Tuesday, January 15, 2019 – Mendoza in a day!
Up early and off for breakfast at the lounge. It was a fairly long drive to our first stop, but the views were incredible. We had to stop here and there for pictures.
All those clouds that we had seen yesterday had put down a fresh coat of snow on this side of the Andes. It was gorgeous!
Aconcagua stood out from the other Andes peaks. I like viewing snow from this perspective - we were warm and the sky was sunny down here in the valley.
We arrived at Viña Andeluna, a few minutes early for our 10:00 appointment, so we had time for a look around. Beautiful old building now made into a tasting room and restaurant with open kitchen.
We were told that we had to wait for others to join us, but then Marcello appeared and just like that we had a private tour. We started with a glass of Torrontes outside, with a view of the vineyards and the mountains.
Not sure how we got so lucky as to have a private tour. The large group that you can see in this picture was complaining about our good fortune.
Sauvignon Blanc followed with a view of the fermentation tanks. Then some rosé for a bonus before we moved downstairs into the show cellar. Marcello gave us a blind red wine tasting which we guessed was Cab Sauv, but it turned out to be Merlot.
Then outside for several more wines – and more nice views.
Wine tasting so far is very civilized and relaxing here!
We had Cab Sauv, more Merlot, and then a few red blends. They also made a 100% Cab Franc.
All were excellent, and it was hard to decide what to buy. But we did, and eventually left for the drive to lunch. With the big pours, it was a good thing that we had a driver!
Along the way we had a stop at Cristo Rey. There are many of these statues around South America.
A large statue of Christ with a nice view of Mendoza Valley.
We arrived at Ruca Malen for our lunch. The outdoor setting was picture-perfect.
We had a table outside with a view to die for. And the wine kept coming.
The food was so good. We started with sparkling wine and it just continued for 7 courses from there.
Everything was delicious and well-prepared. The main course came with two red wines, as if we needed more!
We barely had time after lunch but we did buy a bottle of their high-end Malbec. Time to rush it so we aren't late to our next stop!
The last stop of the day was Terrazas de Los Andes. We’d heard about their wines so we were excited to go there and taste. Lots of good wines to choose from but interestingly they were affiliated with Moet and Chandon. So we saw that they had Dom Perignon there.
We got a bottle of their wine and a bottle of Dom Rosé to go with it. A bit of a splurge but why not?
Now back to the hotel for a bit to try to sober up and get ready for dinner. The amount of wine that has been poured today was staggering.
Jeanette had organized dinner for the two of us at 8:00 that night, but we insisted that she and Ignacio should join us.
We ate in the outdoor courtyard of Restaurante 1884 and had a great dinner.
Jeanette and Ignacio were able to join us and we had a really nice time. Huge steaks and nice side dishes. And a little more wine, of course!
 |
| Andes and Vineyards, outside Mendoza |
Up early and off for breakfast at the lounge. It was a fairly long drive to our first stop, but the views were incredible. We had to stop here and there for pictures.
All those clouds that we had seen yesterday had put down a fresh coat of snow on this side of the Andes. It was gorgeous!
Aconcagua stood out from the other Andes peaks. I like viewing snow from this perspective - we were warm and the sky was sunny down here in the valley.
 |
| Viña Andeluna, Mendoza |
We arrived at Viña Andeluna, a few minutes early for our 10:00 appointment, so we had time for a look around. Beautiful old building now made into a tasting room and restaurant with open kitchen.We were told that we had to wait for others to join us, but then Marcello appeared and just like that we had a private tour. We started with a glass of Torrontes outside, with a view of the vineyards and the mountains.
Not sure how we got so lucky as to have a private tour. The large group that you can see in this picture was complaining about our good fortune.
 |
| Tasting - Round One. Viña Andeluna, Mendoza |
Sauvignon Blanc followed with a view of the fermentation tanks. Then some rosé for a bonus before we moved downstairs into the show cellar. Marcello gave us a blind red wine tasting which we guessed was Cab Sauv, but it turned out to be Merlot.
Then outside for several more wines – and more nice views.
Wine tasting so far is very civilized and relaxing here!
 |
| Tasting - Round Two. Viña Andeluna, Mendoza |
We had Cab Sauv, more Merlot, and then a few red blends. They also made a 100% Cab Franc.
All were excellent, and it was hard to decide what to buy. But we did, and eventually left for the drive to lunch. With the big pours, it was a good thing that we had a driver!
 |
| Cristo Rey del Valle de Tupungato |
Along the way we had a stop at Cristo Rey. There are many of these statues around South America.
A large statue of Christ with a nice view of Mendoza Valley.
We arrived at Ruca Malen for our lunch. The outdoor setting was picture-perfect.
We had a table outside with a view to die for. And the wine kept coming.
 |
| Bread and Ham, Ruca Malen, Mendoza |
The food was so good. We started with sparkling wine and it just continued for 7 courses from there.
 |
| Wine and Mountains. What a setting! |
Everything was delicious and well-prepared. The main course came with two red wines, as if we needed more!
 |
| Filet and Carrot, Ruca Malen, Mendoza |
We barely had time after lunch but we did buy a bottle of their high-end Malbec. Time to rush it so we aren't late to our next stop!
 |
| Terrazas de Los Andes |
The last stop of the day was Terrazas de Los Andes. We’d heard about their wines so we were excited to go there and taste. Lots of good wines to choose from but interestingly they were affiliated with Moet and Chandon. So we saw that they had Dom Perignon there.
We got a bottle of their wine and a bottle of Dom Rosé to go with it. A bit of a splurge but why not?
Now back to the hotel for a bit to try to sober up and get ready for dinner. The amount of wine that has been poured today was staggering.
Jeanette had organized dinner for the two of us at 8:00 that night, but we insisted that she and Ignacio should join us.
We ate in the outdoor courtyard of Restaurante 1884 and had a great dinner.
Jeanette and Ignacio were able to join us and we had a really nice time. Huge steaks and nice side dishes. And a little more wine, of course!
In retrospect, I am glad that we didn't try for more wineries today. The tasting pours were very generous, and it was nice to take your time at each place, to fully enjoy the wines and the ambience. More relaxing, and more manageable, this way.
Now, to try for a little sleep. Tomorrow we have to fly to Iguazu. And of course, that involves a connection in Buenos Aires.
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