Mendoza Winemaker MasterClass with Federico Benegas
Join us as for an evening with Federico Benegas of Bodegas Benegas, one of Argentina’s most historic wine families whose remarkable legacy they have helped shape the wines of Mendoza.
The timing is especially fitting: September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, and we’re kicking off the season by exploring the wines, history, and people behind one of Argentina’s most important wine-growing families.
The story of Bodega Benegas begins with Don Tiburcio Benegas, a true pioneer of Argentine wine. In 1883, he founded the historic El Trapiche winery in Mendoza and played a foundational role in the development of the region’s modern wine industry. Alongside Silvestre Ochagavía Errázuriz in Chile and Hungarian-born Agoston Haraszthy in California, he is considered one of the three great pioneers who helped establish the wine industries of the Americas.
More than a century later, his great-great-grandson Federico Benegas Lynch would revive an important part of that family legacy. Raised at El Trapiche and introduced to wine from an early age, Federico learned to blind taste wines with his father and went on to study with some of the world’s most respected winemakers. In 1999, under the guidance of Trapiche head winemaker Angel Mendoza, Federico repurchased Finca Libertad, a vineyard originally owned by Don Tiburcio, and began producing wines under the Bodega Benegas name.
Over the following seven years, Federico completed fourteen harvests across France, Italy, and the United States, working with legendary names including Bob Levy at Harlan Estate, Michel Rolland at Le Bon Pasteur, and Alberto Antonini’s team in Tuscany. In 2000, Daniel Llose—whose winemaking résumé includes Lynch-Bages and Pichon Longueville Baron—produced the first vintage of Finca Libertad’s signature Bordeaux-style blend, combining Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot in equal proportions.
That Bordeaux influence remains central to the Benegas identity. In 2002, Federico produced Argentina’s first 100% Finca Libertad Cabernet Franc, and Michel Rolland famously recognized the vineyard as possessing characteristics reminiscent of 19th-century Cabernet Franc vineyards in Bordeaux. Over the years, acclaimed winemakers including Daniel Llose, Michel Rolland, and Paul Hobbs have consulted for Bodega Benegas.
Today, Bodega Benegas combines this extraordinary history with a distinctly Mendoza expression of classic Bordeaux varieties, with old vines, historic vineyards, and a deep connection to the land at the heart of the estate.
This is a chance to taste through the wines of Bodega Benegas while tracing a remarkable family story that spans more than 140 years of Argentine wine history—from Don Tiburcio’s pioneering work in Mendoza to Federico’s revival of Finca Libertad and the wines being made today.
Featuring:
Benegas Estate Chardonnay
Benegas Single Vineyard Chardonnay
Benegas Estate Malbec
Benegas Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines
Benegas Don Tiburcio Red Blend
Benegas Single Vineyard Finca Libertad Red Blend
Benegas Single Vineyard Malbec
$25 ticket price includes 1.5 hr tasting of wines and cheese & charcuterie boxes by Baker's Best. Space is limited. All wines will be available for purchase with special event night discounts. Please email chelsea@gordonswine.com if you have any allergies at least 48 hours before the event.
TICKETS CANNOT BE REFUNDED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE EVENT.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PICK UP YOUR WINE FROM MAIN ST. ON THE EVENING OF THE EVENT, PLEASE LET THE WINE DEPARTMENT KNOW AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE BY CALLING (781) 893-1900 EXT. 130 OR EMAILING DAILYFLASH@GORDONSWINE.COM.
EVENT QUESTIONS? PLEASE EMAIL CHELSEA@GORDONSWINE.COM
