Mendoza and its Wines (AR 064)
Mendoza - Tupungato

Departures: Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays
Guide: Spanish and bilingual (English - German - Italian - French)
Meals: according to itinerary. Air Fare: not included.

Mendoza, “the land of the sun and the good wine”. This is the perfect tour to be introduced to the charm of its local wines and their spirit. Visiting a few out of the great variety of wineries located around the city and all over this beautiful province will allow you to gain greater knowledge of the wine activity as you will be shown the wine production techniques and some of the best preserved secrets of wine tasting.

Day 1 - Mendoza / Tupungato
Reception at the airport and transfer to Tupungato, in the Uco Valley area, where a large stretch of vineyards belonging to the maim Argentine and foreign wineries have been placed. The Uco Valley is a privileged area for grape and high quality wines production due to its location on the foot of the Andes Mountain Range, with a unique landscape and altitudes superior to 1,000 metres. Among the grapevines you can find Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec and Semillón, with different characteristics of those in other areas of the province. Accommodation in the small Posada Salentein, a place surrounded by mountains, vineyards, streams and woods. Different activities can be practiced here: trekking, fishing and 4WD rides, apart from visiting its cellar, Bodega Salentein, which is located 1,200 m high, that cultivates the variety of Pinot Noir at Finca San Pablo, which used to belong to Jesuit priests. It´s building is unique, as it has a cross-shape with a small independent cellar in each wing. Dinner at the posada with guided wine tasting included.

Day 2 - Tupungato
Breakfast. Visit to Bodegas Lurton and Fapes in the Uco Valley. Bodega Lurton, belongs to the Jacques and Francois Lurton brothers, who elaborate “varietal” and generic wines with the following grapes: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Grey Pinot. Bodega Fapes, is one of the oldests cellars in the area, and is outstanding in the art of combining the traditional with the new elaboration trends. The enthusiasm of its owners will allow you to discover many wine secrets in a friendly atmosphere. Lunch at Salentein and afternoon at leisure to enjoy the different activities offered in the place. Dinner at the posada with guided wine tasting tour included.

Day 3 - Tupungato/ Mendoza
Breakfast. Departure to the productive oasis of the Central-west area. Visit to Bodegas Norton and Lagarde. Bodegas Norton, founded in 1895 by an English engineer, is located in Luján de Cuyo department. This winery has the most modern technology, without denying its history. Its properties are located in Luján de Cuyo and Junín departments and among the cultivated grapevines you can find Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot, Semillón, Chenin, Chardonnay, Riesling and Barbera d’Asti.
Casa Vinícola Viniterra, located in Luján de Cuyo, is a boutique cellar which produces wines of the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin among the white grapes; Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese and Bonarda among the red varieties.
Bodegas Lagarde is well known for its prestigious wines, elaborated in limited lots in a centennial wine cellar, regurlarly participating in international contests. Its fincas (productive ranches) are located in Luján de Cuyo county. The main varieties produced are the red Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, and the white Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin and Semillón. Lunch at a restaurant in the area. In the afternoon visit to Bodega Domaine Vistalba. The French owners of Bodegas Domaine Vistalba have managed to combine the “savoir faire” of its origins with the grapes produced by the native soils. This cellar elaborates its products in the way of a French Chateaux. Return to Mendoza. Accommodation at the Hyatt Hotel. Dinner at leisure.

Day 4 - Mendoza
Breakfast. The city, which dates back to the XVI Century, is located in one of the province's oasis. A tour of the city will make it possible to get to know the history and culture of this city, founded by the Spanish colonists more than four centuries ago. Understanding the local culture will definitively mean a better understanding of the wine soul. Go through its tree-lined avenues and its streets bordered by 'acequias' (irrigation ditches) and visit the city's most important attractions. Visit Bodega La Rural, one of the first local wineries, founded in 1895 by an Italian immigrant (Felipe Rutini). Among the most cultivated grapes you can find the white Riesling, Chardonnay, Chenin and Gewürztraminer (the only wine cellar that cultivate this kind of grapes) and the red Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
It has a wine museum, one of the most important in the world, with an exhibition of elements of the original wine cellar. Lunch at a restaurant in the area. In the afternoon, visit to Bodegas Trapiche and Bodegas López. Bodega Trapiche, one of the biggest in Argentina, was founded in 1883. It 's the first winery exporter of premium Argentine wines. Its vineyards are located in Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, Santa Rosa and San Martín departments, over 700 meters high. The most cultivated grapes are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Tempranilla and Bonarda. Bodega López is one of the most traditional wineries in Argentina. It uses a last generation equipment without altering the almost handicraft traditional process which is a hallmark of the winery. It has properties located in Maipú and Luján de Cuyo departments. Among the varieties cultivated you can find: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Semillón, Chardonnay and Chenin. Return to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a superb dinner at Francis Mallmann's '1884' Restaurant, the worldwide renowned chef.

Day 5 - Mendoza
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Buenos Aires.

NOTE: The chosen cellars may be modified without previous notice.