Pyros
Pyros Wines is a terroir-driven project created with the aim of positioning the Pedernal Valley at the top of Argentinean viticulture, through its distinctive soils and high altitudes. The Pedernal is unique in the world, as no other wine region combines the varied, limestone-rich soils covering the valley with the high elevation found in the foothills of the Andes.
HISTORY
The Pedernal Valley’s beauty, untamed nature, and diverse terroir was an inspiration to Mijndert Pon, the founder of Bodegas Salentein and Bodegas Callia, when he visited the region in 2008.
Viticulture began in Pedernal in the mid-1990s and today there are approximately 850 hectares planted in the whole valley. Historically, this region has been devoted to open-field livestock farming. Since 2000, San Juan deemed the town of Pedernal and surrounding area a protected area. In 2007, Valle de Pedernal became an official wine GI (Geographic Indication) in Argentina.
The winery takes its name from the plentiful silica (flint) stones covering the Pedernal Valley. Pedernal is the Spanish term for flint. Striking these stones against each other creates a shower of sparks that, according to the local legends, was used by the native people of the region to light their fires. The stones, their flame and spirit give rise to the name PYROS, meaning fire.
TERROIR
The Pedernal Valley is located southwest of the San Juan province, 56 miles from the San Juan City. Multiple mountain ranges have brought various soil types up to the surface, presenting a diverse treasure trove in the region, particularly limestone. The region has extremely high altitudes, with an average 4,600ft a.s.l. and is bordered by the Argentine “Cordillera Oriental” mountain range and the Andes.
The cool, desert climate and high altitudes result in hugely varied temperature ranges, ensuring thicker skin development on the grapes and prolonging their ripening period. These conditions result in wines with more intense color, expressive aromas and flavors, good tannic structure and high natural acidity.
The calcareous soils of the Pedernal Valley are unique among Argentina's wine regions and unique in the world, as no other wine region combines these soils with the elevation found in the foothills of the Andes.
PEOPLE
In 2019, Paula González joined Pyros Wines as head winemaker, following a successful, early career in Argentina. Graduating with honors with a degree in Enology at the Universidad Juan Agustín Maza in Mendoza, Paula has worked at Graffigna, where she was responsible for premium wines from Pedernal Valley and at Bodega Casarena in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. She has also spent time in Spain, working at Comando G, a young but prestigious winery outside of Madrid.
At Pyros, Paula is involved with every detail of the harvest to bottling, including the experimental micro-vinification efforts for the 2020 harvest.
