A Culinary Experience

Cultural, Food & Wine Experience
4 days/ 3 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Mendoza

Reception in Mendoza, the cradle of Argentine wine making at the foothills of the Andes. Upon arrival, transfer to Entre Cielos boutique hotel for check in. Rest until dinner or relax at the fabulous Spa.

Optional Suggestion (ask to be included in your quote): This evening we experience “1884”, where Chef Francis Mallmann blends the finest culinary traditions of France and South America. The first non-European to win the Grand Prix de la Science de la Cuisine, Mr. Mallmann describes his restaurant as “a tribute to the wine and the regional cuisine”.

Day 2: Mendoza: Lujan de Cuyo, Cooking class

In the morning, we visit the award-winning winery Achaval Ferrer, and explore the concept of terroir while tasting wines produced at different altitude estates. Then, it is on to Dominio del Plata winery ( Susana Balbo Wines), where our chef instructor will guide you throughout the preparation of some delicious regional recipes such as empanadas and our world-famous asado (BBQ) on a hands-on cooking class.

You will learn about the traditional ingredients of the region and you will combine them to achieve truly Argentinian flavors. The class also includes the visit to the Chef's garden and the symbolic Argentinian ritual of Mate (traditional infusion). This is a unique opportunity to share and celebrate the culinary heritage of our country, led by a head chef, who will give you invaluable insight into how some of our most renowned national dishes came to be, and will tell you about the “gaucho” folklore around them. After relaxing over lunch surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Andes, you will return to your lodge mid-afternoon. (B, L)

Day 3: Mendoza – Central Valley, Olives & Wine

Today our culinary experience begins with a visit to Familia Zuccardi, traditional cradle of good olives & wines. Here we will take a course on olive oil production, which includes a visit to the extraction mill, didactic material, projection of images and technical tasting of different oils, with the goal of being able to recognize the different characteristics or attributes that olive oils can present and relate them to the different stages of the elaboration process.

Just a few miles away we find Casa El Enemigo winery, owned by Alejandro Vigil and Adriana Catena. Vigil is the head of oenologists of Catena Zapata Winery since 2002 and one of the names that defines the current production of premium wines in Argentina. Vigil created El Enemigo in 2015, inspired by the Divine Comedy. We relax over a pairing lunch of Argentine grilled specialties . Afternoon return to your hotel. (B, L)

Day 4: Mendoza –  Transfer to airport

This morning enjoy breakfast at the lodge before driving back to Mendoza airport to board connecting flight to your next destination.

(B)

(End of our services).