Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
290
Getting There
The main towns of Tupungato and Tunuyán can be reached by local bus from the Men-
doza bus terminal. I f y ou ar e driving, take Hwy . 40 south fr om Mendoza city. Well-
placed signs point you to the major vineyards.
Getting Around
You'll need a car or a hired driver to tour this area. Most distances are too great for biking,
and local buses are few and far between.
Where to Stay & Dine
Numerous hotel plans are in the works for the Valle de Uco, including an inn at the O.
Fournier bodega (see belo w), and a hotel/spa in Vista Flores, run by the Vines of Men-
doza. There's also an inter esting new restaurant slated to be called
Tupungato Divino.
In the meantime, there are fantastically good lunches at such wineries as O. Fournier and
Andeluna (see below).
Casa Antucura
If you are used to luxur y, then you'll feel at home at this ex clusive,
secluded, high-class and haven't-overlooked-a-thing wine lodge in the lovely Vista Flores
district. A massiv e library, personal chef , large outdoor pool, world-class ar t collection,
there's even a minicinema! The lodge is set amid the Antucura vineyard and has outstand-
ing mountain vie ws. Each plush r oom is decorated in its o wn style, with massiv e win-
dows, large bathr ooms, DVD players. Service is pr ofoundly personalized. It's a slice of
paradise, indeed.
Barandica s/n, Vista Flores.
&
261/15-454-1432.
www.casaantucura.com. 8 units . Suit es $450-$790
(£304-£534). AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; wine c ellar; pool; spa; Jacuzzi; librar y; small cinema.
In
room:
DVD player.
La Posada del Jamón
Finds
CHARCUTERIE This “ham inn,” which started as a
sandwich and cold cuts shop, is not what you'd expect to find in this r egion. Despite its
kitschy all-pig theme, it's honest, humble, and a rar e find. Come for the sausages, cur ed
meats, head cheese, or pork tenderloin with homemade applesauce (some say it's the best
pork in the country). The vegetarian lasagna is also good. The family-run service here is
great. In summer, ask for an outdoor table for beautiful vie ws.
RP 92, K m 14, Vista Flores, Tunuyán.
&
262/249-2053.
www.laposadadeljamon.com.ar. Main courses
$8-$14 (£5.40-£9.45). V. Daily noon-4pm; Thurs-Fri 8pm-midnight.
10
Posada Salentein
Tucked behind the massiv e S alentein winer y complex, this
rural posada has an old-time, secluded ranch feel that doesn 't overdo the wine theme.
Eight comfortable rooms are set in two buildings—a rustic old house and a brighter new
one. The upstairs Merlot room has a priv ate balcony. All r ooms have kitchenettes. The
European owners' art collection is also on display thr oughout the property. The Argen-
tine-style menu at the r estaurant is v ery personalized and fr esh, for lunch and dinner .
This area is par ticularly gorgeous in the fall when the alamo tr ees are golden. This is a
fine place in which to get away fr om it all (including television).
Ruta 89 and Videla, L os Arboles , Tunuyán.
&
262/242-9000.
w ww.bodegasalentein.com. 8 units .
$300-$360 (£203-£243) double. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; pool; business center; TV lounge.
Rancho 'e Cuero
This classic Argentine mountain
estancia
has no frills, no spa,
no TVs in r ooms, and no fiv e-star restaurant. What it does hav e is seemingly endless
acreage, great hospitality, and plenty of oppor tunities for adv enture—including horse-
back riding, hikes to glaciers, and fly-fishing. D eep in the mountains and far fr om the
