Viticultural tourism in Mendoza is growing ever more popular: wineries are adding new options for discerning visitors such as boutique hotels, high-end restaurants and unique natural, architectural and design experiences.
Below, we share a few recently opened establishments that are well worth a visit across the Uco Valley, the capital of Argentine wine.
Wine lodges in Mendoza: new proposals
Susana Balbo Winemaker´s House
This wine lodge in Mendoza is located in Chacras de Coria and owned by the Argentine oenologist and her daughter Ana Lovaglio. It’s one of the best examples of the category known as Luxury Boutique Hotels with unique suites, a spa and wellbeing service, an exclusive garden, a private cellar and numerous exclusive amenities.
The experience is rounded off by high-end gastronomy and unique activities such as aerial safaris tailored to suit guests’ needs (you can fly over the Andes, to the Perito Moreno Glacier or the salt flats of northern Argentina, for example).
The large house, which was once Susana and Ana’s home, has been entirely redesigned and houses different salons where 20 artworks from their private collection are exhibited (mostly by artists from Mendoza).
The hotel has a range of gastronomic spaces (the main hall, the gallery and fire pits by the large pool, in addition to room service): while its auteur restaurant, known as La Vida inHouse, offers a tasting menu. Of course, the cellar offers the best that Susana Balbo Wines have to offer, from which a special selection is made for the guests’ stay.
Info: SB Winemakers House Spa Suites
Casa Crux, Bodega Alfa Crux
Located in Pampa del Cepillo, Uco Valley, almost 5000 feet above sea level with incredible views of the mountains, this luxury mansion has a capacity for 10 guests in the middle of the vineyards and was designed by the renowned architect Eliana Bórmida.
This is one of the wine lodges in Mendoza that stand out for the fact that it can be rented out in its entirety and also offers a full range of high-end services such as a private chef, two different tours of the vineyards and winery, and tastings.
One of these is a group visit that includes a dynamic tasting of three wines from the CRUX line; the other a private barrel tasting of wines from 4 iconic historic lots.
The experience is further enhanced by cuisine from the Crux Cocina restaurant, an elegant petit mountain bistro run by the chef Edward Holloway where one can enjoy a 6-course tasting menu in which great care is taken over every ingredient. The result is an explosion of the traditional textures and flavors of Argentina, which go perfectly with the wines from the cellar.
You can also enjoy the winery’s products at the Alfa Wine Bar, which is open all day from 12:30 to 6PM, and also provides snacks and light lunches to accompany wines by the glass.
Other activities include rafting, horse rides, trekking in the Manzano Histórico, fly fishing and much more.
Info: Alfa Crux
Gaia Lodge, Bodega Domaine Bousquet
This pioneering organic winery in Gualtallary has expanded its portfolio with a 7-room boutique lodge that joins the restaurant and tourist activities such as special tastings, tours of the winery and vineyards, horse rides, picnics in the Andes and more.
GAIA Lodge is located in the middle of the vineyards, with an incredible view of the Cordón del Plata, near the bistro of the same name, where nature based activities are also on offer.
It has room for 18 beds in total – 5 doubles and 2 quadruples – each with a balcony with a view of the mountain or valley and vineyards. The establishment provides a personalized concierge service, transfers and a bar and restaurant.
The winery offers a range of gastronomic experiences at its excellent bistro and at night the hotel offers a chef’s table, the perfect opportunity to get to know the winery’s different lines of organic wines.
In keeping with the winery’s environmentally conscious philosophy, all of the hotel’s services are sustainable: for instance, the laundry reduces its water consumption as much as possible and doesn’t use plastic, and the bathroom amenities are paraben and TACC-free and fully biodegradable.
Info: Gaia Lodge
La Morada House, Uco Valley
In the heart of the Los Arbolitos vineyard – a 400-hectare vineyard in Los Chacayes, Uco Valley – we find this real estate and hospitality venture. It boasts one of the best views of the snow-capped Andes among the small wine lodges in Mendoza and is close by one of the region’s most important wineries.
La Morada has three categories of room (and a family house that can be fully rented out), all of which are equipped with fine linens, amenities and air conditioning, access to the garden, the pool and the shared barbecue (which needs to be booked in advance).
There’s also the restaurant run by the chef Edward Holloway, who worked for many years at different Michelin starred restaurants in Europe and has lived in Mendoza for a couple of years, and the sommelier Andrés Rosberg, who oversees the 100 square meter climate-controlled cellar.
Info: La Morada House Ruta 94 km 11. Calle La siesta s/n. Los Chacayes. Tel.: 2613306000 www.lamoradahouse.com
