San Carlos Oregano Poised to Become the First in the World with a Geographical Indication

By Estudio Chaloupka

The Rural Society of Valle de Uco, in collaboration with provincial authorities and local producers, is working to secure a Geographical Indication (GI) for oregano cultivated in the San Carlos region. If successful, it would become the first oregano in the world to achieve this prestigious distinction.

San Carlos is a department within the Valle de Uco, a fertile and picturesque region in western Mendoza Province, Argentina, located at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Known for its rich agricultural landscape, Valle de Uco is renowned for producing exceptional wines and a wide range of food products.

The oregano from San Carlos is distinguished by its intense aroma and high concentration of essential oils, a result of the region’s unique sun-drying process and notable temperature fluctuations. These factors, combined with the area’s distinctive terroir, contribute to a product that is not only rich in flavor but also remarkably free from impurities such as stems, dust, or broken leaves. The oregano is primarily composed of the plant’s inflorescences, the most aromatic and flavorful part.

The push for a Geographical Indication for Orégano de San Carlos aims to protect and promote this exceptional product. Recently, the National Advisory Commission on Geographical Indications and Denominations of Origin recommended the recognition, registration, and protection of the Orégano de San Carlos GI under Law 25,380.

"The oregano from this region is distinguished by its high concentration of essential oils, which results from the sun-drying process and the region’s unique temperature fluctuations. Known for its superior quality—especially its intense aroma and vibrant color—it contains minimal amounts of stems, dust, or broken leaves, primarily consisting of the highly aromatic inflorescences," the Commission stated.

The boundaries of the Orégano de San Carlos region are defined by the Andes Mountains to the west, 100 kilometers of desert (Santa Rosa and La Paz, San Luis) to the east, the Tunuyán River to the north, and another 100 kilometers of desert (San Carlos and San Rafael) to the south.

According to the Rural Society of Valle de Uco, which is part of the Confederation of Rural Associations of Mendoza, the GI seal will apply exclusively to dehydrated oregano used for food purposes in its pure form. To be eligible for certification, the oregano must meet specific quality standards.

It is estimated that approximately 15 tons of Orégano de San Carlos will be certified with the GI seal in the first year, with an additional 15 tons expected to be certified in the following two years.