Lagarde

Lagarde, also known as Bodega Lagarde, is an Argentine wine producer based in Luján de Cuyo in Mendoza Province. Established in 1897 by artillery captain José Ángel Pereira, the winery began with plantings of Malbec and Cabernet Franc, two varieties that remain closely associated with Mendoza’s wine identity. Some of the original vines continue to contribute fruit to Lagarde’s Malbec production. The winery retains historic buildings from its early period, including a nineteenth-century manor house that now forms part of its visitor and restaurant experience. The business passed into the ownership of the Pescarmona family in 1969, when Luis Menotti Pescarmona acquired it from a descendant of Pereira who had no heirs to continue the estate. Under Pescarmona ownership, Lagarde expanded beyond its original vineyard holdings and developed a broader portfolio of Mendoza wines. The estate now comprises five vineyards situated across important viticultural areas, including Luján de Cuyo, Perdriel, Agrelo, Gualtallary and the Uco Valley. This geographic spread allows the winery to work with different elevations, soils and microclimates while maintaining a connection to traditional Mendoza varieties. Lagarde’s portfolio is organized into several principal collections. Altas Cumbres is positioned as a youthful, expressive range and includes Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Torrontés. The Lagarde, or Henry Lagarde name in the United States, is the winery’s core reserve-oriented range and includes varietal wines made from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Chardonnay. Guarda focuses on single-vineyard expression, with wines such as Cabernet Franc, a Malbec carrying a denomination-of-origin designation, and a blend. Primeras Viñas is centered on Malbec from two historic vineyards planted in 1906 and 1937, emphasizing the estate’s old-vine heritage. The winery is managed by the third generation of the Pescarmona family. Sofía Pescarmona has managed the vineyard since 2001 and has overseen the modernization of the historic operation, while Lucila Pescarmona is responsible for exports and serves on the board of Wines of Argentina. Winemaker Juan Roby Stordeur has been associated with the winery since 2002. Their leadership places Lagarde among the Argentine wineries represented by a newer generation of women in the country’s wine industry. In addition to wine production, Lagarde operates two restaurants at the winery, making hospitality and cellar-door tourism part of its business model. Its wines have received recognition from publications including Wine Enthusiast and The Wine Advocate. In 2025, Forbes ranked Lagarde fifth in its Best Wineries in the World listing, according to the referenced Wikipedia material. Lagarde remains a privately held, family-managed winery whose positioning combines historic Mendoza vineyards, modern winemaking, varietal breadth and destination hospitality.

Lagarde was founded in 1897 in Luján de Cuyo, one of Mendoza’s historic wine-producing areas, by José Ángel Pereira, an artillery captain who had participated in a military campaign in the region. Pereira planted Malbec and Cabernet Franc, establishing the agricultural foundation for a winery that would later become associated with both traditional Mendoza varieties and premium vineyard expression. A portion of the original plant material has continued to produce grapes used in Lagarde Malbec. The estate changed hands in 1969. A great-grandchild of Pereira had no heirs to assume control and transferred the winery to his close friend Luis Menotti Pescarmona. The Pescarmona family retained ownership and developed the property over subsequent generations. During this period, Lagarde acquired four additional vineyards, increasing its ability to source grapes from distinct Mendoza sites and introducing a wider selection of varieties into the portfolio. The winery’s physical identity remains linked to its origins. Its production facilities occupy the original wine-making area, while historic structures have been preserved and adapted for contemporary use. A nineteenth-century manor house serves as the setting for one of the winery’s restaurants, connecting the estate’s hospitality proposition with its architectural and agricultural heritage. Lagarde operates two restaurants at the winery. The current operation is associated with the third generation of the Pescarmona family. Sofía Pescarmona has managed the vineyard since 2001 and has guided the transformation of the older operation into a more modern facility while maintaining its historic character. Her sister Lucila Pescarmona oversees exports and serves on the board of Wines of Argentina, linking the winery to the country’s broader international wine-promotion network. Winemaker Juan Roby Stordeur has worked with Lagarde since 2002. Lagarde’s vineyards are distributed across Luján de Cuyo, Perdriel, Agrelo, Gualtallary and the Uco Valley. This structure supports a portfolio ranging from accessible, youthful wines to reserve and single-vineyard bottlings. Altas Cumbres offers expressive wines made from varieties including Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Torrontés. The core Lagarde range, known as Henry Lagarde in the United States, is generally presented as a reserve line of 100-percent varietal wines. Guarda emphasizes single-vineyard wines, including Cabernet Franc, a Malbec with a denomination-of-origin designation and a blend. Primeras Viñas focuses on Malbec from two historic vineyards planted in 1906 and 1937. The winery’s wines have received published critical recognition. Reported examples include a 90-point rating for the 2012 Lagarde Malbec from Wine Enthusiast, a 92-point rating for the 2010 Primeras Viñas Malbec from Wine Enthusiast and a 91-point rating for the 2011 Guarda Cabernet Franc from The Wine Advocate. In 2025, Lagarde was reported as ranking fifth in Forbes’ Best Wineries in the World listing. The winery remains a privately owned Argentine producer combining historic vineyard resources, family management, a multi-tiered wine portfolio and destination hospitality.

