Mendoza, Argentina

Brien and I toured the Mendoza wine region in October 2022 and came away determined to return. The wines are impressive but perhaps even more impactful is the passion of the winemakers, their focus on sustainable viniculture and their determination to take their place on the world wine stage alongside the most important wineries in the world.

 

Argentina is the fifth largest wine producer in the world and the largest wine growing region in Latin America. The country’s acclaim has been red wine, predominately Malbec, but the other red wines, as well as the whites and bubbles are almost more impressive. Wine production started in Argentina as early as 1850 and this long history will be highlighted at many of our winery visits. 

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Our meeting point is The Park Hyatt in Mendoza on Saturday March 8 2025. Ciudad de Mendoza is a great place to explore and is one of the eleven great wine capitals of the world. Guests may wish to arrive a few days in advance to make their own discoveries.

Perhaps take a city tour or relax by the pool and soak in the ambience. In the evening, check out the restaurant 1884, owned by Argentina’s most famous Chef, Francis Mallmann.  The annual national grape harvest festival, Festival de la Vendimia, is scheduled to take place from February 23 to March 9, just prior to our arrival. Information is available at https://vendimia.mendoza.gov.ar/.

 

We depart from the hotel on Saturday morning and head to Luigi Bosca Winery to enjoy their new vineyard experience. This is one of the most interesting outdoor tastings we have ever participated in, a well-executed vineyard tour that is a great introduction to Argentinian viniculture. Lunch will be an Asada, an excellent example of the famous Argentine outdoor mixed grill experience.

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After lunch we will check into the beautiful Finca Adalgisa, a highly rated family-owned Michelin hotel located in the charming town of Chacras de Coria. The Chef at Finca Adalgisa offers a class on making empanadas so we will have the opportunity to pick up a new cooking skill. There are many shops, bars and restaurants close to Finca Adalgisa that will be fun to explore. This small boutique hotel is one option for your stay.

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We’ll start our days slowly affording allowance for a lie-in, walk, or a (self-guided) pool side relaxation session. We will head to a different winery each day for lunch; commence with a tour and tasting and then indulge in a leisurely meal paired perfectly to the estate’s wines. A second winery visit will be scheduled for late afternoon. Most evenings will find us back at the Finca where we will enjoy dinner at one of the fabulous nearby restaurants. There will be an option for a biking day in the countryside with spectacular views of the Andes Mountains and, of course, visits to wineries along route. 

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Not all winery visits have been confirmed but stops are planned at some of the most prestigious in the region, including Catena Zapata - Argentina’s oldest family winery still run by family members. In 2023 it was awarded the title of World’s Best Vineyard. The winery design is based on Mayan Architecture, its’ pyramid-like design is stunning against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

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Clos de la Siete is the brainchild of the world-renowned winemaker Michel Rolland. This 850-acre estate in the Uco Valley, at the base of the Andes, is world famous. Mr. Rolland, along with three other Bordeaux families, have created an amazing enclave of wineries with the collective expression of their passion being the highly regarded wine, Clos de la Siete. The vines are grown at 1200 meters (3,800 feet), in the foothills of the Andes, which is unusually high by European standards but Mr. Rolland has been proven very wise in his site selection. Over the passing years since the vineyard was planted in the late 90’s, it has been proven many times over that the grapes off of these high-altitude sites can make superb wines. 

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There are two wineries in the Uco Valley that have Canadian ownership, Bodegas Salentein and Zorzal Wines. Both wineries have received prestigious awards for their wines and for the quality of the visitor experience offered to their guests. We will plan to visit both of these estates.

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One of Argentina’s most respected winemakers is Roberta de la Mota and the winery he created with Anabelle Sielecki, Mendal Wines, will also be a stop on the tour.  Although a young winery, the wines benefit from exceptionally old vines sourced from different vineyard sites. 
 
Argentina’s first and most famous female winemaker is Susana Bilbo.  Her winery, Finca Dominio Agrelo, is located in Luján de Cuyo near Mendoza.  It is a beautiful estate offering an exceptional visitor experience including “The Art of Blending” where you step into the winemakers’ shoes and become a wine-maker for a day. We will take part in this fun and informative activity. The winery was named Winery of the Year in Descorchados 2023 Argentina Wine Guide.

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This is a 7-day, 6-night program with all transportation, accommodation, wine tastings, tours, cooking class, bike rentals and meal costs covered once the tour begins the morning of March 8, 2025. We highly recommend that you plan to spend a few days in the city of Mendoza prior to the start of the tour. This “Great Wine Capital” has much to offer. Although the nights at The Park Hyatt will not be included in the tour price, I am happy to book these rooms at a preferred rate for those who wish to stay here. Brien and I will be checking in on March 6, 2025.

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Pricing details will be available by mid-April. Please let Peggy know if you are still interested in receiving follow up emails regarding this trip at peggy@vinfluence.net.