Discovering Familia Vicente Pearce: A Journey of Passion, Wine, and Connection

In this latest episode of Uncork Your Mind, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Shawn Pearce from Familia Vicente Pearce, a unique winery that bridges the cultures of Buffalo, New York, and Mendoza, Argentina. Shawn shared his inspiring story of how he met his wife, Celia, and eventually sparked their joint venture into winemaking in the heart of Mendoza.

Shawn's journey into wine began while studying at Wake Forest, but it was his connection to Celia, who grew up in Argentina's wine-rich Mendoza region, that truly set the stage for what would become Familia Vicente Pearce. Together with Celia's brother, Juan Pablo, they’ve developed a winery focused on creating premium wines from sustainably farmed vineyards.

We delved into Mendoza's rich terroir, where vineyards sit 3,000 feet above sea level. Cool nights and alluvial soils provide the perfect conditions for growing classic Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Gamay. Shawn also discussed the company's commitment to organic farming, using drip irrigation, and sustainable practices to reduce its environmental footprint while producing exceptional wines.

Their wines are a testament to their passion, with each bottle reflecting the family’s love for both the land and the craft. From their limited-production, Gamay Rosé to their crowd-pleasing red blend, Corte, Familia Vicente Pearce offers a diverse range of wines that are perfect for any occasion.

If you're curious about wine from Argentina or looking for something new to try, be sure to listen to the full interview where we also discuss the creative artistry behind their labels, Celia’s design talents, and of course, our shared love for the Buffalo Bills!

Listen to the podcast or watch the webinar now and discover more about Familia Vicente Pearce!

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Wines and Restaurants

Friday evening we went out for dinner at Hotel Madeline in Tivoli. One thing I like about eating out is trying different wines.

We arrived early and had a glass before our friends arrived. I tried a 2005 Sauvignon Blanc called Indaba from South Africa. This was very good, but not as crisp as the New Zealands I like. It had soft citrus flavors with a slight taste of lemon on the side of your tongue. My husband had a glass of 2006 Altos Malbec from Mendoza. This was earthy with smoke on the finish.

The wine list at the restaurant reflected wines from all parts of the world. When you are out at a restaurant, it's always fun to taste wines you normally don't see. People tend to stick to what they know, XYZ winery from Napa etc.. but when you are out, it's a great opportunity to experiment and taste different wines from different regions of the world.

Next time you are out at a restaurant and they have a nice wine list, try something different from a region of the world you haven't tried.