The origins of Bodega Malma go back to the dream of a 12-year-old Uruguayan boy who went to Patagonia to spend a summer with his Argentine relatives.
Fast forward 30 years and in 1999 Julio Viola discovered the potential that his favourite corner of the world had. At the time he was referred to as “the crazy man who settled here” by the locals. At 40 years old, twenty of which he had already spent living in Patagonia, Julio began to work on his visionary project: cultivating the typical fruits of the Upper Río Negro Valley area – apples, pears and nectarines – but with a more modern approach. It was then that he realized that in San Patricio del Chañar he could do something much more interesting, perhaps something that would forever change the history, landscape and future of the place.
The Origins
He founded Bodega Fin del Mundo and in 2009 attracted investors to it. What was known as the route of apples is now the Patagonian Wine Route. With over 1,700 hectares of vines planted, a series of canals from the Neuquén River were dug to supply water, the Viola family became the pioneers and developers of the San Patricio del Chañar wine cluster. The experience lasted for ten years, and in 2019 the family decided to sell their shares and return to being a small family business again, making their own wine the way they like with their philosophy.
Enter Bodega Malma, a property they bought in 2012 under the name NQN, but which they had planted themselves at the beginning of the adventure of founding the wine cluster. Together with a team made up of the family, the resident winemaker Diego Perticarini and the consulting winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers, they outlined a pure and clear portfolio, constantly in search of the best expression of the terroir.
Today the winery consists of 127 hectares planted with different varietals and with a sophisticated drip irrigation where much of the work of achieving premium wines takes place. The selection of the plots, where each varietal achieves its best expression, is the result of the joint work of oenologists & agronomists and the reason for constant research. The varietals planted are mainly Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Chardonnay. Having made the decision to be able to become independent again was a great luxury to the family.
Ana Viola
Ana Viola, daughter of Julio leads the family business. In 2023 she was chosen among the 50 most influential women currently working in the beverage industry. This award is designed to recognize, connect and honour women who have significantly shaped the wine and spirits industry. Ana, proud mother of 2 teenagers, is a doctor and now an agricultural student. Since 2019 she is the general director of Bodega Malma and since 2022, she is also “President of the Chamber of Exporting Wineries of Patagonia”.
“Immense extensions, landscapes without people, intact nature, makes you realise how small you are in the world. Getting something to grow in this region, the miracle of water and what it can give you when you work the land is wonderful, but to work the land in Patagonia becomes especially challenging.
From cultivating in a place where the wind blows your plants, to facing all the challenges where everything is far away: from the centres of production, workforce, labels, bottles, corks & the end consumer buying the wine. In truth, everything is so challenging & far away that I suppose there is a part that is irrational, you have to really want to be here. I think that is the charm of this region along with the beauty and the immensity.” This is how Ana describes her devotion to Patagonia.
The Future
Malma means, in the Mapudungun dialect, pride. Pride in the path travelled, in working the land and pride in the origins. A Malma wine is a wine from a family winery made with love for the place, which reflects its conditions: the wind, the little rain, the water of the Neuquén River & the great thermal amplitude between day and night that is seen reflected in the natural acidity of the grapes. The family’s aim is to find the ultimate essence of the terroir and bring Argentine Patagonia to the world as a region that produces unique wines.