Santa Cruz, CA, March 20, 2019 – Wapisa, Coastal Patagonia’s only winery, and the California Ocean Alliance at the University of California at Santa Cruz, today announced a new partnership for the preservation and conservation of whales living off the coasts of Argentina. The announcement was made by Patricia Ortiz, owner and founder of Wapisa, the third in the Tapiz family of wineries, and Ari S. Friedlaender, Ph.D., associate researcher, Institute of Marine Sciences, UC Santa Cruz.
According to Patricia Ortiz, “Wapisa is the indigenous Patagonian word for whale and thus
the symbol of our wine. Not only do whales frequent the nearby coast of our vineyards, but a local legend talks of a wapisa that actually lived on land. Our wines, like the wapisa, are an expression not just of their soils but of the nearby ocean as well. As a proud Partner in Conservation of the California Ocean Alliance, we are committed to enhancing the lives of these whales so that their future is secure and thrives.”
Ari S. Friedlaender, Ph.D., explained that “As a Partner in Conservation, Wapisa will help
the California Ocean Alliance continue its focus on whale research, conservation and
education.”
About Wapisa
Located in San Javier, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina, Wapisa is just 25 miles from the
Atlantic Ocean. Wapisa is the only winery that exists in this unique coastal terroir. Their
vineyard “Finca Los Acantilados” is an estate that stands out for its lime clay soils, good
acidity and little organic matter. This is complemented by outstanding thermal amplitude as maritime breezes push in for the night, leading to balanced and fruity wines with a delicate varietal expression. Wapisa’s first vintage of Malbec received 95 points from James Suckling.
About California Ocean Alliance
The mission of the non-profit California Ocean Alliance is to conduct world-class marine
research which leads directly to sound policy decisions that safeguard the oceans and allow marine mammals to thrive into the next century. For more information visit
http://www.caoceanalliance.org/.
