Mendoza, a city of 100,000 or so, is the capital of Mendoza, the province which is the location of most of Argentina’s wine industry. It takes a while to get there from Bariloche, there are no direct flights. We flew back to Buenos Aires and, after a few hours in the airport, got on another big plane to Mendoza. Distances are daunting here – like connecting between cities in the Western US – and driving is not a great option.
The Next Napa
Mendoza is not quite Napa Valley, but it is on its way. We stayed at a very modern Park Hyatt across from a major square in central Mendoza. The place seemed busy, with good restaurants and a bit of business activity centered on the wine industry. For some of our group the city tour lead to shopping and some high end momentos of the trip. Some of us opted for a long nap.
Our Favorite Wineries
Benegas Lynch is one of the first wineries in the region – making Cabernet Franc from 80-year old vines. Their adobe building is historically significant as the owners are credited with bringing the first French grapes to Argentina. The original irrigation system was in full force when we visited, giving some perspective on the 80 year history.
Starting Point for Argentina's Wine Industry
The Original Irrigation System
Bodega Catena Zapata also lays claim to pioneering work in developing world class Argentinean wines, particularly for pioneering high altitude vineyards. The original Catena was a faculty member at UC Berkeley for a number of years and no stranger to the Napa Valley. He came home to build a distinctive Mayan style showroom and winemaking facility that is one of the best attractions in Mendoza. And it doesn’t hurt that their best wines get ratings in the mid 90’s from Wine Spectator.
Bodega Catena Zapata
Fall Colors in the Catena Zapata Vineyard
Achaval-Ferrer
This was, by our tasting, the best wine we found in Mendoza. Wine Spectator agreed, giving ratings in the high 90’s to some of the Malbecs that we got to try.
It is about the wine. The tasting room and vineyards are off the beaten path and unspectacular, but well known to serious wine buffs and collectors. We got the insider’s perspective from a vacationing Californian who had spent a few years in Argentina starting one of the mobile phone systems in the country – and developing an expertise in the best the region has to offer. Between he and the expert staff, this afternoon was memorable.
Tags: Argentina, South America, Wineries
Argentina is just demolishing their adversaries in the world cup. Argentina is in all likelihood going to take it all, I sympathize with whomever they’re playing next!
i have enjoyed reading thank for sharing your story Greeting.
Great blog you have here – Our housing market is very slow – Hopefully things will begin picking back up
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