Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
291
wineries, the lodge is remarkably comfortable. Watch for foxes and guanacos (cousins of
the llama) in the hills, and condors in the skies. You need a good v ehicle to get here on
your own or need to arrange a transfer with the lodge directly. They also offer lovely day
excursions, a spectacular br eak fr om the wine touring and a unique chance to hike,
horseback ride, and enjoy the mountains all in 1 day.
RP 86, Ugar teche, Tupungato.
&
261/15-569-2364
(c ell). w ww.ranchoecuero.com.ar. 6 units . $370
(£250) per person per day. Rates include full board and activities. V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; stable; trans-
fers; living room.
In room:
No phone.
Valle de Uco Lodge
This classic J esuit-style lodge is in the middle of the Valle de
Uco, 10 minutes w est of Tunuyán. A r ustic but upscale countr y retreat, it encompasses
tree-lined paths, expansiv e gar dens, and br eathtaking vie ws of the Andes. The nine
double and triple rooms are laid out in two buildings in a U-shape around a pool, garden,
and Malbec vines that stretch to the mountains. Huge bathrooms, high ceilings, and soft
colors characterize the rooms. The location is good, close to lots of wineries, and this is
a good base for bike tours. There's a concierge on staff who 'll help y ou with logistics.
However, you really need a car to come her e. The restaurant/lounge is a cozy , familiar
spot in which to unwind with a sample fr om the expansive wine cellar.
Calle Tabanera s/n, C olonia de Las Rosas , Tunuyán.
&
261/426-1888,
or 800/963-7870 fr om Nor th
America. www.postalesarg.com. 9 units. $200 (£135) double. Rates include breakfast. AE, MC, V.
Ameni-
ties:
Restaurant; wine bar; pool; high-speed Internet.
In room:
A/C, TV, safe.
What to See & Do
Wineries flourish in all corners of the Valle de U co. This “New Napa”—the Mendoza
region's “it spot”—is specifically near the village of La Consulta, where vineyards such as
Clos de La S iete, S an Polo, and O. F ournier ar e making a big name for themselv es.
Wineries here are part of a r ural countryside that differs fr om the mor e urban ar eas of
Maipú and L uján de C uyo. The colder temperatur es make for str ong pr oduction of
merlot and pinot noir wines.
If you are looking for a br eak from the wine-haz e, head to the hills. To the south of
the Valle de U co is the spectacular
Laguna del D iamante
, well worth a day trip
from either San Rafael or Mendoza city itself. At 3,230m (1,059 ft.), this natural r eser-
voir is backed by the gorgeous Maipú Volcano. The scenery is otherworldly. Take a driver
and a good truck. It's open for 4 months in the summer only.
TosoBoehler
(
&
261/15-
454-9005
[cell]) organizes tours in first-rate 4WD v ehicles; including a barbecue lunch
at the lake, it's $75 (£51) per person.
10
Tips
Come to Harvest
If you're going to be in Mendoza between February and April, the
Zuccardi fam-
ily
invites you to come pick some grapes at their vineyard, Finca Santa Rosa. This
unique program gives wine aficionados a day of hands-on work in the field. After
a short tutorial, guests receive scissors and a basket and then set t o work for 2
hours. Afterward, the Zuccardis serve a fantastic lunch (with ample wine), f ol-
lowed by a tour and tasting. It's a real bargain at $60 (£41) per person, including
lunch, a tour and tasting, and transportation to and from your hotel. Reserva-
tions are required (
&
261/441-0000;
turismo@familiazuccardi.com).
