What Dervinsa does

Dervinsa (legal name Derivados Vínicos S.A.) is an Argentine industrial biorefinery founded in 1937/1938 and headquartered in Palmira, Mendoza. The company specializes in upcycling residual wine biomass — primarily grape marc (orujo) and lees (borras) — into 100% natural-origin bioproducts. It operates a circular production model: wineries deliver residues, Dervinsa processes 200,000 metric tons annually, and the resulting 8,000 TN of certified bioproducts plus 20,000 TN of organic amendments are sold into food, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetics, agricultural, and wine industry customers. Spent biomass (orujo agotado) is combusted in on-site boilers to meet 95% of thermal energy demand, and treated wastewater irrigates a 110-hectare eucalyptus forest that doubles as a CO2 sink.

The company's product portfolio spans three commercial lines: DERVINSA core bioproducts (tartaric acid, metatartaric acid, cream of tartar, vinic alcohols, wine and marc spirits, crude and refined grapeseed oil, natural gypsum, compost, substrate, and natural liquid fertilizer); VINOLAB oenological supplies (Saccharomyces yeast strains, inactive dry yeast nutrients, yeast hull nutrients, citric acid, and StaVin toasted oak products distributed exclusively in Argentina since 2017); and Fruto de la Viña agribusiness products. Since August 2019, the company has implemented blockchain-based traceability for tartaric acid, a Latin American first in the wine sector.

Commercially, Dervinsa operates as a B2B enterprise supplier with a dominant 85% share of Argentina's wine waste collection (acopio) market, serving 680 wineries and 315 domestic industrial clients, plus export relationships to 16+ countries across South America, North America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. Revenue is generated through one-time bulk product sales (Flexitanks, isotanks, 15/25 kg bags) and professional services including environmental waste management and IRAM-certified final disposal verification, provided without charge to wineries delivering waste. The company is privately held under CEO Stéphane Mitrani and holds ISO 9001, 14001, 22000, 45001, HACCP 323, Kosher, and IRAM certifications.

Name

Dervinsa

Legal name

Derivados Vínicos S.A.

Website

https://dervinsa.com.ar

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dervinsa is an Argentine biorefinery founded in 1937 that upcycles grape marc and lees from 680 wineries into tartaric acid, grapeseed oil, alcohols, and organic fertilizers, exporting to 16+ countries and holding 85% of Argentina's wine waste collection market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Industry Bioproducts and Biorefinery

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB), On-Farm Circularity & Waste Valorization (Residue Management, Biochar, Manure/Organic Waste Use) (AFAGAMAI)

Keywords

• Wine biomass upcycling
• Tartaric acid production
• Biorefinery services
• Winery waste management
• Organic soil amendments

Headquarters

HQ city

San Martín

HQ country

Argentina

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bioproduct Sales: Sale of bioproducts derived from wine waste including tartaric acid, metatartaric acid, cream of tartar, grape seed oil (raw and refined), vine alcohols, wine spirits, grappa, compost, substrate, organic fertilizer, gypsum, and natural liquid fertilizer. Products sold in bulk (Flexitank, cisterns, isotanks) and bags (15kg, 25kg).
2. Environmental Waste Management Services: Complete management of solid and liquid waste from wineries including waste removal, lees and must filtering, and analysis services. Wineries receive IRAM certification of final disposal of processed products.
3. IRAM Certification Service: Issuance of IRAM Certificate of Verification for Reception of Materials of Oenological Origin, provided at no cost to wineries that deliver their wine waste to Dervinsa.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dervinsa (Derivados Vínicos S.A.) operates a biorefinery that transforms wine industry waste (marc and lees) from Argentine wineries into high-value bioproducts including tartaric acid, metatartaric acid, cream of tartar, vine alcohol, grape seed oil, wine spirits, grappa, compost, substrate, and organic fertilizers. The company also provides environmental waste management services to wineries and distributes oenological supplies (yeasts, yeast nutrients, StaVin oak products) through its VINOLAB brand.

