Chacra Chardonnay A meeting of minds

In the extreme terroir of Patagonian Argentina, two heirs to renowned European winemaking lineages are crafting a new paradigm for world-class Chardonnay

- AMANDA BARNES MW

In the rugged, windswept plains of Patagonia, where vineyards cling to the banks of the snaking Río Negro, an unlikely partnership has flourished. Jean-Marc Roulot, a sixth-generation vigneron from Meursault in Burgundy, and Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, grandson of the visionary behind Tuscany’s legendary Sassicaia, came together in Argentina to craft world-class Chardonnay. Their collaboration, rooted in friendship and a shared sense of adventure, blends centuries of tradition with a bold leap into the unknown.

While their family legacies precede them - the mastery of Burgundy whites passed down to Jean-Marc and Piero’s inheritance of Tuscan innovation - this partnership brings a surprising twist: a commitment to making some of the world’s finest Chardonnay in the uncharted terroir of southern Argentina.

They make a compelling duo. Piero is an extrovert, brimming with Italian charisma and charm, while Jean-Marc is thoughtful and introspective, his responses shaped by decades of careful observation as a renowned stage and screen actor. Yet, their differences complement one another, united by a shared hunger for discovery and an unwavering pursuit of perfection.

'PATAGONIA WAS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. IT WAS AN ADVENTURE'

Jean-Marc Roulot

The story of how these two wine-world titans found themselves in Patagonia is as captivating as the wines themselves.

Forging a new friendship

Piero’s and Jean-Marc’s paths first crossed in the early 2000s. At the time, Piero was living in New York, immersed in its vibrant wine scene. Having befriended many of the top sommeliers, he often joined them on buying trips to Burgundy.