Back to Top
NEWS UPDATES!
Vendimia Unplugged
Harvest time has always been a time for celebration. In ancient times people held their breath and began counting
the bushels - would it be a year of feast or famine?
Would the larders be full enough to get them through winter with full bellies and light hearts?
And in years of plenty, when the gods of fertility smiled, the people rejoiced by eating, drinking, and dancing
themselves into a state it took all winter to recover from.
Mendoza's no different. While there's still some suspense about devastating late-summer hailstorms wiping out
the grapes, the Mendoza city authorities feel confident enough to plan the blow-out to end all blow-outs well in
advance of any bushnel-counting. That blow-out is Vendimia and it's the biggest event on Mendoza's annual
calendar.
"Vendimia" means "harvest time". festivities run for about three months, from mid-January to mid-April. While
it's ostensibly a grape harvest celebration, when it comes to enjoying the sponsor's product, there's very little
to be found. There's a lonely tasting tent erected on the end of the peatonal at avenida San Martin, but otherwise
the official vendimia has a decidedly fry feel. Forunately, Mendoza's better restaurants, bars and hotels come to the party
and offer punters plenty of opportunity to fall off a passing parade wagon if they so desire.
The festivities do however include all sorts of activities, grape-related and otherwise, such as free tango shows
and movies in the park, festivals of plums and tomatoes, horse racing, a vintage car rally and a very colorful
alternative Gay Vendimia. But the one they come from near and far to witness is the Acto Central, where lithe young
maidens compete to be crowned National Harvest Queen.
Remodelling update (July 31): On the drawing board : An underground wine cellar, by the pool
and a 2 horse stable by the car port..
June 2008: We are
remodelling!! It is winter now, down south, so I took the oportunity to
give the villa a face lift and other touch ups here and there. Also added four HUGE beautiful palm trees..
I am sure it is going to be first class when we are done!!
We are taking reservations as of November 1, 2008.
PEAK PREVIEW: (July 31 2008)
New palm tree in place:
Masters of Food & Wine, South America 2008 .. yet again. Will be held in the Hyatt hotel and kicks
off with The opening cocktail party on March 14th, 2008.
Familia Zuccardi Winery
A professional, far sighted operation, Zuccardi were one of the first wineries to embrace
wine tourism and the facility is one of the most visited wineries in Mendoza. That doesn't
mean to say it has succumbed to providing an impersonal service however. The guides are
always enthusiastic, knowledgable and eager to please. Tastings include samplings from the
tank and bottle as well as demonstrations of the winery4s extensive foray into micro-vinification
(experimenting with the most unusual grapes). The attractive restaurant amidst the vines
is famous for its asado-style lunches and ample supply of wine. Also on site is a well-
stocked gift store and art gallery.
Ruta Provincial 33, Km 7.5, Maipu. Tel (0261) 441 0000.
My top restaurants list:
(p.s. I can reserve for you anyone of these
restaurants or wineries, when you e-mail me days and times you want them,
all from the comfort of your home and in advance of your visit here
with us.)
1) Francis Mallman's
1884 at Escorihuela winery. Phone: 4242698. OPEN ONLY FOR DINNER.
2)
Terrunos in Club Tapiz. Phone : 5244 708/709
3) La Bourgogne at Carlos Pulenta winery Phone : 498 9400
4) Cavas Lodge Phone: 410 6927/28
5) Francesco Barbera Restaurante Italiano - Chile 1268 - Mendoza - Argentina
Tel +54 261 4253912 - email: administracion@francescoristorante.com.ar
6) KARMA. The most exotic restaurant in Mendoza, Karma is a Tibetan oasis of dark mahogany, sequined cushions
and bamboo roofing. The owner Karma Apo Tsang was an actor on the Brad Pitt epic Seven Years in Tibet (filmed in Uspallata)
when he met a Mendocina woman and decided to put his wok in Chacras (familiar story). Tibetan food might conjure
images of yak and curry and though there's plenty of such spice on the menu, there's not a beast of burden in sight.
Starters include momo: delicious steamed dumplings with chopped meat and spring onions. If you're looking for something
more Argentine, try the incredible Hing Kong ribs that come in a giant portion the size of an ex-British colony.
Make sure you try the very reasonable Karma Malbec from the wine list. Every Wednesday there's a Men's club
that gather for wine, food and fernet. Pure Dalai Lama. Italia 6076, Chacras de Coria. Tel 496 1731, open Tue - Sat
from 9pm.
7) MI TIERRA. At last a restaurant that does flights and I don't mean of the airborne kind.
Mi Tierra is a wine-themed restaurant 2 blocks from Plaza Independencia. Their wine list offers a selection of
flights (3 wines by the glass) in a welcome opportunity to taste as much as possible without breaking the bank.
