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[title]Since he was a child, Santiago Mayorga, an agronomist and winemaker from Mendoza, felt a natural connection with nature—a bond that later shaped his approach to winemaking. The son of an agronomist, his relationship with the land was forged among vineyards, horses, and long days under the Mendoza sun, experiences that gave him a more sensitive outlook on life—one in which the landscape is not just observed, but interpreted. Today, Santiago is part of a contemporary generation that seeks to understand the identity of wine from its origin, with an honest and holistic vision.
His journey took him from early guidance alongside his father to leading teams at wineries that were key for him, such as Mendel; in this way, he developed an understanding of winemaking where technique, emotion, and context coexist. This profile aims to go beyond the name on the label to reveal the man behind it, explore his passions, decisions, and pursuits, and understand how Santiago Mayorga has transformed his craft into a way of sharing his world.
Who Is Santiago Mayorga, One of Mendoza’s Most Renowned Winemakers
In the world of wine, some careers are built on grandiose statements, and others on consistent work. Santiago Mayorga chose the latter. That dedication positions him today as one of Mendoza’s most solid winemakers, with a sensitive perspective on wine, an honest understanding of the landscape, and respect for those who have accompanied him from the start.
From a young age, he was connected to the land and nature, which led him to study agronomy. This education gave him a strong foundation to understand the land and its potential. Over time, that interest shifted toward wine, and he decided to devote his career to it.
Early hands-on experience on the farm, combined with academic training, allowed him to develop a vision of wine that is both technical and human. He worked with renowned figures such as Roberto de la Mota. “It was a real school. I learned to listen to the terroir, to look at the plant more than the formula, and to understand that wine is not a recipe, but an interpretation,” he explains.
“Wine is not a recipe, but an interpretation”
Santiago also trained abroad. His time in California and France broadened his horizons and refined his palate. “It’s not about copying models, but about learning from different ways of seeing,” he says. This international experience is reflected in his working style: open, dialogical, and curious.
For ten years, he worked at Mendel across multiple areas—from sourcing materials to winemaking and sales. This comprehensive view of the process left a lasting mark. In 2013, just over 30 years old, he became Head Winemaker at Nieto Senetiner. Since then, his name has appeared on recognized labels. He is also one of the founders of Cadus Wines: “There I was able to pursue a more experimental approach without losing the thread of technical precision that defines me,” he recounts.
What Mendoza Winemaker Santiago Mayorga’s Wines Are Like
Santiago seeks wines that are fresh, energetic, and fluid—wines that invite you to keep drinking. He favors wines with texture and good acidity. Concentration is not his defining feature; transparency is. While he values all styles, he leans toward wines that convey the landscape from which they come.
“Wine must be honest and tell something true”
Expressing the sense of place, he says, is his main driving force. To achieve this, technique must serve the origin: choosing the right harvest date, avoiding over-extraction, balancing the use of oak. He speaks of terroir in three dimensions: genetics, climate, and the human factor. He acknowledges that authenticity lies in understanding and respecting that combination.
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“Each bottle is a little piece of landscape interpreted your way. Wine must be honest and tell something true,” he says. That is why he believes diversity within a single winery is possible only if there is a strong connection to the origin. To sustain this over time, he emphasizes the importance of the team: humility to learn and the constant challenge that each harvest brings.
Santiago Mayorga Beyond Winemaking
Outside of wine, another side of him emerges. He loves the mountains, animals, horses, and time with friends. For over ten years, he has crossed the Andes on horseback with a group of companions who are now part of his journey. There are no phones or signals—those days, he connects with something essential in himself and life. He also enjoys spending time with family, cooking, watching movies, and gathering with friends. Patagonia is his personal haven: “Those landscapes make me feel free. I am someone who values freedom: breathing fresh air, walking, enjoying wide vistas, losing myself in what my eyes see.”
“The landscapes of Patagonia make me feel free”
Today, he seeks harmony between professional and personal life: “When I’m not working, I love being active—walking, trekking, going to the mountains, or riding horses.”
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Santiago Mayorga no longer chases everything but chooses with clarity. Enjoyment is a priority—in work, at home, and with loved ones. He describes himself as joyful, observant, a good listener, someone who shares, who is moved by music, and who finds inspiration in travel. Ultimately, he is someone who chooses to live as he makes wine: with freedom, depth, and respect for the place he calls home.