The wine-growing region is located in the very south of Argentina between the Pampa and Patagonia and includes parts of the provinces of La Pampa, Neuquén and Río Negro. With apple and pear trees planted on around 50,000 hectares, the two provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén are considered Argentina's fruit chamber. The vineyards cover 5,500 hectares. With an average altitude of 300 metres above sea level, they are the lowest in Argentina. They are situated on the banks of the Río Negro, Limay and Neuquén rivers, which supply the water for the artificial irrigation that is essential due to the great drought. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Neuquén was dammed, creating a very fertile valley about 120 kilometres long and eight kilometres wide. The region is divided into the growing zones Alto Valle del Río Negro (considered the best), Valle Medio del Río Negro, Alto Valle del Río Colorado and Valle Medio del Río Colorado.
In summer there are sunny, warm and mild days with cool nights. The climatic conditions and the chalky alluvial soil of gravel and sand create ideal conditions, especially for white wines. The musts have a higher acidity and a lower sugar content than in the other regions. This is why many basic wines for the sparkling wine industry are produced here. The most important white wine varieties are Torrontés Riojano, Pedro Giménez, Sémillon, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling. The red wine varieties are dominated by Malbec (Cot), Merlot (whose successful planting was recommended by the French oenologist Michel Rolland ), Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda. Well-known producers are Humberto Canale, Fabre Montmayou and Ghirardelli.
