Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
289
When to Visit
Mendoza is alive four seasons of the y ear. In winter (June-Aug), you can com-
bine very quiet wine t ouring with g reat skiing at Las L eñas (see “Hitting the
Slopes in Las Leñas,” later in this chapter). In spring (Sept-Nov), the whole area
is in bloom. Days are warm, and the air is remarkably aromatic. The hot summer
months from December through February require a good sun hat and ac cess
to a pool . M y personal fa vorite time t o visit is the fall (M ar-May), when the
vendimia wine har vesting is wrapping up , the alamo and poplar tr ees glo w
golden, and the nights are fresh.
Tapaus Distillery This distillery provides a w elcome break from grapes. The focus
here is on liquor—more precisely, liqueur: brandy, grappa (okay, they use some grapes),
and fruit liqueurs. The architecture and design may hav e your head spinning—if it isn't
already.
F. Villanueva 3826. & 261/499-0514. w ww.tapaus.com.ar. Free tour with standar d tasting. M on-Sat
noon-6pm; Sun by appointment only.
Tempus Alba This is another family establishment dedicated to maintaining a noble,
hands-on approach to winemaking. Tours are in-depth and detailed. Come in the morn-
ing for more personalized attention; afternoons are often swamped with visitors.
Carril P. Moreno 572, C oquimbito. & 261/481-3501. www.tempusalba.com. Free tour; tastings $2.50
(£1.70) per glass, or 3 glasses for $4.50 (£3.05). Mon-Fri 10am-5pm.
Other Local Farms
In M aipú, numer ous farms allo w visitors to explor e the pr oduction of oliv e oil and
indulge in sensual tastings and appr eciation courses. Quinta Generación, Ozamis Sur
2718 ( & 261/499-0472 ), is a boutique olive oil factory that runs guided tours and tast-
ings. Nearby, Isabel Agrovivero, Ceferino 544, Cruz de Piedra ( & 261/410-6325 ), also
produces figs, walnuts, and grapes. Their tours ar e very good, and the shop is stocked
with goodies. An old oliv e oil factor y, Laur , Videla Aranda 2850, C ruz del P iedra
( & 261/499-0052 ), puts on a sho w for gourmands—including a pr esentation on the
health benefits of olive oil.
10
VALLE DE UCO
90km (56 miles) S of Mendoza
Everything seems to stand still in the remote, high-altitude Valle de Uco, which may not
last for long as wor d spr eads about the incr edible wines coming fr om her e (and the
incredible characters that hav e been drawn her e to make them). The scenery is divine,
and the to wns ar e sleepy and r ural, with an O ld West feel. The curr ent “it spot ” for
groundbreaking wines, La Consulta, has attracted luminaries such as M ichel Rolland,
Paul Hobbs, and the L urton brothers. Altitude v aries from 800m (262 ft.) in Tunuyán
to 1,200m (3,936 ft.) in Tupungato, some of the highest-altitude wineries in the world.
Winters her e can be v ery cold, and summers ar e warm with cooler nights, which
helps produce superior color and tannins. This area makes an ex cellent day trip fr om
Mendoza.
 
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