Just south of La Rioja is San Juan with the second largest region after Mendoza. In the past, San Juan was primarily known for its low-quality wines. However, trials of growing grapes in higher terrain with cooler subregions, especially the 1400m Pedernal valley, have proven that high quality wines are feasible in San Juan. The most successful grape varieties here are Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda (local grape variety from Argentina, different from Italian Bonarda), Malbec and Chardonnay, Viognier also increasingly developed. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are still rated as the best here, but Syrah is doing pretty well too.