Meet Susana Balbo, the First Female Enologist in Argentina
Susana Balbo Wines is one of the most sought-after wineries in Luján de Cuyo, a province in Mendoza, Argentina, the fifth-largest wine-producing country in the world after Italy, France, Spain, and the United States. The history of wines in Argentina dates to the 16th century. The Spanish colonized Argentina around 1550 and introduced viticulture by planting vines they brought with them. Those 16th century Spaniards certainly packed accordingly for their trip!
Wine Folly Map
Susana Balbo grew up in Mendoza within a strict family of grape growers. Susana was not allowed to leave the region to study: “With a military government, my parents would not allow me to leave our province to study, which was my initial plan.” There were very few university options at the time, and Susana enrolled in Don Bosco University (Mendoza), in 1976 to study enology and stay closer to home.
In 1981, Susana graduated from Don Bosco University with a degree in enology and became the first female enologist in Argentina. She found herself ready for the next chapter in her life, which, of course, included wine: “My passion for wine is a result of having excellent teachers, truly passionate for wine and the industry. They taught me how important the development of quality wines was to our region and our culture.”
Upon graduating, Susana started her wine career at Michel Torino Winery in Cafayate and was responsible for developing and producing wine made from Torrontès, the signature white Argentine grape varietal. Then in 1989, she embarked on a journey as consulting winemaker at the renowned Martins, Catena Zapata as well as several other well-regarded wineries around the globe.
Views from Susana Balbo’s Estate (courtesy of Folio Fine Wine)
In 1999, Susana decided to take a bit of a gamble and put all of her education, experience, and instinct to work and start her own winery: “I started a new endeavor, Susana Balbo Wines, and mainly focused on exports enabling me to develop a successful project that I am proud of today.” In the past twenty years, Susana Balbo Wines slowly but steadily expanded into the local market to fulfill the demand from a growing wine-tourism industry all while becoming a successful global brand.
The Drinks Business magazine, a leading international beverage magazine, named Susana to their “Most influential winemakers” list in 2012 and awarded her “Woman of the year” in 2015. It comes as no surprise that Susana supports and mentors young female enologists: “I worked with Florencia Stoppini, who is now working for a significant winery in Spain and also with Soledad Vargas, the winemaker of Finca La Anita in Mendoza.”
A long-time women’s advocate, Susana, in 2017, was the first female and Latin American to preside over a W20 summit (an extension of the G-20). The W20 is a global network committed to promoting gender inclusiveness and gender equality on a world level, with its main theme being the empowerment of women.
Susana is not only an inspiration to countless women and men around the globe, but also to her children: “José, my son, is an enologist; and Ana, my daughter, studied Business Management and manages our marketing, and both are capable of taking over the business.”
Susana is proof that women can do it all!
Cheers,
Anna
Please see below some of my favorite Susano Balbo’s signature wines:
Susana Balbo 2018 Signature Brioso White Blend Valle de Uco (Suggested Retail Price: $24): This blend of Torrontès (30%), Sauvignon Blanc (35%) and Semillon (35%) result in a vibrant and floral white wine with aromas of passion fruit, fresh cut grass, and mandarin orange zest. Perfect pairing with Asian food.
Susana Balbo 2017 Signature Brioso Agrelo Mendoza (SRP: $45): A rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. This wine shows complex layers of red and black fruits, dried plums, notes of espresso and a hint of fresh mint in the background. This wine will age beautifully. A must-have in your cellar!
(Thumbail and winery photos provided by Folio Fine Wine).
