El Enemigo is the passion project of two Argentinian friends, Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena, who dreamed it up during a twilight stroll along the River Thames in London in 2009. Alejandro is a renowned winemaker and soil expert who has headed operations at Bodega Catena Zapata, while Adrianna is a historian studying for her doctorate at Oxford University. Together, they founded El Enemigo with the goal of producing wines that respect tradition while rejecting the status quo.

The winery specializes in Bordeaux-inspired red and white wines, with an emphasis on Cabernet Franc. Visitors can begin their day by learning about the winery’s story and participating in master classes on agricultural practices. The orchards on the property supply most of the vegetables used at the on-site restaurant, Casa El Enemigo Vigil, which is run by Alejandro and his wife, María.

Casa Vigil offers some of the finest dining in the region, with tasting menus paired with the full portfolio of El Enemigo wines. The winery’s Cabernet Franc is renowned for its sharpness and tannic grip, and is peppered with a hint of Malbec. The ‘Gran Enemigo’ blend is also very popular, made with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Single varietal and single plot examples showcase the best of the Mendoza and Uco Valley soils.

El Enemigo’s techniques blend old and new, using fashionable concrete eggs in conjunction with 100-year-old Alsatian oak foudres. The foudres are shipped in from Italy before being re-toasted and reassembled, as per tradition. With its rebellious spirit and commitment to tradition, El Enemigo has earned a loyal following among wine lovers around the world.