SANTA JULIA LA MANTIS PET NAT 750ML

Santa Julia La Mantis Pet Nat is a natural sparkling wine (Pet Nat) from Mendoza, Argentina, produced by Bodega Santa Julia, part of the Zuccardi family wineries. It’s one of the winery’s flagship “natural wine” projects, made with minimal intervention and an emphasis on organic farming.

Type and Style

This is a Pétillant Naturel (Pet Nat), which is a sparkling wine made using the ancestral method. Fermentation starts in tank and finishes in the bottle, trapping natural carbon dioxide without added sugar or secondary fermentation techniques. The result is a lightly sparkling, often slightly cloudy wine with a more rustic, natural character.

Grape Variety and Origin

It is typically made from 100% Chardonnay grown in certified organic vineyards in Maipú, Mendoza. The high-altitude, dry climate helps preserve acidity and freshness in the grapes, which is essential for Pet Nat production.

Production Method

The wine is bottled before fermentation is fully complete, allowing the remaining natural sugars to ferment in-bottle. It is usually unfiltered and may contain natural sediment. No heavy chemical correction is used, which is part of the “natural wine” philosophy behind it.

Appearance

Golden yellow with a slight haze due to being unfiltered and containing lees sediment.

Aroma (Nose)

Fresh and expressive with notes of white fruits like pear and apple, citrus peel (especially orange and lemon zest), and subtle floral tones. There can also be light yeast or bread-like aromas from the bottle fermentation.

Flavor (Palate)

Dry to off-dry depending on vintage. Crisp acidity leads the palate, followed by flavors of green apple, citrus, and stone fruit. The texture is slightly creamy due to the fine natural bubbles and yeast contact. It has a rustic edge compared to traditional sparkling wines, with a more raw and energetic profile.

Finish

Clean, refreshing, and slightly tangy, with lingering citrus and a faint yeasty character.

Alcohol Content

Typically around 11.5%–13.5% ABV depending on vintage.

Overall Character

This is a lively, unpolished style of sparkling wine meant to feel fresh, natural, and expressive rather than refined or heavily engineered. It emphasizes texture, acidity, and drinkability over precision.

Serving Suggestions

Best served well-chilled but not ice-cold. It pairs well with light appetizers, seafood, fried foods, and fresh cheeses. It is also commonly enjoyed as an aperitif due to its bright acidity and refreshing bubbles.