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[title]“Maal Wines started in 2010 by accident, as a hobby,” says Matías Fraga, recounting the story of this Mendoza winery that came to break the mold of the traditional winemaking world. He and his friend Alfredo “Alfre” Merlo wanted to test the quality of some grapes, made wine, and it was so well-received that they increased production year after year.
Today, these life partners—one a gastronome who wishes to live off wine and the other a winemaker who wishes to live off music—have launched 16 wines. They knew they didn’t want to create “just another winery,” but rather one where moments could be shared.
And so, they created a disruptive winery that produces only quality Malbec wines, built from scrap metal, and has become the perfect setting for relaxing sunsets, surrounded by historic vineyards and stunning views of the Andes Mountains.
What is Maal Wines, the Mendoza winery with a sustainable philosophy like?
“We built a winery entirely from recycled materials. The walls are made of containers, columns from tubing pipes, wood, and the roof is from an old warehouse,” shares Fraga about some of the scrap materials that were repurposed to shape Maal Wines.
The architecture of this winery is a testament to the founders' commitment to sustainability. “We created something unique, modern, beautiful, clean, and harmonious—it’s a work of art,” they say about the design by Mora Hughes Architects.
"When designing, we achieved something unique, modern, beautiful, clean, and harmonious, a piece of art", adds the vintner and owner of the project.
From the start, it was clear they wanted a winery size that they could manage themselves so that each bottle of wine would carry their personal touch. Additionally, they wanted to avoid building a cold and intimidating space that felt like a museum, but rather a place that exudes positive energy, with music playing and the warmth of a home.
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Maal Wines sends a clear message: beauty can be created while reducing, reusing, and recycling. “We’ve incorporated about 350,000 kilos of scrap metal into the winery, things that would otherwise be polluting. We’re still looking for chairs and lamps in demolitions and making tables with old wood. This is our hallmark,” explains Fraga.
"The message that Maal Wines shouts is clear: beauty can be created while reducing, reusing, and recycling"
As you enter the winery, you can notice the different textures, colors, and shapes of the materials so well combined. The striking roof of recycled wood and old corrugated metal rests on futuristic-looking tubing columns. The structure of the upper floor features railings made from bent drilling rods. The weathered colors of the containers contrast in balance with the gray walls made from recycled aluminum.
In the tasting room, two containers joined and oriented to the west have walls lined with symmetrical wood pieces in various shades, and at the heart of the space is a large table that used to be part of a post office. Maal Wines captivates and amazes with its clever use of scrap and repurposed materials to create exotic beauty.
"Maal Wines captivates and amazes with the appropriate use of scrap and repurposed materials to create exotic beauty"
Maal Wines: 100% Malbec wines with personality
Since that first harvest in 2010, Maal Wines has maintained a firm commitment to producing exclusively Malbec wines, with different styles and profiles. Their portfolio includes 16 varieties of this flagship Mendoza varietal, ranging from sparkling wines, white Malbecs, to clarets, as well as other products like gin and vermouth. “We make what we like, without following trends or scores, focusing on the best grapes Mendoza offers. There’s a lot of Malbec to discover,” says Matías, who entered the wine world through his gastronomic ventures.
Each of their wines reflects the uniqueness of the terroir; they search for areas with potential and adapt winemaking to each vineyard. Currently, they have grapes from different zones of the Uco Valley and from their own vineyard, Las Compuertas, which is certified organic.
"They have grapes from different zones of the Uco Valley and their own vineyard, Las Compuertas, which is certified organic"
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The Biutiful wine comes from Campo Los Andes, a place that produces such a pure expression that it doesn’t need aging in wood. The two Bestial labels come from their vineyard in Los Chacayes, and both undergo barrel aging to showcase their potential. All the white Malbec varieties are from El Zampal, as the vineyard’s east-west orientation improves acidity. Imposible comes from Vista Flores, and Biolento is born in Luján de Cuyo.
The winery is equipped with all the technology necessary to produce wines of the highest quality. Fermentation and aging are carried out in small concrete tanks, stainless steel tanks, and barrels. They produce approximately 200,000 bottles per year.
What wine tourism experiences does Maal Wines offer?
When designing the winery, they also thought of creating a space where visitors could feel comfortable and enjoy different wine and gastronomic events that share their philosophy of sustainability and recycling, such as the Maal Max themed party and the Solar Sound Festival.
The vineyard and winery tour is available, as well as tastings of the complete selection of Maal’s Malbec wines in the Tasting Room. And for those seeking more comprehensive experiences, they offer menu options paired with wines in their restaurant with breathtaking views, or laid-back lunches at El Parador del Maal, their new chill space in the gardens. “We want visitors to feel at home and enjoy our wines with good food,” says Matías Fraga.
"We like visitors to feel at home and enjoy our wines with good food"
Maal Wines is not just a winery; it’s a community of friends making wines to share. With a focus on enjoyment and authenticity, they have created a space where each visit is a celebration of friendship and a passion for wine. “We’re happy with what we do. We simply enjoy and share,” Matías concludes.
"Maal Wines is not just a winery; it’s a community of friends making wines to share"
Note: You can take a virtual tour of the winery via the following link to tempt yourself and make it your must-visit stop when you’re in Mendoza. Maal Wines is open Monday to Friday, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Where: Pasaje de la Reta 975, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo. Reservations: 261-5701013, turismo@maalwines.com or www.maalwines.com.