GARZÓN, Uruguay--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bodega Garzón, a boutique winery in the idyllic countryside of Garzón, Uruguay founded by international vintner Alejandro P. Bulgheroni, is pleased to announce that it is the first sustainable winery outside North America to be awarded LEED Silver certification and the first facility in its entirety including process, hospitality, offices, cellar and wine club to be one hundred percent LEED Silver certified. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.
Bodega Garzón’s icon wine Balasto, the first wine to be sold by Bordeaux Negociants, is made in the LEED Silver certified winery. Christian Wylie, Managing Director, is honored to be showcasing three vintages of Balasto at the upcoming international wine and spirits exhibition Vinexpo Bordeaux 2019, as the event’s theme – Shape the Future – is timely. Bodega Garzón will also be taking part in a symposium the event is launching that will explore the effects of climate change on the wine and spirits industries.
Conceived by the acclaimed Argentina-based architecture firm Bórmida & Yanzón, the 205,000-square-foot winery boasts sustainable design developed by Bodega Garzón’s director of construction Carlos Hartmann, architect and sustainability expert (LEED AP). Throughout the LEED-certification process, the winery received the highest possible scores in water efficiency and design innovation. Additionally, the winery is the first to implement innovative wastewater technologies and is using one hundred percent non-potable water for irrigation. Bodega Garzón also uses the highest percentage of regional materials and has exemplary performance in green power as well as public transportation access, reducing emissions considerably.
Elegantly built into the hills and over natural terraces – a design that enables the process of gravity winemaking – Bodega Garzón has developed a biodiverse environment and optimizes energy efficiency with the largest green roof with native species in Latin America, rainwater harvesting and reuse, as well as a high-efficiency HVAC with heat recovery. The modern winery is producing wines celebrated by preeminent wine critics and establishing itself as a world-renowned destination furthering sustainability, wine culture and tourism in Uruguay.
“As the first to make wine in the Garzón region of Uruguay, we had a responsibility to construct something that will have a long-lasting legacy and that will protect the purity of the surrounding land and wildlife,” notes Bulgheroni. “I’m extremely proud of my team for achieving this award and for setting a new benchmark in the wine industry for sustainable design.”
A leader in innovative design, the state-of the-art winery encompasses 500 acres of vineyards, a production facility, tasting room for visiting guests, retail space, wine club, and open-fire 120-seat restaurant led by celebrity chef Francis Mallmann, as well as immaculate caves for barrel storage, tours, private dining and evenings. It is also home to Garzón Tajamares Golf, an exclusive 18-hole golf club designed by Masters and U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera, as well as The Garzón Club, South America’s newest private, members-only club. The design and placement of buildings was carefully planned to allow guests to immerse in unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside.
In 1999, when Mr. Bulgheroni and his wife Bettina acquired the property that evolved into Bodega Garzón, they embarked on a journey to create terroir-inspired, estate-grown and limited-production premium wines with integrity, concern for biodiversity, and the preservation of natural resources. Under Bulgheroni’s direction, the winery has pursued LEED certification and sustainable agriculture and adopted green farming practices in the vineyards. Influential winemaker and viticulturist Alberto Antonini oversaw Bodega Garzón vineyard plantings and development, combining the styles of old-world elegance and new world energy to craft the estate-grown, limited-production premium wines.
Bodega Garzón’s constant innovation of vineyard practices, varietal development and winemaking techniques focused on improved wine quality have recently earned it numerous accolades and accomplishments such as:
- New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Wine Star Awards 2018 for its innovation and leadership for Uruguay and its contribution to the world of fine wine.
- Top 100 ranking of Bodega Garzón 2015 Balasto in Wine & Spirits’ Best Wines of 2018
- Top 100 ranking of Bodega Garzón 2015 Tannat Reserva in Wine Spectator
- Best in Show – Best Red Single Varietal for Tannat Single Vineyard 2015 in Decanter World Wine Awards
- Top recognition by celebrated wine expert James Suckling, for Balasto 2017 (95 points); Balasto 2016 (94 points); Balasto 2015 (94 points); Albariño Single Vineyard 2018 (94 Points); Petit Verdot Single Vineyard 2017 (94 Points) and more, see www.jamessuckling.com
About Bodega Garzón
Bodega Garzón is an emergent family estate in the idyllic country of Uruguay, pioneered by Alejandro P. Bulgheroni that produces limited-production premium wines from estate-grown, sustainably-farmed grapes. Unique in the region, Bodega Garzón is leading the charge in winemaking innovation, varietal experimentation, and sustainability. Although focused primarily on Tannat, Uruguay’s national grape, Bodega Garzón works with many other varietals and clones. It is one of the few producers of Albariño in the country.
Opened in March 2016, Bodega Garzón sets new benchmarks for elegance of design, modern technology, and sustainable practices. Bodega Garzón is the first winery outside North America to comply with the strict requirements set by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and the first winery in the world to earn LEED certification for its entire facility, including winemaking and hospitality.
