VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note:
Tour inclusions can change depending upon
seasonality and weather conditions.
•7 Nights Deluxe Accommodations
•Round-Trip Airport Transfers
•Chef’s Tasting Dinner & Wine Pairing
•Cooking in the Vineyard Class
•Olive Oil and Wine Tasting
•Benegas Winery Tour and Tasting
•Estancias BBQ Cooking Class
•Valle de Uco Winery & Cooking Class
•Andeluna Cellars Tour and Tasting
•Three Agrelo Tour with Wine Lunch
•Mendoza City Tour
•Verolio Lunch & Olive Oil Tasting
•Wine Country Cooking Class
•Vistalba Winery Tour & Tasting
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs,
and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should
speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is
appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
Year-round based on your preferred dates. Best time to travel is Late March through May and October through December 15th. Black out dates include Christmas and New Year's.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
(click item for details)
Day 1
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Round-Trip Transfers from Mendoza Airport
You will be met upon arrival at the Mendoza Airport. A private transfer to your hotel will allow you to relax and begin to drink in the beautiful scenery and absorb the magic of the Andes. Upon arrival at the your hotel you will enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and have the opportunity to explore your surroundings. After lunch on your last day in Mendoza, you will be driven back to the Mendoza Airport for your return flight home.
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Arrival Chef’s Tasting Dinner with Wine Pairings
You will delight in your first culinary experience in this wonderland of food and wine. A specially designed menu by one of the region’s top chef’s will feature the best of Wine Country cuisine where dishes steeped in traditions of Argentina favor a new age flair while showcasing the finest and freshest ingredients from the area. Your dinner reservation has been made for you at 8:00pm. The chef will talk with you to design a menu that blends art and science to create dishes to stimulate and satisfy your discerning palate. Wines thoughtfully chosen from the vast collection of prestigious vineyards in the Mendoza region will provide you an unforgettable experience. Superb service, delightful cuisine and elegant ambience make your dinner an extraordinary experience.
Day 2
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Cooking in the Vineyards with Olive Oil & Wine Tasting
Learn the secrets of Argentine cuisine at the hand of one of its most renowned chefs. Enjoy an unforgettable experience lead by the staff of Terruño Restaurant and culinary school. The restaurant is housed in a renovated 19th century family vintner's home, surrounded by the original vineyard. You will prepare your own empanadas, learn about the different cuts of world famous Argentine beef and even try your hand at managing a traditional mud oven. You will learn three typical dishes and after the hands-on class will enjoy your own creations paired with Tapiz Wines. You will enjoy an olive oil and wine tasting and tour through the private art collection and organic vegetable garden.
Day 3
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Barbecue Cooking in Estancias (High Altitude Ranches)
Experience the solitude that only such of extension of land can offer, and be the exclusive guest of this magical and unique property. Depart the hotel for a scenic one-and half hour drive through the Andean foothills, at the foot of Cordon del Plata. A high altitude mountain ranch, the Estancia offers a glimpse into the life of the Andean countryside. Enjoy a traditional Argentine barbecue accompanied by top end wines from among the wineries visited throughout the wine tour of Mendoza. Horse-back riding and trekking through the mountains follows and the day finishes with the artisanal sweets and delicacies of the Estancia served in the late afternoon. You may even spot a condor in majestic flight around the mountains.
Day 4
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Winery Tour and Tasting, Benegas Winery
This traditional winery belonged to the family of Gladys Alurralde Norton, mother of current owner Federico J. Benegas Lynch. Federico was actually born in the properties main house, where he still lives to this day. Throughout his childhood he worked every step of the way, helping his father in the winemaking process. Benegas is focused on quality and celebrating its Finca Libertad terroir. They believe in the judicious use of oak, maintaining it as a background component in the wine. Tannins should be balanced and the finish long. Their total production is only 30,000 cases. Michelle Roland says, “Benegas wines have a strong personality which is the result of a very unique terroir for its quality and the combination of French and Argentine traditions. The wines are a reflection of Frederico’s passion and his constant search for excellence.”
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Verolio Restaurant Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting
This restaurant specializes in Olive oil and the menus are design to match 3 different varietals. Before lunch, your host will guide you through the qualities of olive oil and taste three varietals: Manzanilla, a delicate and light olive oil; Nevadillo, a fruity medium body olive oil and Arauco, a spicy medium body long finish intense olive oil.
