The production and consumption of wine in Argentina dates back to over four hundred years ago when the first specimens of Vitis vinifera were brought to the Americas by the Spanish colonizers in the early 16th century.
In 1551, the first vines were planted in Argentina, spreading rapidly in the central, western and northeastern areas of the country. Favored by the optimum soil and weather conditions of the Andean region, the winemaking industry experienced rapid, extensive growth.
The Catholic priests who came to these lands planted vineyards near their monasteries to ensure the provision of wine for the celebration of Holy Mass.
During the XIX century, European immigrants introduced new vinegrowing techniques and grape varieties, which found an ideal environment for their development in the Andes and the RÃo Colorado Valley.
Between 1850 and 1880, Argentina eventually got to join the international economic networks. Two factors made this possible: the expansion of the railway, which contributed to the development of communications among the provinces; and the incorporation of Patagonia to the national territory after the Conquest of the Desert, which forced the indigenous peoples of the region to retreat. The incorporation of lands that were well-suited to agricultural and livestock production and the arrival of immigrants laid the foundations for the development of the wine industry as a national industry.
