A Vision, A Destiny

After founding and developing ‘Top 100’ wineries in California’s Napa Valley (Revana Estate) and Oregon’s Willamette Valley (Alexana Estate), Dr. Revana’s passion for adventure brought him to Argentina and through serendipity, 15 years later, his place in Argentina Wine History has been written as the pioneer of the Rhône Revolution in Argentina.

A revolution that began with Dr. Revana’s first visit to Mendoza in 2008. A chance adventure to Uco Valley with the pioneer of old-vine, single-vineyard Malbec (Santiago Achaval) led him to the western edge of Tunuyan, surrounded by thousands of hectares of native desert and covered by endless stones. A place that would ignite the dream to create Argentina’s first ever wines with the Rhône varieties.

A vision to plant a vineyard that could challenge the world’s greatest examples of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Hermitage.

Unknowingly at the time, this first vision was formed only steps away from the Arroyo Grande, which 10 years later would become the geographical epicenter of one of Argentina’s most exciting young wine regions, Los Chacayes IG.

These two vintners (Dr. Revana and Santiago Achaval) came from very different worlds, but had one thing in common; they were dreamers willing to take a huge risk and put their reputations on the line to create something that had never been done before. 

The first vines of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah (clone 174) were planted to Dr. Revana’s Vineyard in 2008 and three years later, the first clusters were hand-harvested and put into a 10HL fermenter to co-ferment together, they became a part of Argentina Winemaking History with the birth of ‘LUMINOSO’.

Winemaker Cristian Moor joined the team during a benchmark vintage that led to a range of new wines produced from selections of extraordinary barrels. Including the ‘Block 13’ Grenache, Single Parcel Malbec series (Block 13, 22 and 6) along with the ultra exclusive ‘Inedito’ Malbec.

In 2019, the 2016 Gran Reserva Malbec scored 94 points and is listed as #74 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List of 2019, and two years later the 2017 Gran Reserva Malbec scored 95 points and is listed as #61 on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 List of 2021.

After his promotion In 2023 Cristian passed the baton to former Assistant Winemaker, Luciano Bastias, who became the Head Winemaker, and during that same year Corazón del Sol officially became ‘Certified Organic’ – a testament to continuing a reputation for quality.

In 2024 Dr. Revana’s mission to bring Los Chacyes to Mendoza was fulfilled with the opening of the Cava tasting room in the heart of the city.