“The international recognition of my wines is my greatest achievement as a winemaker, the result of all my efforts and many years of hard work. I could say that my business is like my third child—a dream come true.” Susana Balbo
Born into a traditional family, Susana defied her expected path. At a young age, she wanted to study nuclear physics in Bariloche. But her parents opposed this unconventional choice at the time and refused to let her leave Mendoza. She therefore turned, by default, to a career in the family winery. She was the first woman to study viticulture and oenology in Mendoza, and she fell in love with the world of wine.
In 1981, Susana earned her degree in oenology and began her career in Cafayate, in the province of Salta, at Michel Torino’s winery. There, she was responsible for developing and promoting the Torrontés grape variety. She went on to work at numerous renowned wineries, including Martins and Catena Zapata.
In 2012, she was named one of “The Most Influential Women in Wine” by The Drink Business magazine. Later, in 2015, she was honored by the same magazine as “Woman of the Year.”
Most recently, in 2018, the magazine once again honored her by including her on its list of the “10 Most Influential Women in the World of Wine.”
Throughout her career as a winemaker, Susana has had the opportunity to work internationally. She was the first Argentine woman to be hired as a consultant at wineries around the world, including in Spain, Chile, Italy, Brazil, Australia, and California. This experience has allowed her to stay ahead of market trends and evolving wine styles.
Susana's professional career reached its peak in 1999 with the launch of her company, Susana Balbo Wines. She fulfilled her lifelong dream of owning her own winery and creating her own wines.