La Revista Mujer

Julia Zaccardi is the image behind Bodegas Santa Julia, her family’s winery in Mendoza Argentina. Her new line of natural wines prove that there is more than Malbec in Argentina. The winery was named after her because Julia is the only daughter of Argentinean winemaker José Zuccardi. 

Julia Zaccardi is the third generation of Bodegas Zuccardi. She is in charge on the winery’s hospitality and tourism. She receives over thirty thousand visitors every year of which “Casa del Visitante” and “Pan y Oliva” restaurant  (awarded a Michelin star) have served over twenty two thousand guests. 

I had the pleasure of meeting Julia Zuccardi on occasion of her visit to Austin, Texas presenting her line of Natural Wines organized by Somm Space Atx and Wine Sellers Ltd.  

When you first meet Julia, she receives you with a friendly smile and makes you feel right at home.  Although Julia Zuccardi may appear timid in her conversation, she is not shy when talking with passion about her work behind one of the most successful wineries in Argentina, Bodegas Santa Julia.

We were welcomed with a nice glass of LA MANTIS, their first organic and sparkling wine.

INTEVIEW WITH JULIA ZUCCARDI

Hello Julia, we’re delighted to meet you, and your presentation of Santa Julia Natural Wines and all the work behind Bodegas Santa Julia, it was inspiring. 

Thank you very much, I’m happy to share it.

Can you tell us about what it was like for you to grow up in this environment with a family of  wine producers in the area of Maipú Argentina. 

The truth is that I always say it’s a privilege. I was also lucky enough to experience the growth of the company from a young age because the winery that is Santa Julia today is not what it was when I was little.

So I grew up with the company and that has been interesting to see. I was always lucky to see my grandparents, my mom, and my dad love what we did, and when you’re little, you see that as something natural.

But not everyone is lucky enough to do what they love. So, I think we’re involved in the family business today because we’ve always approached it with passion.  

ORGANIC WINES VS NON-ORGANIC WINES

You talked about organic wines vs non-organic wines. How do you see the future?

The important thing here is that as producers we are all responsible and careful with nature. We welcome consumers who value these types of products because they allow us producers to delve deeper into these practices.

Because Mendoza is a desert, water is very scarce, and we need to make best use of water.

My grandfather Alberto (Tito) Zuccardi, an engineer by profession, arrived in Mendoza area in the 1950’s to implement an irrigation system to help grow crops while taking care of the use of water. Always having in mind the environment preservation. 

So organic certification is a way to tell consumers what you do, but I think the most important thing is that the practices in the vineyard are truly sustainable and, hopefully, all organic. Those of us who work with nature have a very big responsibility.

You mentioned that natural wines don’t have as many rules as organic wines yet. Do you think this will change in the future?

I really don’t know. I think, well, too many rules aren’t good either. It’s good to have a little freedom to create and produce. The most important thing is that natural wines have no additives (sulfites).

But, some minimum guidelines would also be good because it’s not good for the category to have a lot of things that aren’t done right in the market.

JULIA ZUCCARDI AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

One of the things your family emphasizes is your social responsibility, which began with your grandmother Emma. As the third generation, what woluld you add to the already long list of social responsibilities?

Well, we are a company where women have always been very present because my grandmother and my mother have been a fundamental part of the company, and women have always played a leading role in the Zuccardi family.

As a third-generation member, I first have the great vision of continuing what my grandmother dreamed of. That is, empowering women as workers through the sewing workshop or through the kindergarten, which gives more women the opportunity to develop their professional skills

I think that perhaps my great mission is for women to play an increasingly prominent role in a world that is perhaps more dominated by men. To balance the number of women and men a little.

SANTA JULIA NATURAL WINES PROVE THAT ARGENTINA IS MORE THAN MALBEC 

If you had someone who had never tried Santa Julia wines, which three wines would you recommend they start with?

First of all there is more than Malbec in Argentina. In our winery we have Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Torrontés. We also have Chardonnay, Clairette, Pèt-Nat (Sparkling)t, and we are still working on more in our Innovation Center. 

But I really like our Natural Wines, and so I would suggest a white, a rosé, and a red. I think it would be interesting for them to try La Oveja because it’s my favorite. I love it; it’s a very fresh, fruity, and floral Torrontés.

For a rosé, I would recommend Chimango, which  is a Malbec rosé, and is interesting because it has Malbec, which is associated with Argentina.

And finally, I really like La Vaquita, a red wine. La Vaquita is a co-fermentation of Torrontés and Malbec, and I think it’s a different and interesting wine. And for Texas, it’s beautiful because it’s a red that you can drink cold, so it’s ideal for hot temperatures.

WINE LABELS

How do you come up with the names and labels of your Natural Wines?

The artist’s name is Emiliano Pierro. We chose him because, as a family, we have an important connection with Mendoza art. For us, it is always important to promote local art and artists.

Our natural wines have little animal names because we believe that is the best way to represent them. And all are linked to a family story or the region.

When we started the natural wine project, the first wine was “El Burro,” and we felt that his style and work were very compatible with our project.

We named El Cabrito after a young goat that arrived at the farm as a birthday gift for Isabel, my niece.

And similar stories with La Vaquita (the little cow)  La Oveja (the sheep),  El Zorrito  (the little fox) and La Mantis (praying mantis)

Chimango which refers to a type of bird known as the Southern Caracara, a member of the falcon family found in South America.  

JULIA ZUCCARDI AND WOMEN IN THE WINE INDUSTRY

How do you see the future of women behind the wine industry?

I see it as very prosperous, at least in Argentina. There are many talented female winemakers who have gained a lot of visibility in my area, which is wine tourism. 

There are also many women who lead hospitality, so I see a very interesting place for women and a lot of talent, and also for men.

I believe that it’s not about women or men, but about empowering each other.

At a special dinner, who would you like to have at your table as a special guest, either contemporary or from another era?

Well, it could be my grandparents, I would love to sit at the table with them again to see and share what we are today.

I also really like gastronomy, so I have many chefs that I admire, many Peruvian and Argentine chefs I admire. I don’t want to name just one because there are so many in the culinary world, but for me, that world is always interesting and I find it very enriching.

WOMEN IN WINE

What would be your final piece of advice to women who are just beginning to discover wine, whether as consumers, producers, or in tourism?

I would tell them to go for it because it really is a wonderful world, and as women we have a special sensitivity.

 I think it’s a world that has a lot to do with the senses, and women are super connected, so I would advise to go for it because it really is a beautiful world and very open to women.

Thank you very much for your time. We really enjoyed exploring Santa Julia’s natural wines.

Well, that’s what is most important! Thank you.

We finish this interview sharing the essence of Bodegas Santa Julia IT MATTERS TO US (#no nos da lo mismo) summarized by Julia Zuccardi below:

“It matters to us” represents a way of being, of thinking, of doing things. Because we are committed to every decision we make to ensure the quality of our wines, the people we work with, and the world we live in. At Bodega Santa Julia, we are a big family passionate about our land, our grapes, and our wine.

Follow Julia Zuccardi Instagram Bodegas Santa Julia. Instagram.

By: Lilia Rodriguez- Davis

Editor in Chief of La Revista Mujer –

Founder of Sipping Notes ATX

Photo cover- courtesy of Julia Zuccardi

Other photos: Loren Sanders and La Revista Mujer