UCO VALLEY PREMIUM WINE TOUR

Day1: Arrival Mendoza

Morning arrival Mendoza.

Your host meets you at Mendoza Airport and transfers you to Antucura Wine Lodge in Uo Valley.   T his is a relatively new and very exciting valley, where great grapes, walnuts and various fruits grow in abundance. A totally different climate (sometimes difficult), varying elevations, even in the same vineyard and abundant sweet water provide winemakers with some of the best “terroir” they could wish for. Many of the oldest, together with the most modern and progressive wineries based up in the Lujan and Maipú regions have also planted vineyards in this valley simply because of the quality of its´ grapes.   Enroute we stop at winery PULENTA ESTATE , located on the fringe of the Uco valley, the “El Chiche” vineyard and winery was established by two of the Pulenta brothers, Eduardo (junior) and Hugo. Originally the building was a warehouse, but has been skillfully transformed, with additional wings added. Gravity is a main feature of this winery, which benefits from the experience and wisdom of Eduardo (senior), who manages the daily operations. Two of their 2002 bottlings were rated in the top seventy wines coming from the South American continent...a sure sign of greatness in the making.   We taste their Chardonay, La Flor, Pulenta Estate, Cabernet Franc.   We lunch at Antucura and in the afternoon visit the winery.

Hotel: Antucura

Meals: Lunch & dinner

Day 2: Wine Tour – Uco Valley

Your host will pick you up from your hotel at 10am to visit two wineries in this region.   Firstly we visit FINCA LA CELIA, a 117 year old winery recently purchased by one of Chile’s most important wineries, which invested $30 million to up-grade and re-model the facility. The winery is actually located in the village of Eugenio Bustos, so named alter the founder of the winery. Amongst the many fine wines they make there is also a Kosher production line...it’s a very different process. After a tour of the winery we will taste three reserve wines from their La Celia range.   From here we visit O.FOURNIER, a brand new Spanish owned winery, with sister operations in both Spain and Chile. From a distance this incredible building has been described as looking like a “NASA facility”, whilst inside it could be mistaken for a space-age movie set. A huge barrel cellar, unique conical fermentation tanks, a roof that looks like a launch pad, high point scoring Tempranillo blends and a true gravity operation make this a visit not to be missed. Here we will have a five course Spanish theme lunch, accompanied by their wines including the A Cruz.    Return to Antucura at 4pm.

Hotel: Antucura

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner

Day 3: Cookery class

Today we visit two more wineries in this region.   Our first stop is to ANDELUNA , a 100% American owned, modern winery belonging to Herman Ward Lay of snack food fame. As well as being an architecturally pleasing building, it has one of the most harmonious and congenial visitor centres in the country, with beautiful views over the vines, and the Andes as a back-drop. Great photograph opportunity here, particularly when the vines are “fully dressed”. After a tour of the winery we all “sit at the bar” (we show the ladies how to do it!) and taste four wines, including two from the reserve line. This fine winery just won the Decanter Magazine unique Grand Trophy award for their Cabernet Franc Limited Edition 2003, in addition to a Gold Medal for their superb Pasionado Grand Reserve 2003, a great and well deserved brace of wins.   From here we visit ALTUS - a boutique winery, upon our arrival, under the careful instruction of thir head chef you will prepare traditional regional dishes from their restaurant La Tupiña menu.  And later enjoy your masterpieces in the Sala de los Fuegos with the majestic back drop of the Andes mountains complimented by wine wines.

Hotel: Antucura

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner

Day 4: Departure day

Your host meets you at Antucura (time to be confirmed) and transfers you to Mendoza Airport fro your on-ward flight.   End of services

Hotel: N/A

Meals: Breakfast

Tour includes

Private transport from and to your hotel in first class chauffeur-driven vehicle.
Professional, bilingual wine host
Visits and tastings at five wineries
Meals as stated in itinerary
Bottled mineral water for the journey

Wine Country Welcome Pack

3 nights Antucura (junior suite)

Airport transfers.

Tour doesn´t include

Personal insurance