Mariano Di Paola chosen “Winemaker of the Year” by Descorchados Guide
The renowned publication by Chilean wine journalist and critic Patricio Tapia has granted Marino Di Paola, Head Winemaker at Rutini Wines, the “Winemaker of the Year” award.
For almost three decades, Mariano has been responsible for our production, which currently stands at around 100 labels, and is recognized in both local and foreign markets for his talent and commitment, ingeniousness and undeniable contribution to the prestige Argentine wines enjoy all around the world.
His obsession with well-balanced, top-quality and elegant wines – by focusing on optimal ripeness and appropriate picking time – is the hallmark of a man who leads a team of excellence under the highest professional standards. Furthermore, Di Paola continuously tries and deploys technical improvement decisions and comes up with new ideas and disruptive changes: such is the case of the well-known roll fermentor, a wooden fermentation vat created by Pascal Conte and Di Paola himself in 2003, among many other innovations that have consolidated our positioning among consumers.
He is also engaged in constant experimentation and research, as in the study he conducted into the behavior of single vines within a same vineyard, thus recording differences in concentration levels and aromatic profiles and carrying out highly-sophisticated mapping through aerial photography, all of which is aimed at raising berry selection to unparalleled levels of detail.
Having taken part in 43 harvests in his vast career, which he initiated at a very early age, and filled a teaching position as tenured professor of Oenology at Don Bosco University in Mendoza for 23 years, in 2008 Di Paola led the construction of a new building in Tupungato to allow the winemaking process to be carried out in the vicinity of the vineyards and with the best available resources to maximize the quality of our wines.
All of this clearly explains why local and international wine critics echo his distinguished achievements, his still wines – which stand out for their richness of flavors and aromas, cleanliness and round tannins – as well as his sparkling labels which he produces in partnership with his son, Nani, and bear his unmistakable seal. Quoting Descorchados: “bright wines made by a winemaker who is fundamental to South America”. We take pride in him.