Argentina - Gardens and Grapes Tour – 2013

October 11 MENDOZA / UCO VALLEY Uco Valley Wine Experience and Lunch

The Uco Valley is compared by many to the Napa Valley 25 years ago. At a higher elevation than Luján de Cuyo, excellent high-altitude wines are produced from vineyards up to 1400m (4600 feet) high, at the foot of the Andes.

Today we will visit Estancia Ancon, a wonderful place full of plantations. This estancia has lovely gardens which were created by Charles Thays. The property is a refined environment that recalls European castles, formal parks and gardens and is unique for its centennial trees. Visit of the boutique winery & wine tasting. The only "Estancia" that produces and bottles its own wines.

We then continue to María Lorine Bombal Winery created in 1858, is situated at the southeast from Mendoza’s capital. This region has been historically chosen for the production and the development of the wine industry, and that’s why it’s known as the “wine’s cradle”. Following the tradition and the family calling, María Lorine Bombal decided to build her winery in this place, exactly in Lunlunta.

Ending our day at Bodegas Salentein winery, one of the pioneers in the Uco Valley, with an architecturally impressive winery designed in the unique style of Mendoza’s winery architect Bórmida Yanzón. Salentein lies in the province of Mendoza, the most important winegrowing region of Argentina, with some 150.000 vineyard hectares (370.500 acres) and more than 900 wineries. Salentein is a leader in cultivating global awareness of the emerging premium wineries of Argentina. A new vision of quality —with plantings of classical varietals, preservation of old vines, application of European artistry, and advanced technology— is yielding world-class wines.

Hotel FUENTE MAYOR HOTEL & RESORT was supposed to be for two nights but I guess a huge wedding happened so we stayed one night then my group was split into two hotels for the last night…truly amazing ones too.