Clos de los Siete

The originators

Clos de los Siete is a world-class emblem of acknowledged international success.
It is a compelling human story of passion for a piece of land in Argentina…

An unprecedented challenge and a unique, novel concept:
850 hectares (2,100 acres) of vines at the foot of the Andes Mountains, in the Uco Valley near Mendoza.
4 bodegas run by 4 passionate Bordeaux families .
1 single wine named “Clos de los Siete”, blended by Michel Rolland, the originator of the project.

There are good places to grow wine everywhere, but Argentina
is especially blessed. Its position in relation to the Andes Mountains means you can play with altitude and benefit from milder weather in a very sunny country.
The soil types made up of gravel and stones that have washed down from the mountains are also particularly conducive. - Michel Rolland -

Michel Rolland first went to Argentina in 1988. He immediately fell in love with the country, the atmosphere there, the people, the beautiful landscape and the culture, as well as its fantastic winegrowing potential.

In his frequent return trips, Michel Rolland quickly became convinced that all the conditions were right in Argentina to grow a very great wine..

After searching around for a while, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Mendoza, the last city before reaching the majestic Andes he and Jean Michel Arcaute, a winegrower from Pomerol in the Bordeaux area, found an ideal plot of land at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,600 feet). There were more than 800 magnificent hectares (nearly 2,000 acres) uniquely exposed with soils made up of pebbles, clay and sand in which sparse semi-desert vegetation grew with here and there enormous boulders that have lain there since prehistoric times. The story of the Clos was about to begin…

The two originators were joined by friends, also winegrowers, passionate about wine and curious about this country at the other side of the world.

They adopted a unique, inventive concept and took up the enormous challenge of contributing together to producing one single wine under Michel Rolland’s supervision.

Four bodegas were then built. A part of the production of each is used to make and blend the shared wine “Clos de los Siete”. The rest goes into the wines of their own respective ranges: Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes and Bodega Rolland.

Clos de los Siete partners

“The work carried out at Vista Florès was as colossal as the winegrowing project, involving massive earthworks to clear the rock away, fill the fissures dug out by running rainwater and build 10 kilometers (over 6 miles) of levee to protect the vines from flooding during the rare, but diluvial rainstorms.” - Jean-Michel Arcaute -

Four key elements

In the name “Clos de los Siete” there are two ideas: the amazing unique challenge and a single block vineyard forming an enclosure called Clos en french. This name is also used for the wine, Clos de los Siete.

The wines of the Clos gain their success from the favorable combination of four key elements, which are hard to find all in one place, except here in Argentina.

I
Generous soils

Michel Rolland was quick to apprehend the incredible potential of these soils made up of pebbles, clay and sand. One meter (3.3 foot) down, the vines’ roots penetrate a bed of gravel, which provides natural drainage. Water, which is indispensable in this sun-bathed country, comes from springs fed by melting snow and glaciers up in the Andes Mountains.

II
Conducive weather

The weather here is very dry with widely varying temperatures between daytime and night, which is especially beneficial for concentrating tannins and color in the fruit.

III
Top flight vines

The vines grow at an altitude of 1,200 meters (3,800 feet). Apparently this suits them perfectly and they are cultivated with all the care of a great Bordeaux estate with manual pruning and canopy management, and controlled yields. Altitude is a key factor, because the substantial diurnal range of temperatures produces very high quality tannins.

IV
Beneficial orientation

The vines are oriented south/south-west and soak up the sunshine whatever the season.

Vine cultivation and winemaking

Malbec, which is the king of all grape varieties in Argentina, is an obvious choice for these soil types. It occupies more than half the total area of the estate and is planted at an unusual density of 5,500 vines per hectare.

To add complexity to the blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and a little less Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are used alongside the Malbec. Each variety contributes its characteristic personality to the final blend.

The vines are drip irrigated and great care is taken when the system is switched on and the flow is thoroughly checked so that the precise quantity of water is delivered to each plant, no more, no less.

The double Guyot pruning system is applied and the vines are espalier trained for optimal canopy development. Here the vines are cultivated just like for a Bordeaux grand cru classé with green harvesting, leaf removal, managed 1- to 3-hectare (2.5- to 7.5-acre) plots and very strictly controlled yields, which is essential when the aim is to produce top-quality wine.

Perfectionism and an unwavering quest for the best are everywhere: the fruit is harvested manually, it comes exclusively from the Clos (also called 'Estate Wine'), it is transported in wooden trays, screened on a sorting table and fed by gravity only to the most recently designed temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is later aged in French oak casks.

All the conditions are set for Clos de los Siete to be entirely unique.

2020, a challenging year - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Grape varieties
55% Malbec, 16% Merlat, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc.

IGenerous soils

IIConducive weather

IIITop flight vines

IVBeneficial orientation

Vine cultivation and winemaking

2020, a challenging year - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

2019, another great vintage for the Uco Valley - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

2018: one of the finest harvests of the last 30 years. - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

2017, a great year despite low yields - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

2016, the year of El Niño - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

“The unusual conditions in 2014/2015 meant that many people consider this an atypical year for Mendoza.” - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

“The thirteenth vintage of Clos de los Siete once again showcases the Malbec variety, which delights with its delicious, complex bouquet. Elegant and charming, this is another surprising vintage for Clos de los Siete!” - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

“Attractive deep purple in appearance, with flashes of intense crimson typical of Malbec, Clos de Los Siete 2013 presents the excellent quality of the grapes from the Vista Flores area.” - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

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Clos de Los Siete, a new star is born

I
Generous soils

II
Conducive weather

III
Top flight vines

IV
Beneficial orientation

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

“The thirteenth vintage of Clos de los Siete once again showcases the Malbec variety, which delights with its delicious, complex bouquet.
Elegant and charming, this is another surprising vintage for Clos de los Siete!” - Michel Rolland -

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born

Clos de Los Siete,
a new star is born