Thursday 3rd March: Arrival Mendoza
Arrival Mendoza Upon your arrival your English speaking host will meet you in the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Friday 4th March: Wine Tour – Uco Valley
Your host picks you up from you hotel at 8.30am for the ninety minute drive to this relatively new and very exciting wine, nut and fruit producing valley. The views, along with the architectural splendour of some of the wineries makes the extra travel time well worth the effort.
Our first visit will be to
SALENTEIN, a concept winery famous for producing Argentina´s first high-altitude Pinot Noir. Here you visit both the winery and their Nationally acclaimed “Kilka Art Gallery”, containing Permanent exhibitions of Argentine works of art from the second half of the Twentieth Century and an ever-changing exhibit of up-and-coming artists and their work.
Following this we visit
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.
N
ext we travel just three miles further on and arrive at
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.
Saturday 5th March: El Carousel & Central Act
Your host meets you in the hotel after breakfast to watch “ The Carousel” from the Patio at the Park Hyatt (optional), where a procession of very decorative horse drawn carriages, regional bands playing very traditional music, dancers and the famous “Gauchos” (cowboys) pass by within easy reach. The hotel serves copious quantities of delicious food and wine to prepare the soul for a day of colourful pageantry and gaiety.
Back to your hotel for a “siesta” before your host picks you up again at 8.30pm for the short ride up into the park and the 25,000 seat Greek style amphitheatre, where in reserved seats we will watch the spectacular “ Central Act”, an extravaganza of dance, music, folklore, awesome choreography, clever visual effects and the crowning of “The Queen”. The show is enhanced by laser lights bouncing off the surrounding hills, great special effects and fireworks in abundance. Your host will bring light snacks, wine and water. We will get you back to your hotel by 3.00am (approx), (don´t miss that afternoon siesta).
Sunday 6th March: Wine Tour – Lùjan de Cuyo
Your host picks you up from your hotel at 11.30am to visit two of our best wineries in the country. This region is considered to be the very home of Malbec, particularly the sub-regions of Agrelo and Perdriel, where the cost of land equates to the quality of the grapes. These two sub-regions epitomise “Terroir” made for the Malbec grape.
Our first visit is to
ALTA VISTA, a one hundred year old winery started by Spaniards, but now owned by a very progressive French family. They specialize in “Terroir Expressión” whereby they produce several single vineyard Malbecs, all scoring very high points. Here we will taste three wines, starting with their Torrontés and finishing with their Grand Reserve, both Gold Medal winning wines.
Winery
HACIENDA DEL PLATA continues to play an important role in Mendoza´s wine history. Founded in the 18th Century the then estancia was known as La Estancia San Ignacio de la Familia González. It has taken generations of hard and intensive labor on the barren desert land that surrounds the estancia to cultivate it and produce outstanding Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. The visit includes a fabulous tasting from barrels and bottles, and a very informative stroll through the vineyard. Before sitting down to enjoy an Asado (traditional Argentine BBQ) in the gardens.
Monday 7th March: Departure day
After checking out of your hotel your host will transfer you to the airport and see you through to the departure gate.
Tour includes
Transport from and to your hotel in first class chauffeur-driven vehicle
Professional, bilingual wine host.
Daily itinerary.
Visits and tastings at five wineries with special tastings
Meals as stated in the itinerary
Bottled mineral water for the journey
Wine Country Welcome Pack
Airport transfers
Wine Harvest Festival Events
THERE IS A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF 16 PEOPLE ON THIS TOUR.