• 2025

  Lagarde receives a Forbes world-winery ranking

  [1]Lagarde (winery)en.wikipedia.org

  Lagarde is reported as fifth in Forbes’ Best Wineries in the World ranking.

• 2002

  Juan Roby Stordeur becomes winemaker

  [1]Lagarde (winery)en.wikipedia.org

  Juan Roby Stordeur begins his association with Lagarde as winemaker.

• 2001

  Sofía Pescarmona begins managing the vineyard

  [1]Lagarde (winery)en.wikipedia.org

  Sofía Pescarmona assumes vineyard-management responsibilities and later helps modernize the operation.

• 1969

  The Pescarmona family acquires Lagarde

  [1]Lagarde (winery)en.wikipedia.org

  Luis Menotti Pescarmona takes ownership of the winery, beginning the family’s long-term stewardship.

• 1937

  Second historic Primeras Viñas vineyard is planted

  [1]Lagarde (winery)en.wikipedia.org

  A second historic vineyard later contributing to Primeras Viñas Malbec is established.

• 1906

  First historic Primeras Viñas vineyard is planted

  [1]Lagarde (winery)en.wikipedia.org

  One of the old vineyards later used for Primeras Viñas Malbec is planted.

• 1897

  Lagarde is founded in Mendoza

  [1]Lagarde (winery)en.wikipedia.org

  José Ángel Pereira establishes the winery in Luján de Cuyo and plants Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

A historic, family-owned Mendoza winery combining heritage vineyards, premium and single-vineyard wines, modern management and winery-based hospitality.

• Young and expressive wine range

  Altas Cumbres

  Altas Cumbres is Lagarde’s youthful, expressive collection. The range includes Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon alongside white and aromatic varieties such as Viognier and Torrontés. It represents an accessible expression of the winery’s Mendoza vineyards and provides a broad introduction to the estate’s varietal portfolio.

• Core reserve wine range

  Lagarde / Henry Lagarde

  The Lagarde range is the winery’s core reserve-oriented collection and is known as Henry Lagarde in the United States. It is built around 100-percent varietal wines, including Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Chardonnay. The range expresses the winery’s principal grape varieties across red, white and aromatic styles.

• Single-vineyard wines

  Guarda

  Guarda is Lagarde’s single-vineyard collection, emphasizing site-specific character rather than a general multi-site expression. The portfolio includes Cabernet Franc, a Malbec associated with a denomination-of-origin designation and a blend. It is positioned toward more detailed and premium expressions of the winery’s vineyard holdings.

• Historic-vineyard Malbec

  Primeras Viñas

  Primeras Viñas is a Malbec collection made from grapes originating in two historic Lagarde vineyards planted in 1906 and 1937. The line highlights the continuity of the estate’s old vines and connects contemporary bottlings with the winery’s long agricultural history in Mendoza.

• 2001

  Modernization under Sofía PescarmonaStrategy

  Background

  Lagarde was a historic winery with original structures and long-established vineyard assets.

  Action taken

  Sofía Pescarmona took on vineyard management and helped modernize the facility while retaining its historic character.

  Aftermath

  The winery developed a contemporary operating model alongside preserved buildings, expanded vineyards and a hospitality offering.

  Source

• 1969

  Transfer of ownership to the Pescarmona familyOther

  Background

  The descendant of founder José Ángel Pereira who controlled the winery had no heirs to continue the estate.

  Action taken

  Luis Menotti Pescarmona acquired Lagarde and began the family’s ownership period.

  Aftermath

  The Pescarmona family expanded the vineyard base, introduced additional varieties and continues to own and manage the winery.

  Source

1. 1Lagarde (winery)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Lagarde official websitelagarde.com.ar