Product overview

Dervinsa (Derivados Vínicos S.A.) is a biological industry and biorefinery that transforms wine production waste (marc, lees, and other vinicultural residues) into bio-products. The company operates three main product lines: (1) DERVINSA bioproducts including tartaric acid, metatartaric acid, cream of tartar, vinic alcohol, wine and grape marc spirits, grapeseed oils (crude and refined), natural gypsum, compost, substrate, and natural liquid fertilizer; (2) VINOLAB oenological supplies including specialized yeast strains (Saccharomyces bayanus, S. cerevisiae), inactive dry yeast nutrients, yeast hull nutrients, and StaVin oak products; and (3) FRUTO DE LA VIÑA agricultural products including compost fertilizer, substrate, refined and crude grapeseed oils, grapeseeds, and natural liquid fertilizer. The company also provides environmental services including waste management, filtration of wine lees, and organic residue and effluent management, with IRAM-certified verification of waste disposal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VINOLAB: A line of oenological supplies including yeast, yeast hull nutrients, inactive dry yeast, oak staves (Stavin), citric acid, and fermentation activators. Added to portfolio in 2017.
• Fruto de la Viña

Products and services

• Tartaric Acid (Ácido Tartárico) Natural tartaric acid produced from wine marc and lees, used as an acidifier in wines, carbonated drinks, jams, and jellies, and as a buffering agent in pharmaceuticals.
• Cream of Tartar (Cremor Tártaro) Potassium bitartrate in its purest form (purity degree >99.75%), used to stabilize wine tartarily before bottling by crystallizing unstable potassium bitartrate.
• Metatartaric Acid (Ácido Metatartárico) Polyester of tartaric acid with anticrystallizing properties (esterification index >38%), used as a stabilizing agent for tartaric precipitations in finished wines.
• Vinic Alcohol (Alcohol Vínico) Alcohol obtained from distillation of wines, marc, and lees, available as neutral or standard grades. Used as raw material for spirits, fortified wines, and alcohol enrichment of bottled wines.
• Wine Spirit (Aguardiente de Vino) High-quality spirit distilled from carefully selected wines based on organoleptic and chemical characteristics. Used as raw material for brandies, spirits, and fortified wines.
• Grape Marc Spirit (Aguardiente de Orujo) Spirit produced by fermentation and distillation of grape skins, seeds, and stems remaining after pressing. Used as raw material for marc brandies or spirits.
• Natural Gypsum (Yeso Natural) Natural mineral (calcium sulfate dihydrate CaSO4.2H2O) obtained during tartaric acid production. Used for sodium-degraded soil recovery and as a sulfur source for deficient soils.
• Refined Grapeseed Oil (Aceite de Pepita de Uva Refinado) Oil extracted from grape seeds with antioxidant properties (rich in polyphenols, vitamin E, phytosterols, carotenoids), high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6). Used in food preparation (high smoke point 216°C) and cosmetics.
• Crude Grapeseed Oil (Aceite de Pepita de Uva Crudo) Crude oil extracted from grape seeds, recognized for antioxidant properties due to polyphenols, vitamin E, and fatty acid content.
• Substrate (Sustrato) Product from aerobic composting of viticultural waste under controlled conditions. Used as a growing medium for potted plants, providing support, aeration, water retention, and long-term nutrient availability.
• Compost Organic Fertilizer (Compost Abono Orgánico) Organic amendment from aerobic composting of viticultural waste, notable for high organic matter and total nitrogen content. Improves soil structure, reduces erosion, and provides gradual nutrient release for plant development.
• Natural Liquid Fertilizer (Fertilizante Líquido Natural) 100% grape by-product fertilizer obtained after alcohol distillation, filtered and concentrated for standardized nutrient and organic matter content. Provides balanced N, P, K, and Mg for crop growth.
• Grapeseeds (Pepitas de Uva) Seeds obtained from fresh marc, immediately dried to preserve polyphenolic components. High commercial value for oil production, rich in oleic (15-20%) and linoleic (69-78%) fatty acids. Also used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and as biofuel.
• Saccharomyces Bayanus Yeast (Levadura Saccharomyces Bayanus) Fermentation yeast with Killer phenotype, ensuring clean and complete fermentation. Alcohol tolerance up to 16% vol., fermentation temperature range 10-40°C. Recommended for all vinification processes including restart of stuck fermentations.
• Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Yeast (Levadura Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) Yeast ideal for fruity and balanced wines, selected from France's Loire Valley. Cryophilic behavior for safe vinifications at 8-10°C, enhancing aromatic profile. Suitable for Pinot Noir, Torrontes, Malvasia, Sauvignon Blanc, and other varieties.
• Inactive Dry Yeast Nutrients (Nutrientes Levadura Seca Inactiva) Inactive yeast with strong reducing power due to high glutathione content, preventing oxidation reactions and organoleptic aging. Combines antioxidant effects with nutritional effects (organic nitrogen).
