full of hope, just like many Italian immigrants who helped shape Argentine viticulture. We are in Las Compuertas, in the district of Luján de Cuyo, considered by many the “Holy Land” of Malbec. Here, at around 1,050 metres above sea level, altitude plays a fundamental role. The air is thin, the sun is powerful, but the nights are cool, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly while maintaining vibrant acidity and incredibly pure aromas. Cittanina has chosen to focus entirely on the recovery and enhancement of historic vineyards, some of which date back to 1930. Imagine these old vines: they have lived through nearly a century of history and have deep roots that dig into loamy-silty soils capable of retaining the precious water flowing down from the Andes glaciers. These plants do not yield much in terms of quantity, but they produce small, concentrated berries full of complexity that only time can deliver. Production is overseen by a top-level winemaking team aiming to create contemporary, fresh wines with remarkable drinkability. Do not expect the classic Argentine reds that are too heavy or overly oaked; Cittanina’s style is all about elegance.