Prioritizing people and implementing sustainable practices, Vino del Sol has the long game in mind.
In 2004, a young MBA student, Matt Hedges, and a top Argentine sommelier, Alejandro Darago, teamed up to create Vino del Sol. Known as The Argentine Wine Specialist, the company’s mission has evolved into becoming a “trusted source.” This key factor has allowed them to compete and keep growing in a crowded market.
“As we started to grow, customers said, ‘Hey, you are doing a very good job supplying us with Argentine wine; we trust you. Can you now start bringing us other things?’” says Hedges. In 2008 they branched out into sake and then Californian wine in 2011. Their current portfolio also includes wines from New Zealand and Spain. They work with producers such as LangeTwins Winery and Kura Selections—among others.
Vino del Sol’s commitment is evident in their long-standing partnerships with wineries, some lasting up to twenty years, allowing them to build their brands successfully in the USA while helping them to innovate.
What makes Vino del Sol a trusted source is their dedication to exclusively working with wineries that own their estates, prioritize sustainable practices and are family-owned. “Good people, good wine and representation of terroir are the three criteria,” Hedges affirms, commenting on the company’s core tenets. They provide Hedges and Darago with assurance of the wineries’ commitment and long-term perspective, which are crucial for a successful partnership.
Having estate-owned fruit enables wineries to maintain a constant sense of terroir and quality control. “Family businesses think long-term,” says Hedges, further noting that they work with wineries that are sustainable because “we all want to do the right thing and be around for a long time.”
From the company’s inception, the two partners have focused on showcasing unique terroirs. “We constantly try to bring something new and exciting,” says the American importer. A recent addition to their selection is Tara, a wine originating from the Atacama Desert. Another example is the Argentine Wapisa brand, featuring wines from vineyards located close to the Atlantic Ocean. “We want to stay relevant,” he adds.
Staying relevant means embracing innovation. “We innovate working with our existing winery partners—finding new ways to help grow their business, and our shared business, through market trends,” says Hedges. This led to the introduction of Osmosis, wines that are low in calories and alcohol content. Zolo Zero, is the first non-alcoholic wine to join the lineup. Additionally they recently launched a 10-year-old Kentucky Bourbon, aged an additional four months in Malbec barrels. “Innovating with our current partners that’s what we are focusing on in 2025.”
Having a driven team contributes to a company’s success. “We make sure that our sales team has a direct personal relationship with the wineries. I think they all realize what special people and wines we represent and what an honor it is to sell these wines,” he said of Vinos del Sol’s dedication to building strong relationships and nurturing their staff’s knowledge.
Education and the cultivation of these connections extend to their clients. “We’d brought over 700 distributors and retailers down to Mendoza during the last 20 years to learn about the terroir and meet the families. We’re starting to do that in other countries, too.”
Vino del Sol is an innovative and trusted source in the wine industry, representing wineries across 50 states. Wine Enthusiast is honored to present this company with the Wine Star Importer of the Year Award.
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Published: November 14, 2024