The building itself is a beautifully restored townhouse of tall ceilings and shuttered windows. Each room
is devoted to a particular winery, be it Norton, Catena Zapata, Chandon or Terrazas de Los Andes. The food
is excellent and service impeccable. Average price for a meal without wine per person : 30 pesos. San Lorenzo
y Mitre. Tel 425 0035.
8) PRAGA. Praga specialises in seafood and is undoubtedly the best retaurant in town if it is mariscos you are after.
Dishes such as shrimp chop suey, sea urchin or Spanish octupus are done with flair. The restaurant itelf is very charming
and romantic, set in front of a pretty plazoleta in the upscale 5th section (Quinta seccion). Inside there is an
atmospheric courtyard surrounded by a wooden timberframe. The delightful, Botero-style paintings are done by the
owner's wife and available to buy. The wine list is spectacular and the bottles stored in an airconditioned
side room. Try the Mendel Malbec 2004, a small boutique winery in Lujan de Cuyo. Average price for a meal without
wine is 40 Pesos. Leonides Aguirre 413 (on the corner of Avellaneda and Olascoaga) Tel 4259585, open Mon to Sat
from 8pm.
9) LA SAL. If you like ambience with a laid back atmosphere, try La Sal. The chefs at this classy restaurant
change the menu every three months so they can always use the freshest local ingredients of the season with
a mediterranean touch, composed by the chef himself. The wine list is extensive, maybe the best in Mendoza.
From Bodega Zuccardi's Santa Julia wine to specialties like Bramare Marchiori Malbec (rated 93 points by the Wine
Spectator), there is something for every palate and wallet. Live background music Wed-Sat, at pleasant
volume: bandoneon violin or flamenco guitar. Average cost without wine 40-45 pesos per person.
Belgrano 1069, Tel 420 4322, open Mon-Sat from 9Pm. Reservation recommended Fri+Sat.
Newly launched magazine on print and on-line:
wine tasting, care of "The Wine Republic",
Mondays 7pm only. To reserve call 4255613, cel 155413892 or e-mail: ask@wine-republic.com Limited seating (12 people only). Cost $120 pesos per
person, and you try the very best, most expensive wines (500 pesos bottles of wine). Place: in a wine shop
called Marcelino, on Zapata and Benegas streets, 1 block off Belgrano strret (Railway tracks).
August 12, 2007.
Our very own organic egg factory thanks to Thelma and Luise! Check them out here along with our new and improved raised farm.
Currently growing is : Arugula, spinach, green onions. Will be sending revised shots of the farm, showing the growing organic produce.
December 10, 2006.
the New York Times, named
Mendoza as a top travel destination in 2007. In
Mendoza, Napa Valley Meets the Wild West New York Times
- United States Why go to the Napa Valley when you can
fly to Mendoza, in western Argentina, drink more exotic
and affordable wines, and go horseback riding across
the magnificent Andes Mountains with sexy Latin meat
eaters? read
article here.
Things to do here in Mendoza:

Monteviejo:
The latest vineyard on the poplar-lined
Route 40 South, at the foot of the Andes, is
Monteviejo. This sleek complex surrounded by
2,300 acres of vines is backed by prominent
Bordeaux producers and began hosting tastings
late last year (monteviejo.com). Distance: 110
Km (1 hour and 45 minutes approximately). Near
Tunuyan town. For reservations write to:
Nadia Bastias,
Clos de los Siete S.A,
Vista Flores Tunuyan - Mendoza.
Tel / Fax: 0261- 4055606
Cel: 02622 15403692
E - mail: nbastias@clos7.com.ar
turismo@clos7.com.ar
Catena:
Distance:35Km from Quinta Anabtawi.Visits:
Monday-Friday 9.30am/1100am/2.00pm/3.30pm. Guided tours English
and Spanish. Architecturaly, the building
resembles a Mayan pyramid. Its interior
concentric spaces descend from the crystal
cupula to the cellars. For reservations and general
inquiries call Karen Belinsky: e-mail turismo@catenazapata.com,
Cell Phone:(+549261)415 5340, Nextel: 54* 214* 6484. Winery:4900215
Rucamalen:
Ruta 7, 1059. Lujan De Cujo. Phone: 410
6214. Mobile: 154541236. Nextel 145*1963.
Guided tours M-F from 10am to 5pm. Sat 10am to
12.30pm. E-Mail.
mespinola@bodegarucamalen.com.
Senetiner:
Distance:2 Km from Quinta Anabtawi.
Address:Guardia Vieja S/N. Lujan de Cuyo.
Phone:4980315/498
Mail:amantesdelvino@nietosenetiner.com.ar .
