Chile & Argentina Wine & Culinary Adventure

Visit the Neyen de Apalta Winery, which focuses all its production on one Bordeaux-style blend from 115 year-old Carménère vines. Next head to Viu Manent Winery, home to several award-winning vintages, including their Gran Reserva Malbec (2010), Secreto de Viu Manent Sauvignon Blanc (2011), and Secreto de Viu Manent Syrah (2010). Following your tour and tasting, enjoy lunch at the winery.

After lunch visit the Casa Lapostolle Winery, founded in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle (of the Grand Marnier family), which produces some of the best QPR (quality/price ratio) wines in Chile. Since its outstanding debut 1997 vintage, Casa Lapostolle’s Clos Apalta bottling has helped to establish Colchagua as a premier red-wine region.

Fly to Mendoza, located at the base of the Andes in the heart of Argentina wine country. Your hotel is a favorite of our travelers: a converted country home on the outskirts of the city, with its own small vineyard. Depending on your arrival time, we can set up a bike and wine tour that takes you to a few different wineries in the area.

In the evening meet Cristina Brino, chef at the Finca Adalgisa, for a lesson in Argentine cooking. Held outside next to a wood-burning oven, this hands-on class will teach you how to make local specialties such as empanadas and chimichurri sauce. Brino uses many fresh ingredients grown right at the finca, and the class also includes the opportunity to enjoy wines produced on-site.

Spend the day in Valle de Uco, an area known for producing some of Argentina’s most renowned wines. Enjoy a day of wine tasting (and lunch) surrounded by exceptional mountain scenery, with a local guide who knows the area intimately.

Discover the Lujan de Cuyo wine region. Visit the Catena Zapata, Ruca Malen and Septima wineries, with lunch included at the Ruca Malen. This is an “experts” tour and will allow you to taste many varietals produced in the region, such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Torrontes.

Fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s colorful capital, where your private guide will take you to your boutique hotel in the fashionable Palermo district. This is one of the best areas of town for walking around, with charming boutiques and top restaurants.

In the afternoon explore Buenos Aires with your private guide, an engaging bilingual local who will take you through the city’s unique neighborhoods and help you get to know this fascinating metropolis. Discover the charms of Palermo, the Recoleta, the Teatro Colon, the Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, and La Boca. With your private guide, you have the flexibility to explore at your own pace and make detours and stops along the way.

You will have the end of the day free to explore on your own and eat out at one of the city’s excellent restaurants. For a unique culinary experience, we can arrange a Puerta Cerrada (closed door) dinner, where a professional chef creates a delectable meal in a small, intimate environment.

Take a lovely ferry ride to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. Set out with your private guide to explore Colonia, a well-preserved 17th century Portuguese colonial town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a unique and exquisite lunch at the Rio Ancho Gourmet Lodge, overlooking the Rio de la Plata river. Rio Ancho offers an unforgettable culinary experience based on native ingredients and paired with excellent local wines. After your lunch you can relax on the shores of the river before heading back to the ferry and returning to Buenos Aires for the night.

Today you will say goodbye to your local guide and head to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.