A Food & Wine escapade to Mendoza, cradle of Argentine wines. Lodge at exclusive, countryside retreats and dine at Argentina's most renowned Chefs' private venues and state-of- the-art wineries.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Mendoza
Morning arrival in Mendoza, the cradle of Argentine wine-making at the foothills of the Andes. Upon arrival, we drive to Alejandro Vigil's Casa El Enemigo winery. Chief winemaker at Catena Zapata Winery since 2002 and one of the names that defines the current production of wines in Argentina, Vigil created his own winery in 2015, which was inspired by the Divine Comedy.
Afternoon check-in at Entre Cielos - Luxury Wine Hotel & Spa and relax at the fabulous wellness center or relax until dinner time.
Dinner at “1884”, where Chef Francis Mallmann blends the finest culinary traditions of France and South America. The first non-European to win the Grand Prix de la Science de la Cuisine, Mr. Mallmann describes his restaurant as “a tribute to the wine and the regional cuisine”.
Highlights:
Day 2: Mendoza
After breakfast, we visit Catena Zapata Wines. Certainly one of the truly iconic names of the region, Nicolas Catena's state-of-the-art winery has contributed to establishing Mendoza as one of the world's newest wine-meccas and is acknowledged as the pioneer of quality wine-making in Argentina. We will taste their superb production and learn about the immigrants from Spain and Italy who first brought the wine-making traditions into this region.
Then, it is on to Dominio del Plata, Susana Balbo Winery. Once there, a chef instructor will guide you through the preparation of some delicious regional recipes such as empanadas, barbecue meats and flan! We relax over lunch and a glass of wine with the snowed peaks of the Andes as a backdrop. The rest of the afternoon is yours to leisure away at the lodge.
In the evening we head to Chef Mariano Gallego's Brindillas restaurant. A previous Chef of Sant Pau restaurant (3 Michelin stars, Barcelona & Tokio) Mariano returned to Argentina to open his restaurant, a small venue that has rapidly become a turning point in Mendoza's culinary experiences, with a unique blend of fusion cuisine and local elements.
Highlights:
Day 3: Mendoza
This morning our sensorial adventure continues at one of the pinnacles among Argentine wine makers: Mendel Wines, the small estate conducted by Roberto de La Mota, known for the exceptional quality of its Malbecs and blends. We will get acquainted with its production process, both at the vineyards and the cellars.
Later on we head for downtown Mendoza for an overview of the city, its main historic landmarks, monuments and elegant parks. Lunch at Azafran, originally an Almacen of delicatessen, cheeses, cold cuts and preserves, the venue has evolved into one of the most sophisticated restaurants in town. Decorated like an old neighborhood warehouse, with products ranging from pâtés to rare beers displayed on wall shelves.
Afternoon transfer to Mendoza's airport to board your scheduled flight to your next destination.
Highlights:
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