Argentina, Wine Tours, Mendoza

Recommended

Luján de Cuyo is the premier wine growing region in

Argentina

and where the most famous wineries are located. It is the first choice when choosing a wine area to tour in

Argentina

. It is situated 30 minutes south of Mendoza City, amidst the country's finest vineyards with the snowcapped Andes in the distance. Here we take you to four top wineries and in each one we'll try some great wines. We pick you up at 9am and your first visit will be Alta Vista, a traditional adobe-style winery where we try Torrontes, Bonarda, Malbec and do a special tasting of their Grand Reserva, one of Argentina’s best Malbecs. Next we visit Sottano, a new ultra modern winery where we get a personal tour of the vineyards and taste their rich, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec varietals. At midday we visit Ruca Malen. This modern French-Argentine winery does an incredible gourmet lunch where all their wines are paired with a particular dish. There you will taste their entire range, including their top wine Kinien. You conclude the day with a visit to Bodega Tapiz, where you will enjoy tastings from the barrels and tanks, and even a horse and carriage ride through the vineyard. Return to Mendoza City 5.30pm.

The Uco Valley has both altitude and attitude and is certainly one of the most interesting and stunning areas to do a wine tour in Mendoza. Situated in the foothills of the Andes, this new frontier in Argentine winemaking is attracting winemakers from all over the world. State of the art technology and gold medal terroir means the wine from this area is the future of Argentine wine. Your first tour is Bodega Andeluna, an American venture owned by Ward Lay, of Pepsico fame. This stunning winery with breathtaking views of the Andes boasts one of the most beautiful and elegant terraces overlooking the vineyard. Here you will taste their excellent Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Second up is Benvenuto de la Serna, a boutique Argentine-owned winery producing single estate wines. Their excellent Sangiovese betrays their Italian roots and they also produce a delicious Viognier. Here we enjoy a tasting in their garden under a canopy of trees surrounded by vineyards. We conclude the day with a visit to O.Fournier, a feast for the eyes and taste buds with innovative architecture and award winning wines. You will taste the A and B Crux wines whilst enjoying a lunch is their modernist restaurant and visitor center.
Return to Mendoza at approx 6.30pm.

Pick up is at 9.30am and we go southeast to Southern Maipú, Mendoza’s most traditional winegrowing area with many rustic style wineries and olive groves. The north of the region is very much urbanised and frankly not pretty, but the southern part is an undiscovered region of excellent boutique wineries and small gourmet restaurants. Your first visit will be to Bodega Carinae, a small, French venture with lots of charm. Owners Philippe and Brigitte are often there to show visitors around and with Michel Rolland as consultant their wines have improved immensely since they started five years ago. Here we taste their complete range of 11 wines. Next we visit Tempus Alba, a small, modern, family-owned winery where we conduct a tasting on the roof terrace. You conclude the day with a spectacular lunch in Domaine Dumont. This 100-year old Victorian lodge used to belong to the champagne family Mumm. Here, talented chef and sommelier Jasmine Montgomery will prepare a gourmet five-course lunch using local produce, matching each wine to each course. After a leisurely cocktail on the lawn, lunch will be served on the terrace overlooking the lush grounds.
Return to Mendoza at approx 5pm.