It is very rare to find a traditional method Torrontes sparkling wine, and even rarer to find it at high altitude. The “Burbujas de Altura” project checks both of these boxes.
The Hoy family moved to Cafayate in the 1980s and started working in the high altitude wine industry. Andres senior (his son is also called Andres), worked for many years as an agronomist for a leading winery and, with his wife, now runs the wine tourism department for that same company. With his son (an agronomist) and a daughter Tania (a winemaker) also working in the industry it was natural that the family seek another creative outlet in the world of wine. Hence the Torrontes sparkling wine project called Burbujas de Altura (meaning High Altitude Bubbles) was born.
Burbujas de Altura winery in Cafayate producing sparkling from Torrontes
In 2010 the family purchased a tract of farmland called Finca La Primavera which already had vines planted but which needed plenty of work on both land and infrastructure. A whole family of expertise meant the vineyard soon started producing the quality Torrontes, Malbec, and also some Cabernet Sauvignon. The Hoy´s aromatic and floral Torrontes was then destined for something other than the very drinkable, still white wine it normally becomes.
The family has opted for the much more painstaking traditional process of sparkling wine production, the Champenoise method – something that is unique in Cafayate where all other producers of bubbles use the Charmat method. The Champenoise traditional method requires a second fermentation in the bottle (as opposed to the use of tanks in the Charmat method) and the wine ages on lees for many months before being subjected to remuage.
This is a very hands-on process of progressively turning and inclining of the bottle angle on racks meaning that the lees sediment gradually falls into the neck of the bottle where it gets frozen and removed. This very labor-intensive process rewards the producer with a more subtle and smoother wine, with finer bubbles and long finish and notes of baking spices and caramel.
The current operation is very small-scale, taking place in a refrigerated container. But within several months a custom-built (but still petite) winery, reception, and showroom will be completed to give visitors a better view of what goes on and how it tastes.
Burbujas de Altura produces a line of Brut Nature (4gr/lt) and Extra Brut (11gr/lt) which are limited to 4000 bottles per year currently. This bubbly spends 18 months aging on lees after a cold soak and fermentation, 100% Torrontes from the family vineyard, and delivering 11% alcohol in a very well-balanced sparkling wine.
Take it from us – when you try this lovely bubbly you will need to drink more! Ask us to include this visit to your time in Cafayate and enjoy an in-depth visit to the only traditional method Torrontes sparkling wine producer in the region.
