 |
| Gavilan Vineyards (photo by Jamie Douglas) |
By Jamie Douglas
To begin, let me inform my readers that this is not a solicitation for investments; I am not in the service of Gavilan Vineyards and Wine Estates or any other related entity. I am not being compensated for writing this endorsement. I received one bottle of single barrel Malbec wine from the onsite manager of Gavilan. While alerting my readers to the opportunity available in Gavilan Estates, neither I nor Expat Daily News, its officers and employees will have any responsibility for your potential investments. It is suggested as always that you investigate the firm on your own, prior to committing any funds, and best of all, visit the facility personally.
For detailed information, see the Gavilan Investor’s Package (PDF)
My wife and I paid a personal visit to the Gavilan Vineyards and Wine Estates on Monday, 12 September 2011. Before even entering the premises, we were impressed with the appearance of the entry as well as the ease of finding it. We were met at the gate by Gavilan’s on site manager, Martin, at the exact time we had set. Upon entry, we found there to be a series of existing fields planted with signage describing what was there. The fields were very well groomed and appeared ready for the current growing season. Martin took us on a tour, providing us with much information about different aspects of the operation. The vineyards were purchased by Gavilan in 2008, after having been planted in 1972-1973 and maintained by the original owners. They consist of a total of 85ha, with 42ha currently planted.
The estate is in the process of planting and grafting canes from the immediate area on a large portion of the available land, which features the excellent soils the area is well known for. Irrigation is accomplished by means of the region’s extensive system of canals, which are fed by the runoff of Andean snowfields and glaciers. Plans that are in the works include a switch over from flooding type irrigation to drip irrigation, to conserve valuable natural resources, as well as creating a large reservoir, to assure a more consistent year round water supply. Several workers were busy caring for the vines, and Martin was very proud of his crew, headed up by one of the most knowledgeable and experienced agronomists in the entire region.
This area is blessed with an average 320 days of sunshine each year, contributing to the region’s well-established viticulture that produces the fine Malbec and Bonarda wines. It is worth mentioning here that Gavilan took a Silver Medal for its ultra-premium 2009 Estate Reserve Bonarda at the 2011 Argentina Wine Awards, where a total of 740 fine wines competed for honors. Not bad for anyone, particularly the new kid on the block!
I have to admit, I am a very skeptical endorser of investment schemes, as too many of them have turned into investment scams, designed to fleece the far away investors, or they are simply poorly thought out and executed. I am pleased however to report that I have found an exception to my doubts, located right here, on the outskirts of bustling San Rafael, in Mendoza Province, near where Argentina’s fabled wine country meets the High Andes.
I have always maintained that if you buy land or a business such as a farm, ranch, or vineyard, you have to be on the premises to take care of business. I know of way too many stories all around the world where the future expat decided to buy now, and hire a local manager to do their bidding, most of the time with catastrophic results, financial disaster, and loss of self-esteem due to miscommunications or a whole host of other reasons.
This situation however is a presentation of what can go right. Mind you, it is not free, and you don’t get around it by hiring a local to do all your work. You are retaining the services of the US-based investment firm with a proven track record, ICT Investment Properties Inc., with a competent and innovative onsite general manager whose duty is to oversee all operations for not just you, but the entire project.
 |
| Gavelin Vineyards |
There are opportunities for those of you who would like to become part of a vineyard, but don’t have the time yet to dedicate yourselves to such an enterprise 100% of the time, or are unable to relocate to the area to do your own planting, harvesting, caretaking, winemaking and marketing. This is where Gavilan’s highly trained management team takes up the slack. If you buy into the estate, you will have the opportunity to have a turnkey operation, right down to the finest details, for a reasonable fee of course. (See PDF’s) You will be able to build a home on your 2ha lot, plant it with olives or grapes, and after 4-5 years start enjoying the fruits of your labor. You will have the choice of having Gavilan do all the necessary planting, harvesting, and marketing, or you may do it all yourself, or you can hire it out to third parties, always following strict stipulations.
If you plan to be an absentee landlord, my personal recommendation is to have Gavilan be in charge of your property, as I have personally seen the attention to detail along with orderliness of the whole operation. There are no areas that look neglected or overgrown, attention is paid to the smallest details, and the whole operation just exudes professionalism.
The prudent investor of course will not be satisfied by my glowing endorsement, but will want to see the facilities for themselves, to get a feel for the land, and perhaps find your favorite plot, making you part of this lovely experience. Getting here from anywhere to the north involves flying into Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport, from where you can fly directly Mendoza or even San Rafael. Alternately you can fly into Santiago de Chile and take the bus to Mendoza and on to San Rafael, or fly to Mendoza. Admittedly, it is not the easiest place to get to, and it might be a good idea to break the trip up, so you may enjoy your Trans-Andean journey, as well as visiting Mendoza City.
For the most up to date information, I would suggest contacting the property manager directly via email: martin@gavilanvineyards.com
Jamie Douglas
San Rafael, Mendoza
Where that Fine Malbec Wine blesses me with a glass of sunshine every day!
I encourage you to write to me, jamie@expatdailynews.com with any questions or suggestions you may have, and if necessary, we can establish a voice communication via Skype. Disclaimer: I am not in any travel related business. My advice is based on my own experiences, and is free of charge. (Donations accepted). It is always my pleasure to act as a beneficial counselor to those who are seekers of the next adventure.
Jamie Douglas is an Adventurer, Writer and Photographer with an amazing array of Nikon equipment, and a lifetime of experience traveling and documenting. To contact him for assignments and new adventures, email: jamie.douglas [at] yahoo.com
See more expat articles by Jamie at
If you liked this article please click the +1 button and let others know where to find our great content
We would love to hear your comments on this article email us at editor@expatdailynews.com
