5 days - 4 nights

Day 1 - Mendoza / Tupungato

(D) On arrival at Mendoza airport you will be met & transferred to Tupungato in the Uco Valley area, where a large number of sprawling vineyard estates are located. The Uco Valley is a wonderful area for grape & high quality wine production due to its location at the foot of the Andes mountain range with unequalled landscapes & its altitude surpassing 1,000m.

Among the grapevines you will find Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon & Malbec, each with different characteristics to those in other areas of the province. Tonight your accommodation is at the small Posada Salentein, surrounded by mountains, vineyards, streams & heavily wooded hillsides. An array of outdoor activities are available here: trekking, fishing, cross-country exploration in 4WD vehicles amongst theses on offer.
Then quite apart from visiting its world-class cellar, Bodega Salentein, by being located at 1,200m, cultivates Pinot Noir at Finca San Pablo – an estate which used to belong to Jesuit priests. The building is unique, with a small independent cellar in each wing. Dinner at the posada with guided wine tasting is included.

Day 2 - Tupungato

(B,L,D) After Breakfast we will visit Bodegas Lurton & Fapes in the Uco Valley. Bodega Lurton, is owned by Jacques & Francois Lurton, who blend & produce generic wines with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Grey Pinot grapes. Bodega Fapes, is one of the oldest cellars in the area, noted as being outstanding in the art of combining traditional techniques with new trends.

The enthusiasm of these two brother owners will allow you to discover many of their wine secrets in a friendly atmosphere. Lunch will be served at Salentein & this afternoon is deemed as being at leisure for you to enjoy many different activities offered here. Dinner tonight is at the posada with guided wine tasting included.

Day 3 - Tupungato/ Mendoza

(B) After breakfast we depart from Tupungato, heading to the highly productive oasis of the Central-west area. We will visit Bodegas Norton & Bodegas Lagarde. Bodegas Norton, one of Argentina’s oldest & most respected vineyards was founded in 1895 by an English engineer. This winery has the most modern of technology, without deminishing its historical foundation. Its properties are located in Lujan de Cuyo & Junín counties amongst which you can find Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot, Semillon, Chenin, Chardonnay, Riesling & Barbera d’Asti grape varieties.

Casa Vinicola Viniterra, located in Luján de Cuyo, is a boutique cellar which produces wines of the Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc & Chenin types from their white grapes & Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese & Bonarda from their red grape varieties. Bodegas Lagarde is well known for its prestigious wines, distributed in boutique limited lots from a centennial wine cellar. Its fincas (productive ranches) are located in Luján de Cuyo County. The main varieties produced here are red Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot & white Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin & Semillon. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

This afternoon we will visit 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 regional native soils. Late afternoon, return to Mendoza & your overnight accommodation tonight at the Hyatt Hotel.

Day 4 - Mendoza

(B,L,D) Your day starts with breakfast at the hotel. Mendoza city dates back to the XVI century & is located in the rain shadow of the mighty Andes Mountains. A city tour will help you get to know its history & culture. While Mendoza was founded by the Spanish colonists more than four centuries ago today , it is modern & considered the cleanest city in Argentina. Understanding local culture will definitively mean a better understanding of its wine ‘soul’. The city tour will take you through its tree-lined avenues & streets bordered by ‘acequias’ (irrigation ditches). Afterwards, visit Bodega La Rural, founded in 1895 by an Italian immigrant (Felipe Rutini).

Amongst the most cultivated grapes here you will find white Riesling, Chardonnay, Chenin & Gewiirztraminer (the only wine cellar that cultivates this kind of grape) & in the red grapes varieties, Merlot, Malbec & Cabernet Sauvignon. The Bodega has a wine museum, one of the most important in the world, with an exhibition of elements of the original wine cellar. Lunch will be served at a local area restaurant. This afternoon, visit Bodegas Trapiche & Bodegas Lopez.

Bodega Trapiche, is one of the biggest & most well known in Argentina, having been founded in 1883. It was the first exporter of premium Argentine wines & the vineyards are located in Luján de Cuyo, Maipil, Santa Rosa & San Martin counties, all located over 700m above sea level. Their main variety of grapes cultivated here are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Tempranilla & Bonarda.

Bodega Lopez is one of the more traditional wineries in Argentina. It uses past generation equipment without altering the almost handcrafted traditional processes which are a hallmark of this winery. With vines located in Maipil & Luján de Cuyo counties the varieties they focus on are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Semillon, Chardonnay & Chenin. Late this afternoon, return to your hotel. This evening, you will head out to enjoy a superb dinner at Francis Mallmann’s ‘1884’ Restaurant.

Day 5 - Depart Mendoza

(B) After breakfast check out of the Hyatt Hotel & you will be transferred to Mendoza airport for your onward journey.

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