Day 5
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Vistalba Winery
Carlos Pulenta was the former president and CEO of Salentein before leaving to start his own high-end operation in the Lujan de Cuyo. The recently constructed cellar is an elegant and tranquil facility constructed largely of marble, slate, inert concrete and dark woods. Pulenta owns 53 hectares of red grapes around the winery, 80% of which is Malbec planted in 1948 (the rest is newly planted Malbec, bonarda, merlot and cabernet sauvignon). The varietal wines labeled Tomero are made in stainless steel tanks and are all about fruit; they are sourced form Pulenta’s father’s 342 hectares of vines in the Uco Valley. The more serious Vistaba wines, from vineyards around the winery, are done in concrete and stainless steel. You will taste, and enjoy the fine offerings from this renowned winery. All wines are hand harvested.
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Valle de Uco: Winery Tour and Cooking Class
Nominated by Wine & Spirit as Winery of the Year in 2003, Bodegas Salentein offers visitors a unique combination of top quality wines and a breathtaking view of the Andes. Located at 4,000’ above sea level and literally at the foot of the Andes, this winery has received several international awards in recognition of its excellent wines. Visit the Kilken Art Gallery where you will find an outstanding collection of local art. Today's class is led by the Posada Salentei´s chef, Rodrigo. The chef will show us how to make some of the most typical dishes from Argentina. After the class enjoy your own culinary creations accompanied by the wines from the winery.
Day 6
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Agrelo Winery Tours, Gourmet Lunch & Wine Pairings
The Agrelo is the prime winery area, if there is a Napa Valley in Mendoza, this is it. Bodega Catena Zapata - Widely recognized as the pioneering winery which has shown the international wine community the true quality potential of the Mendoza terroir. Finca Decero Winery - Where each vine is nurtured by hand and the winemaking is without compromise. The creators have developed an approach that is sensitive and sustainable. This transcends into an excellent restaurant cuisine where you will enjoy a seasonal menu of local ingredients and international styles perfectly matched with Decero Wines. Caelum Winery - With a small production of 40,000 cases, this winery is now expanding their capacity to 90,000 for 2012.The beautiful and cozy winery is surrounded not only by vineyards, but also by pistachio trees. So, of course all tastings are accompanied by pistachios.
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Mendoza City Tour
You will experience an intimate tour of the city of Mendoza, from the picturesque settings of the city's many plazas, to the manicured grounds of Parque San Martin, to the extensive shopping experiences. You will be feeling at home in Mendoza's beautiful, tree-lined streets in no time! You will discover the history of Mendoza through the four main Plazas (Chile, San Martin, España and Italia). The highlight is the Parque San Martin, considered to be the most beautiful Public Park in all Latin America. Designed by Carlos Thays, the park was built in 1896. Today the park has an extension of 389 hectares, and contains valuable sculptures and monuments, an artificial lake, several pedestrian walks, and over 5000 roses. A walk through is a must, as you will discover the perfectly manicured trees and bushes that are the pride of the city.
Day 7
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Andeluna Cellars, Winery Tour & Tasting
Located on 200 acres of mountain vineyards is the state-of-the-art winery of Andeluna. Set among the foothills of the Andes, Andeluna is a remarkably beautiful place. Visitors enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding areas. There are four separate tasting areas to enjoy, and a walk on the grounds is the perfect way to experience the rich history and tradition of the winery while enjoying Argentina's finest wines. You will enjoy a private guided tasting of: Andeluna Merlot - 90 pts. The Wine Advocate, Aug. 08 Andeluna Cabernet - 90 pts. The Wine Advocate, Aug. 08 Andeluna Malbec - 88 pts. The Wine Advocate, Aug. 08
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Wine Country Classics Cooking Class
You will experience a hands-on cooking class featuring wonderful regional dishes. You will enjoy expanding your repertoire of Argentine wine country classics. The finest of ingredients together with interesting preparations will allow you to delight your friends and family when you return home. The history and evolution of the food plays an important role in the flavors and spices of today. You will enjoy the creativity and uniqueness of your labors as you sit and relax for dinner done by your own hands. Your chef’s will guide you through the preparation and presentation of each menu item so that the photographs of your dishes will serve a visual memory in your own kitchen back at home.
Day 8
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Check-Out and Departure | Transfers to Airport
Time flies when you’re having so much fun, but alas…it is time to check out and depart this delicious, “Edible Destination.” Remember, short excursion packages are often available in nearby cities or historic destinations. Should you desire an extension, please let your culinary travel specialist know prior to check-in. Your host will provide transfers to the airport in accordance with your travel plans. May your future travels come from sweet dreams, and create tasty memories!
Gifts and Gift Cards
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