Beginning in the early 1900’s, the "Asociación Vitivinícola Argentina"(Argentina
Association of Viticulture) and "Centro de Bodegueros de
Mendoza" first addressed the needs of an emerging group of
producers interested in global exposure. The two organizations
were independently responsible for maintaining quality
standards, establishing prices and accounting for the needs of
member companies. In August 2001, the two organizations united
to form Bodegas de Argentina that will represent grape and
fine wine producers accounting for 80% of current export
activity in the wine industry in Argentina.
Locally, companies associated with the newly formed Bodegas
de Argentina account for almost 40% of the table wine market
and almost 80% of the fine wine market nationally. In addition
to provincial representation, Bodegas de Argentina supports
national efforts to regulate wine production and the market on
behalf of the government. According to Juan Carlos Pina,
Manager of Bodegas de Argentina, “In the international market,
the member wineries participate in the major wine fairs and
organize wine tastings throughout the world. This activity is
helping to establish brand recognition.” Although Argentina
has only been exporting wine for the last five years, Bodegas
de Argentina, under previous nomenclature, participated in
MERCOSUR negotiations with member countries to develop
commercial regulations for the wine industry in each country
that went into effect in 1996. Today, the organization
continues to participate in periodic MERCOSUR meetings.
Centro de Bodegueros de Mendoza - now part of
Bodegas de Argentina
Rivadavia 592, 5500 Mendoza
Fax: 54- 261- 424-4477
Argentina Vitivinicultural Association (AVA) - now part of
Bodegas de Argentina is a collection of exporters whose aim is the promotion
of their members' products in the export market.
Asociación Vitivinícola Argentina
Güemes 4464, 1425 Buenos Aires
Fax: 54-11-4776-2529
Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV) is a government
body empowered to control all aspects of the growing and production
sides of the industry; it loosely helps in marketing. INV
is also the link with international associations. In addition
to drawing-up all sorts of rules and regulations, the Institute
maintains a large laboratory for quality control of export
wine. INV also maintains industry statistics.
Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura - http://www.inv.gov.ar
San Martín 430 Ciudad (5500)-Mendoza-Argentina
Tel: 54.261.449.6390