In The Search Of The Lost Balance. Public Policies During A Viticulture Crisis In Mendoza, Argentina (1913-1917)

Abstract

The wine industry in Mendoza had a crisis between 1913 and 1917. This article analyzes the successive strategies that the State used to improve the industry. In general, two strategies were applied between 1914 and 1915. The first one was to reduce production. In order to obtain this objective, grape and wine were purchased and destroyed. The second strategy was to reach an agreement among economic actors setting prices of vines and wine on wagon. As these strategies failed, the State decided to form a monopoly company in which all producers and winemakers must be necessarily incorporated. La Sociedad Vitivinícola de Mendoza was founded in January 1917 and on the following year it had lost much of its support. Governor José Néstor Lencinas intervened and dissolved the company. The political, social and legal conflict lasted several years.

Keywords: Vitiviniculture, Mendoza, Crisis, 1913-1917