Sposatos launch winery in Argentina
The family behind Sposato Landscape Co. recently opened a new winery in Argentina and are set to showcase their wines at events in the Cape Region and in a number of local restaurants and stores.
Sposato Landscape co-owner Tony Sposato says landscaping pairs well with wine making, and the conpany's expansion is making for a nice balance.
When his family decided to diversify the company a few years ago, co-owner Tony Sposato said the first thought was to expand to new areas locally and to do more work in agriculture.
After considering the options, Sposato decided maybe that was not the change of pace he was looking for. Next, Tony said, he considered the grape.
Long accustomed to building landscapes, testing soils and planting countless trees, grasses, vines and shrubs on commercial and private properties, Sposato investigated growing grapes and decided he was interested in starting a winery.
After digging deep in research, Tony's wife, Karen, co-owner of Sposato Landscape, said they decided to check out properties in Argentina, where the soil and climate are perfect for growing grapes.
"We found a really nice piece of property in an up-and-coming area in Mendoza in 2012," she said. "What was really exciting was we found this piece of property that was virgin ground, and that's what we do, build from the ground up. It was an exciting adventure."
The 250-acre property is at the base of the Andes mountains, they said, between two high-end wineries, no more than a half-hour away from Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of Asia and the highest peak in the Southern and Western hemispheres.
Three years later, the landscaping family has hired a team of Argentines to manage the farm and acquired international attorneys. They visit several times each year and recently launched Sposato Family Vineyards.
"Why Argentina? That's the biggest question we get," Tony said. "Well, there was land available and a pristine environment to grow high-quality grapes. The soils are phenomenal, and we had help."
These days, the Sposatos are showcasing their new business with five wines, available in liquor stores and restaurants locally, including an entry-level and reserve Malbec, Cabernet Savignon, Savignon blanc and Chardonnay.
They produce and bottle their wines in Argentina, selling some on the Argentine market and shipping the rest to fill an already-growing demand on Delmarva.
In addition to a series of tastings at local wine stores, wine from Sposato Family Vineyards will be featured prominently in chef demonstrations at this weekend's SoDelFest, noon to 4:30 p.m. at Independence Hall in Millsboro.
Wine from Sposato Family Vineyards is available at most local wine shops and has been included on a growing number of wine lists in restaurants throughout the Cape Region.
For more information, go to www.sposatofamilyvineyards.com.
