From Casual Wine Tastings to Vineyard Ownership in Argentina’s Uco Valley
By Denise David
For a local area couple, Zane and Mindy Holscher, the journey to Argentina’s Uco Valley did not begin in a vineyard. It began around a table.
The couple had always shared a love of travel and a curiosity about wine. When the pandemic brought their travels to a halt, they began spending more time tasting wines with friends and family, learning about different varieties and discovering the stories held within each bottle.
Then came an opportunity neither could have imagined: the chance to purchase vineyard property within a fully operating wine enterprise in Argentina’s renowned Uco Valley. There was only one extraordinary detail—they had never personally visited the region.
The Holschers considered themselves wine enthusiasts, certainly, but not experts. What they lacked in formal experience, however, they made up for with curiosity, determination and a willingness to learn.
Over time, Zane and Mindy worked alongside local experts, winemakers and producers, deepening their understanding of the land, the grape varieties and the people responsible for creating Argentina’s world-class wines. The experience transformed an interest into a calling—and an unexpected opportunity into VINUV.
Today, VINUV offers two distinct wine labels, each reflecting a different part of the Holschers’ story.
The VINUV label takes its name from “vin,” meaning wine, and the Uco Valley, where its grapes are grown. It represents the company’s super-premium wines and celebrates the quality and character of the region.
Defenders, the company’s premium label, pays tribute to Zane’s military service. Its wines are designed to be approachable, welcoming and easy to enjoy.
Together, the labels express the philosophy at the heart of the Holschers’ business: exceptional wine does not have to feel exclusive or intimidating.
“Wine can be intimidating,” Mindy said. “Often, people keep buying the same wine because they aren’t aware of other options.”
That understanding has shaped the way Zane and Mindy introduce people to VINUV. They want wine drinkers to feel comfortable stepping beyond the familiar and discovering something new, while still honoring the craftsmanship, heritage and distinctive character that have made Argentina one of the world’s great wine regions.
What began as informal tastings with friends and family has since grown into an award-winning wine brand, with bottles available for nationwide shipping through VINUV.com. Yet for the Holschers, the journey has become about far more than producing and sharing wine.
Argentina welcomed them with open arms. Through their travels, they encountered a culture rich in warmth, hospitality and tradition—and met people who now feel like family.
Their hope is that each bottle offers others a connection to those people, places and experiences. Every pour is an invitation to discover the culture of the Uco Valley and what Zane calls “some of Argentina’s best-kept secrets.”
It is a fitting description of the journey itself: unexpected, deeply personal and meant to be shared.
As the VINUV philosophy says, “With Every Pour, A Story Unfolds.”
