San Juan, where Jelu Estate is based, is around 100 miles north of Mendoza. The company was established there in 2002. Duncan Killiner, the company's co-founder and winemaker, frequently discusses the unique environment of the Zonda Valley. When Duncan was in his twenties, he became known as a "flying winemaker," consulting for vineyards all around the globe. During that time, they worked 80 harvests. He stopped in Uruguay for a while before taking a position in Mendoza, Argentina, in 2002. After working there for six months, he saw Argentina for what it was truly capable of. Duncan gets his grapes from places like San Juan's Zonda Valley and Patagonia, both of which practice organic farming methods. January (the southern hemisphere's equivalent of July) is grape harvest time, which is earlier than the norm for the region. Duncan does this so that the wines end up with just the right amount of acidity and alcohol after fermentation is complete. Duncan's passion for winemaking and the San Juan region's natural beauty come through in the vibrant, vivacious wines made in the high-elevation glacial valley.
