In the valleys of San Juan, a group of wineries is redefining the way that regional wine production is organized. B.I.G., an acronym for Bodegas con Indicación Geográfica (Wineries with a Geographic Indication), is a community united by a love for the land and a passion for wine. Arising out of a shared need to improve communication and promote the province’s viticultural identity, B.I.G. is a symbol of collaboration and excellence.
What is B.I.G and how did the idea come about? B.I.G., as Felipe Azcona at Elefante Wines explains, represents the wineries who make their wines in Geographic Indications in San Juan. Initially the group started out with informal tastings to share their experience and knowledge. They soon discovered that they also shared a number of challenges, especially in terms of communication and promotion. Convinced that there is strength in community, they decided to band together to enhance their message and raise awareness about the unique qualities of their wines and terroirs.
Members of B.I.G include wineries such as 907 Wines, Argus, Borbore, and Cara Sur, among others. These wineries don’t just share a commitment to produce high quality wines, they also believe in sustainable development and the importance of declaring new Geographic Indications in San Juan.
The goals and mission of B.I.G
B.I.G have clear, ambitious goals. According to Pancho Bugallo at the Cara Sur winery, they are looking to bring together projects that work conscientiously in different viticultural regions in San Juan. That includes the creation of wines that faithfully express their local character and have a positive impact on local communities. In addition, they aspire to position the Geographic Indications of San Juan on the national and international viticultural scene.
Paula González at Pyros is excited about the opportunity that B.I.G. has to communicate with the different terroirs and wines that San Juan has to offer. The initiative gives San Juan a chance not just to reaffirm its identity but also to share world class wines with the world.
First steps and the future of B.I.G
Marcelo Onofri from Violinista Wines, Merced del Estero, and 907 explains that the group’s first steps focused on strengthening communication and organization. He says that San Juan winemakers came together to raise their profile through joint events, critics’ visits and shared tastings. Looking to the future, Juan Camuñas at Finca Camuñas says that in addition to continuing to improve promotion and communications, they also plan to annually evaluate the quality of their harvests and define the character of wines from each valley so as to emphasize their unique qualities.
The geographic indications involved
Today, B.I.G boasts members from the four main wine producing valleys of the region: Calingasta, Pedernal, Tulum and Ullum-Zonda. These valleys do not just boast great geographic and climatic diversity but also a rich variety of wines that reflect the personality of each region. They are now developing new Geographic Indications such as Paraje Hilario in Calingasta and La Ciénaga in Zonda, which promise to enhance the prestige and diversity of San Juan’s viticulture even further.
B.I.G isn’t just a strategic alliance between the wineries of San Juan, it also makes a statement about sustainable development, quality and local identity. As it continues its mission to promote and celebrate the Geographic Indications of the province, B.I.G. is becoming a powerful asset in positioning San Juan on the world wine map, showing that the true value of a wine is derived from its connection to the land from which it hails.
