We’ll be in Cafayate and Mendoza later this year and I’d like to take a day in each place to do some wine tourism.
Any suggestions on quality wineries to visit that would offer tastings would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance
for any help folks can give me.
We visited Mendel in Mendoza. They have a small intimate tasting room. We had a nice experience (semi-private), and picked up a few bottles. We had a guide for the day. I’m guessing that you need to call ahead.
Thanks, Dan–much appreciated!
I visited Achaval-Ferrer, Mendel, Cobos, Alta Vista, Ksana, and Catena Zapata when I was there. Ksana and Mendel were my favourites, followed by Achaval-Ferrer.
Ksana is a tiny garagiste winery run by a father and daughter. The only reason I got an appointment was because I know the Ontario importer. Very personal visit much like in the Langhe. Mendel was fantastic - a small group and Mariela was a wonderful host. Achaval-Ferrer did some barrel tasting for me in addition to the bottled wines, and I was able to purchase library wines at a relatively reasonable markup.
I was a bit frustrated at Catena Zapata as they only poured wines for the North American market and I had to ask to taste their domestic wines. Furthermore, they only poured three wines in their “Alta” range - none of the good stuff like the single vineyards. Oh, and enjoy the short film on the Catena family.
Alta Vista and Cobos were my least favourite due to the fees charged for the tastings. Alta Vista had a large group and I had to wait a very long time for the start of the tour due to tardiness of a few guests.
I had to pay $75USD for a decent tasting at Cobos and it didn’t even cover the very top end labels. It was also very awkward as I booked/paid for a more expensive tasting than the people that had an appointment at the same time. The person giving the tour tasting told the couple the situation, and that’s why I was getting different/more wines than them. They sat there as I tasted through the rest of the portfolio. It made me very uncomfortable, and I won’t return as a result.
Good tips–thank you!
Anyone else?
I went a few years ago. ‘Mendoza’ is quite a large region, so definitely check the distances on a map. Make sure you get reservations.
Visits that stood out for me were:
Domaine St. Diego, Maipu: the tour is focused on the vineyard rather than the winery, which was not the case for most operations I visited. Energetic guide (family member?) and a nice wine + olive oil tasting.
Ruca Malen, Maipu: wines were frankly average, but they put together a killer multi-course lunch menu.
Bodega La Azul, Uco Valley: their Reserva/Gran Reserva blends are big in that Argentinean way but have good balance. Tiny compared to the giant operations surrounding them. We did the tasting and barrel samples, but did not have lunch. Hard to source in the US. Beautiful views.
O. Fournier, Uco Valley: they built a spaceship. Architecture is eye-popping, and surprisingly pretty functional. You can really get a sense of the impact of foreign money at a place like this or Salentein.
It has been 6 years since I have been to Mendoza but I fortunately booked a trip next month. Make sure you bring dollars and get them changed at an arbolito and do not pay with your credit card. If you are staying in BA, ask the hotel concierge. I´m sure hotels in MDZ offer the same type of advice. As for wineries, I was told that Carmelo Patti and Weinert are good options for lower octane styles. When I went, I recall visiting Salentein, Tapiz, and Zuccardi. I had dinner at Azafran and 1884 in Mendoza proper along with lunch at Zuccardi.
This past February, I met a French couple Stephan Rampon and Elizabeth Maier one evening in Santiago. They run a B&B in Mendoza proper (http://www.lamaison-mendoza.com/), and can point you in the direction of some great places to taste.
In Cafayate, I visited Yacochuya and Colome and stayed at Patios de Cafayate. I think there are may new places to taste and stay, and it would be great to hear where you went. If you are making the drive from Salta to Cafayate, you are in for a nice treat. The views are spectacular.
Have a great trip!
Randall,
Check out this thread from a few years ago.