Bodega TeHo Zaha 'Calcaire' Espumante, San Carlos, Argentina

From the stony soils of San Carlos in Argentina’s Uco Valley, where cool Andean air meets the brilliance of high-altitude sunlight, Bodega TeHo presents the Zaha ‘Calcaire’ Espumante, a sparkling Chardonnay that marries mineral precision with vibrant elegance. Crafted in the traditional method and sourced from limestone-rich vineyards, this wine captures the crystalline beauty of the Andes through fine bubbles, bright fruit, and refined complexity.

Product Details

• Producer: Bodega TeHo
• Owners: Alejandro Sejanovich & Jeff Mausbach
• Region: San Carlos, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
• Appellation: IG Paraje Altamira
• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
• ABV: 14%
• Farming Practices: Sustainable, hand-harvested from high-altitude vineyards
• Soil Type: Calcareous (limestone and alluvial stones)
• Fermentation: Primary fermentation in stainless steel; secondary fermentation in bottle (traditional method)
• Aging on Lees: 18–24 months for texture and autolytic depth
• Dosage: Brut Nature (minimal dosage)
• Production Quantity: Limited, artisanal release

Sensory Description

The Zaha ‘Calcaire’ Espumante shimmers with a pale straw hue and persistent, fine bubbles. Aromas of green apple, lemon zest, and white peach mingle with brioche, almond, and crushed chalk — a nod to its calcareous terroir. On the palate, it’s precise and textural, balancing crisp acidity with creamy mid-palate richness. Flavors of pear, citrus blossom, and toasted hazelnut unfold over a subtle saline minerality. The finish is long, clean, and invigorating — elegant yet full of quiet energy, evoking Champagne-like finesse through an Andean lens.

Awards & Accolades

• 92 Points – 2022 Vintage – Descorchados
• Silver – 2023 – International Wine Challenge
• 90 Points – 2021 Vintage – Tim Atkin MW

Producer’s Background

Bodega TeHo was founded by acclaimed Argentine winemakers Alejandro Sejanovich and Jeff Mausbach, former members of the Catena Zapata team. The name “TeHo,” meaning “blood of the earth” in the native Huarpe language, reflects their deep respect for Mendoza’s terroir. Their Zaha project focuses on single-site, soil-driven wines that express the purity of Paraje Altamira’s calcareous vineyards. The Calcaire Espumante is their rare sparkling expression — a celebration of altitude, limestone, and meticulous craftsmanship.

Serving Suggestions

Serve well-chilled at 6–8°C (43–46°F) in a flute or white wine glass. Ideal with meaty and oily fish such as salmon, tuna, or swordfish, as well as dishes featuring citrus, cream, or butter. It also pairs beautifully with oysters, roast chicken, or mild cheeses like Brie and Gruyère.

Refined, mineral, and effortlessly elegant, Bodega TeHo Zaha ‘Calcaire’ Espumante is a masterclass in Argentine sparkling wine — a luminous expression of Chardonnay that captures both the purity of limestone soil and the soaring freshness of the Andes.