Just like gauchos and cattle go together in this meat-loving country, winemaking and Argentina have become synonymous with quality and variety.

Winemaker Hector Durigutti has spent the past 20-plus years as one of the leaders in building his country’s wine profile by promoting the use of new grapes – Italian varietals.

 In June of 2009, Durigutti was presented the prestigious oenology medal by the Association of Argentinian Sommeliers. At least one wine writer dubbed Durigutti the “rock star” of winemaking for developing the Malbec varietal into a major wine export for Argentina during his years as a consultant at Altos Las Hormigas, one of the best known wineries in the country. Durigutti was cited by the Argentinian sommelier group for being involved in more than 15 consulting projects over his career, but most recently has been creating his own brands.

In a partnership with his friend Marcel Riesgo, the brand Ksana was born. Primarily made of Malbec and Bonarda varietals, the 2008 wines are among the top rated brands in Argentina, according to Wine Spectator magazine. 

In the past decade, he and his brother Pablo, who has also worked as a consultant for other wineries, have joined together to create their own Durigutti wines. Their Malbec and Bonarda varietals have received rave reviews by Argentinian and American wine reviewers alike. The 2005 Durigutti Malbec had a 90-point rating from Wine Spectator magazine.