Visits:Daily at 10am,11am,12.30pm,4pm.
Salentein:
The Salentein estate consists of 2000 hectares (4942 acres) and
are at an elevation amongst the highest in the world. They are irrigated
with pure mountain run-off, which creates lower pH in the grape, resulting
in higher acidity, richer color in the wine and greater ageability.
Plantations range in age from four to 32 years. For reservations:
reservas@killkasalentein.com Phone: 02622 429500 Extension 3200/3262/3263.
Achaval Ferrer Winery
Address Calle Cobos and Rio Mendoza. Perdriel, Lujan De Cuyo.
Phone: 0261 155 53 55 65. Winery : 2601. Perdriel 488 1131. E-mail: winery@achaval-ferrer.com. Contact Name : Patricia Lambert. Web Site: www.achaval-ferrer.com.
- Our wine page
Events:
- Masters of Food and Wine, South America:
- In 2006, Mendoza
hosted the first annual Masters of Food and Wine,
South America. Historically held in Carmel,
California for the last twenty years, it is an
internationally recognized event that brings
together legends from the culinary and wine
worlds. Spectacular events and seminars showcase
unique vertical wine tastings and demonstrations
by world renknowed chefs. This year marks the
first time ever that the event was held outside
of Carmel, much less the US.
- Mendoza Expats Club meets the
last Friday of every month, for an exquisite
lunch at the Hyatt hotel, in the Syrah room. Only
by invitation. Write to Deborah-Monteith at
secretary@mendozaexpats.org. Lunch is $50 pesos
for members and $65 for guests, wines
included.
-
The wine tours:
-
Tasting Mendoza. For wine tours
and much more. Ask me to reserve your tour well
before you visit here.
Sample Itenerary : 9.15 a.m your
host will take you into the nearby area of
Lujan de Cuyo to visit some wineries of one of
the most important wine region in Mendoza. Our
first stop will be at 9.30 a.m. into Cavas de
Weinert Winery Tour and tasting of their wines.
From Weinert we will go to Alta Vista Winery at
11.00 a.m. Wine tour and tasting. After Alta
Vista, your host will take you to Ruca Malen
winery at 12.30 p.m Tour and SPECIAL tasting of
their wines followed by lunch in this beautiful
restaurant inside the winery with a perfect
view of the Andes Mountains and next to their
vineyards. At 3.30 p.m we will visit our fourth
winery, Catena Zapata Winery Wine tour and
tasting. Around 5.30 p.m, arrive into your
hotel.
Approximate cost US$ 110 per person.
Includes: Transfers in private car, 4 wine
tours and tasting, lunch (alcoholic and sodas
drinks are included), full time bilingual
Host.
-
Various:
- Tango: Teatro Las Sillas do a really good
milonga (Tango) every Friday and classes Monday
to thursday. It`s on San Juan 1436, Tel 4297742.
As for salsa, call 156551333. The lady teaches
salsa and organises a salsa convention every
November. Also there
are Tango classes held at Alianza Francesa
4204224/154854593 on Chile 1754 road
Another one with Cesar Moyano on Wednesdays at
8pm and Fridays 7pm, 4214025/155456132.
- Horse back riding. There is a horse stable
walking distance from the Quinta. You can take it
freely around the area, which is a very quiet
neighborhood - not a lot of traffic.
- Rafting down the Mendoza river. Find out ways
to do rafting. Cost
normally is around 100 pesos per person.
Transport is not included.
- Visits to many beautiful estancias, mainly in
Uspallata (120Km from the Quinta) to spend the
day there, for horse back riding, trekking,
fishing, biking including lunch (asado, what
else!).
- Check out Elsuyuke site , for guided
activities such as Rafting, Sport fishing, horse
riding etc..
- Hop over to Chile and spend a great weekend
on the beach. You can take the car rental across
the border provided you have paid the car rent
company the fees for the paperwork. (Cost is
around 150 pesos). Also check out the restaurants in Mendoza. Eating out is a delight here in
Mendoza. Due to the boom in tourism here, many
fabulous restaurants have emerged which provide
great culinary delights.
- Cultural calendar in Mendoza (Art,
Cinema, Folklore, music, theatre and dance).
Spanish only.
- The Day Spa in the mountains, almost an
hour drive from Mendoza city.
- While in BA, please contact me if you need
nice apartments for rent in BA.
- Moving to Argentina website about
Argentina in general.. My favorite! Great Links!
Information you can find there is from how to buy
real estate in Argentina, to knowing about the
right plugs for your electric gadgets, culinary
guides, and so much more!
- Mendoza weather
- All about Argentina Forum
If you enjoyed these pages, please Stumble it!
It only takes a second to show some love.