BLŪ PHOENIX WINES
Rise Above
Each bottle of Blū Phoenix wine is an expression of a journey for something greater.
Phoenix de Uco Vineyards are located in G.I. Los Chacayes-Valle de Uco. Los Chacayes is one of the most prestigious sub-areas in terms of grape quality, giving rise to the best and most awarded wines in Argentina.
Phoenix de Uco Vineyard and Blū Phoenix Wines are the new reality of Laura Woodward - former business executive and executive coach. It came about not through a grand vision or long-held dream, but rather as a serendipitous twist of fate. What started as a passing curiosity turned into a passion that was never anticipated, growing roots without consciously planting them. This woman-owned, boutique, organic vineyard is dedicated to not only creating wine of uncompromising quality, but also building wine experiences that make the world a better place by giving back.
Just like the traditional phoenix rising from its ashes, the blue phoenix symbolizes our ability to rise above our past learnings and experiences, transforming ourselves into something greater.
In Chinese mythology, the blue phoenix is known as “Feng Huang,” representing harmony and balance in nature. It symbolizes yin energy, which complements yang energy (represented by the dragon – the Chinese symbol of the owner). Together, they represent harmony between opposing forces – a balance necessary for spiritual growth.
G.I. LOS CHACAYES- VALLE DE UCO Mendoza, Argentina
33°36’38”S 69°17’06”W
Our vineyards are located at the base of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 4,202ft on a bed of sandy loam with rocks with calcareous deposits. The combination of altitude, a semi-desert climate with 300 days of sunshine per year, hot days and cool nights, alluvial soil with excellent drainage, and the purest aquifer in the region that flows freely to water the vineyards, results in the ideal conditions to express the character of the area.
NATURAL PROCESS, BETTER WINE
We are not interested in appealing to the masses, but rather creating an experience that is meant to be savored and enjoyed.
All grapes are hand-harvested and begin the winemaking process within hours after collection. Each harvest, we carefully follow the progression of our grapes through the winemaking process to bring out the most unique, bold, and palate pleasing experiences of our wines. This may mean longer time in barrels or using a different type of fermentation vessel.
Indigenous Yeasts and No Aggregates
Achieving the most authentic expression of the grape, faithful to the terroir from which they come.
Sustainable Practices
We are committed to long-term viability of finite resources .
No Chemical Pesticides
We also fertilize with our natural compost to stay as close to nature as possible.
Double Guyot method and Soil Aeration
Enriching methods that are carried out to stimulate our vineyards
Sustainable Tools
We leverage different tools to be more efficient with natural and economic resources, allowing us to have a better management of the soil-water relationship.
GLOBAL G.A.P. Certification
Achieved GLOBAL G.A.P. Certification for agricultural practices. This regulation evaluates the interaction between 3 important elements: environment, people, and agriculture.
We leverage organic practices and have the endorsement of OIA (International Agricultural Organization) for official organic certification.
Interested in our vineyard or who we are?
OUR PEOPLE
Laura Woodward
Owner/Vintner
WSET Level 3 Wines Certified
While traveling to Argentina in 2020 right before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Laura came across this section in Uco Valley and couldn’t get it out of her mind. She has travelled extensively throughout the world and visited numerous vineyards and wineries. But something about this area spoke to her - so much so that she bought her vineyard without a solid plan about what was next.
Laura has always been intrigued with the beautiful balance of science and art and has incorporated this into her entire career. She is a former corporate executive, organizational development consultant, and certified executive coach. She also cofounded a leadership performance company to help individuals be the best they can be. Taking her skills and passion, she is now on a new adventure to create a wine that reflects her style – expressive, true to nature, and beautifully complex. She dove into not only learning the business, but also developing a business model that would further create communities and bring people closer together.
Laura spends her time between Wisconsin and Arizona in the USA with her wife and dog Scout. She still travels, loves to cook, and is always willing to try something new.
Gustavo Bauzá
Head Winemaker
For Gustavo Bauzá, being an enologist is a satisfaction and a way of life. Making unique and unrepeatable products that will cause a sensation of enjoyment and pleasure were the reasons that led him to become a winemaker.
He studied in the city of Mendoza, where he was born and currently resides with his wife and children. He was educated in the Agriculture and Enology Lyceum Domingo F. Sarmiento of the Cuyo National University, where he got his Enology degree. He also holds a degree in Enology and Fruit and Horticulture Industries in the Don Bosco School of the Juan Agustin Maza University, and, more recently, he has finished a wine oriented MBA in the same institution.
According to Bauzá, every moment is good for wine drinking, it’s just about finding good company. As he says, the wine, like the food, transmits a lot about the culture of a people, and it’s a center for meetings and pleasant moments. Today, as the enologist and winemaker, his greatest challenge of every grape harvest is to reach the highest potential of the fruit.
Gustavo Ursomarso
Operations Manager for the Winery and Vineyards
Gustavo is an Agricultural Engineer. He got his degree from Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, in Mendoza, Argentina and he is also a certified wine maker.
He is responsible for securing the best grape quality supply for each variety and a key player at Phoenix de Uco Vineyards, being the link between the vineyards and the oenological team. He ensures quality, organic, and sustainable practices occur in both the vineyard and winery.
A note of gratitude
Phoenix de Uco Vineyards and Blū Phoenix Wines would not be possible without an amazing support group willing to be part of an adventure without knowing the end result. Vineyard management and winemaking don’t just happen overnight. The first few years are about learning, experimenting, and the willingness to persevere when road bumps are hit or patience is lacking. For the 2021 and 2022 harvests, a group of spirited, fun-loving, and supportive friends joined the owners’ mission and an informal ‘wine club’ was formed. Members of the club made financial and supportive investments for producing large barrels of wine with no promise of return or quality. Virtual meetings were setup over the course of 2 years to share updates of every step in the process, trying a variety of wine styles, and building strong connections through stories and laughter. This ‘club’ helped formed the soul of this venture and forever will hold a special place in the owners’ heart.
We would also like to give a special callout to the owners of Spyglass Creative who willingly jumped in to design and launch the Blū Phoenix brand.
With Love and Gratitude,
Laura Woodward
Owner/Vintner
