Las Payas

Las Payas is a winery in San Rafael, Argentina, that produces 'vinos de autor' (author wines) with minimal intervention, using native yeasts, no wood, and total sulfur dioxide below 30mg/l. The winemaker personally hosts visits by appointment and describes the wines as having 'blood traction' that resist being handled too much. The business aims to put a piece of truth into a bottle by recovering old winemaking modes without modern chemicals.

The winery was founded in 2005 when the winemaker started making wine in a shed, evolving from a hobby into his main occupation. In 2018, Las Payas became the first artisanal winery in Argentina to export its wines, proving to the state that no special permissions were needed. Today, the wines are distributed in Brazil, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Central America.

The winery uses a unique 'blood traction' method where the wine is made with minimal intervention, avoiding any additives that give flavor. Specific practices include not filtering, stabilizing, or clarifying the wine, and keeping sulfur dioxide levels under 30mg/l total.

During the pandemic, the winery launched a crowdfunding campaign to plant a small agroecological vineyard called 'El Colectivo'. This project successfully gathered resources from many people to plant Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Ancellota, Corvina, and Nero d'Avola grapes.

The winery operates on a single harvest cycle per year for fermentation, meaning there is only one shot per year to correct designs or experiment with new ideas. This long cycle forces the winemaker to wait until the next year for new experiments or corrections.

Las Payas has established distribution partnerships with specific importers and distributors in various countries, including Rosforth & Rosforth in Denmark and Sweden, Solo el amor Girona in Spain, WS4U in Brazil, and Ernie Solór in Central America.

The winery's project description emphasizes a dream of exporting and a journey to find the most direct path between the land and the drinkers, clearing away as many interferences as possible.

The winery's catalog and project sections on their website highlight the author's personal involvement and the unique story behind each bottle of wine.

The winery's approach to sustainability includes an agroecological vineyard and a commitment to minimal chemical intervention in the winemaking process.

The winery's team structure is centered around the winemaker himself, who personally manages visits and communicates directly with customers.

The winery's reach extends globally through its export success, making it a notable player in the artisanal wine scene in Argentina.

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