• Yeast Hull Nutrients (Nutrientes Corteza de Levadura) Yeast hulls acting as absorbents for toxins (pesticides, short-chain fatty acids) that inhibit yeast activity. Prevents fermentation slowdown and potential stuck fermentations in difficult conditions.
• StaVin Oak Products (Maderas de Roble Stavin) World-leading toasted oak products for wine from StaVin, including French and American oak staves, barrel heads, cubes, rectangles, and chips. Commercialized through VINOLAB since 2017, helping wineries reduce production costs while maintaining subtle oak flavor nuances.
• Environmental Waste Management Service (Servicio Medioambiental) Complete management of solid and liquid waste from winery vinification processes. Includes waste removal, lees and must filtering, analysis, and issuance of IRAM certification of final disposal for participating wineries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of thermal energy from biomass, replacing fossil fuels
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• StaVincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017StaVin is the world's leading supplier of toasted oak products for wine. Since 2017, all StaVin products (French and American oak staves, cubes, rectangles, chips, etc.) are commercialized by Derivados Vínicos through their VINOLAB business unit. VINOLAB provides technical support and StaVin's expertise to Argentine wineries.
• INTA - EEA MendozacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical assistance agreement with Argentina's National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), EEA Mendoza station. Joint research on compost and substrate applications in agriculture, including dosage recommendations for vineyards and plant cultivation. Dervinsa provides products while INTA provides agricultural expertise and research validation.
• IRAM (Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for issuing IRAM Certificates of Verification for Reception of Materials of Oenological Origin. IRAM issues certificates to wineries that deliver their wine waste to Dervinsa, providing official verification of proper waste disposal. This certification is provided at no cost to wineries.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Brown-Forman: US-based global spirits company with growing premium and wine-derived spirit exposure; relevant comparable given Dervinsa's focus on premium wine spirits and brand-grade alcohol for export markets.
• Pernod Ricard: Global wine and spirits major whose portfolio of wine brands generates large volumes of marc and lees. Pernod is both a potential vertical integrator of Dervinsa's circular model and a downstream customer for wine-derived alcohol and tartaric acid.
• Rémy Cointreau: Premium spirits group focused on cognac and other grape-derived spirits; competes for the same high-margin specialty spirit positioning that Dervinsa's wine spirit and grappa SKUs target in international markets.
• Gruppo Campari: Italian-headquartered global spirits group with relevant adjacency in wine-derived aperitifs and bitters; comparable to Dervinsa's beverage alcohol business and a potential acquirer of specialty wine-derivative producers.
• Castel Group: French private wine and beverages conglomerate with global distribution and significant French winery exposure; competes for the same European wine-derivative buyers that Dervinsa serves through exports.
• Treasury Wine Estates: Global wine producer whose Australian and global vineyard operations produce comparable volumes of marc and lees; represents both a potential acquirer of biorefinery capabilities and an indirect competitor in sourcing wine-derived specialty ingredients.
• Diageo: Global spirits leader with extensive wine-adjacent and brandy operations; competes for share of wine-derived neutral alcohol and grape-based spirits, and has the balance sheet to acquire circular-economy capabilities similar to Dervinsa's.

Direct peers

• Distillerie Bonollo: Italian distillery producing wine-derived spirits (grappa, grape marc spirits) from wine residues. Highly comparable to Dervinsa's aguardiente de orujo and aguardiente de vino lines, with similar raw material base and B2B industrial customer profile.
• Caviro: Italy's largest wine industry cooperative and the most direct comparable peer: through its Caviro Extra division, it upcycles Italian wine waste into tartaric acid, grape seed oil, alcohol, and agricultural amendments — the same product mix and circular-economy model as Dervinsa, but at larger European scale.

Regional players

• Becle (José Cuervo): Mexico-based spirits major whose agave waste valorization program mirrors Dervinsa's wine waste model in a different region and feedstock; useful structural comparable for circular-economy economics in spirits by-products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DerivadosV
• Facebookfacebook.com/Derivados-Vinicos-SA-125328508144897
• Instagraminstagram.com/derivadosvinicossa

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dervinsa