Bodegas Lopez Vasco Viejo Malbec Mendoza

The Lopez family is now in its 5th generation with 4th generation brothers Carlos and Eduardo at the helm.  The winery was founded in 1898 by Jose Gregorio Lopez Rivas.  Jose immigrated to Argentina from Algarrobo in Malaga, Spain in 1886.  In Spain, Jose was a grape and olive grower, and he came to Argentina to escape the devastation from phylloxera that had come to Andalusia.  In Argentina, he worked very hard and saved money to bring his brother Rafael and his mother Feranda and other family members to Argentina.  Jose and Rafael managed to rent a small piece of land in Maipu where they grew grapes and began to make their own wines.  The first and founding brand was called “El Vasquito” and the current brand of Vasco Viejo pays homage to those wines.

The winery and the brands grew from this point forward gaining vineyard land and a bodega.  In 1934, the brand Chateau Vieux was introduced, Vasco Viejo in 1950, Montchenot 1966, “Seleccion Lopez” in 1969, Casona Lopez 2000, and all these introductions of brands showcase different terroirs, blends, and aging but all in a style that is known in Argentina as the “estilo Lopez” (or Lopez style).  So, while lots of Argentine producers have chased the “new” places to grow vines or the new winemaking ideas – Bodegas Lopez has stayed true to their beginnings.