Food and Wine in Argentina

Tour Type:

Private Group Tour

Comfort Rating:

Luxury

Activity Level:

Really Easy

Duration:

7 Days

Join Go Get Lost on an enchanting journey of discovery from the shores of the South Atlantic to the foothills of the Andes Mountains, immersing ourselves in breathtaking landscapes, fascinating culture, exquisite food and world-class wine from some of South Americas best producers! We’ll start in vibrant, cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, where the cultural blend of European and South American influences combine to create something magical…in historic architecture…in cuisine…and in the people. In the Argentine countryside we’ll mix with the famed gauchos, as they herd their cattle across the rolling pampas landscape. Nestled against the spectacular Andes range, the wine region of Mendoza will redefine your idea of vineyards…and hospitality. You’ll meet winemakers who are at the top of their craft, and see vineyards that are setting a new standard across the continent.

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Day 1 - Bienvenido a Argentina

When you arrive in Buenos Aires airport you'll make your way to our centrally located 5-Star hotel. The name Buenos Aires means fair winds, or literally "good airs" in Spanish. It is one of the largest cities in Latin America, with a wealth of cultural offerings, and is the beginning point for most Argentinean experiences. Inhabitants of Buenos Aires are called porteños, "people from the port", implying that many of the inhabitants are immigrants in some ways or another.
After checking into your hotel, you'll have some free time to rest and relax, or wander at your leisure. Later this evening we'll have an orientation meeting...with wine, of course! Afterwards we'll enjoy a superb Argentinean dinner and one of the hottest Tango shows at a favorite Buenos Aires club! In the very heart of San Telmo neighborhood, this refurbished historic conventillo is a classic building of the Buenos Aires culture. La Ventana is a trip to older times. The interior architectural style is preserved, and creates the ideal setting for a unique experience; 35 artists in scene, two tango orchestras, a folklore band, dancers and singers; a menu that consists of several traditional and international dishes, and a list of excellent Argentine wines. And don't be shy, hop up and join the dancers...they are there to teach you the moves!

Day 2 - Buenos Aires

After breakfast this morning we'll start our exploration of this incredible city. Buenos Aires is one of the most fascinating urban areas in both Latin America and the world. Be it for the splendid and varied architecture, with its old Colonial buildings, French palaces and state‐of‐the‐art skyscrapers; for its vibrant nightlife and endless cultural options; or maybe just for the rich identity of the Porteños, who proudly bear the European heritage of their ancestors, visitors are always mesmerized by their stay in the city. We'll visit such iconic sites as Plaza de Mayo, the Presidential Palace, the Cabildo, and the Neoclassical‐styled Metropolitan Cathedral. In Retiro and Recoleta, we will learn about the dream of the local aristocrats in the late 19th centuries, when they sought to build a small‐scale Paris in the heart of Buenos Aires. After visiting the impressive Plaza San Martín we’ll stroll down Avenida Alvear, chosen by the world’s most distinguished brands to install their exclusive boutiques, looking up you can see the many wonderful French style palaces which nowadays house a number of embassies.

Then we’ll visit the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, one of the city’s oldest churches, which dates to the Colonial era. Finally, we’ll admire the celebrated Recoleta Cemetery, a true labyrinth of ornate mausoleums. We’ll make a stop at Eva Peron’s grave, one of the country’s most recognizable icons. We’ll visit Puerto Madero, the latest addition to the city’s barrios. In 1991, its huge warehouses and silos where remodeled and redesigned, to finally integrate the river to the city and to create a new, residential, hotel and gastronomic district, which has become the playground for the Porteños and the international jet‐set.
Always interesting is a visit to San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. It used to be the residential district favored by the upper class until late 19th century, when a yellow fever epidemic caused the wealthier families to leave northwards. In the 1970s the area was revitalized when many artists and artisans came to San Telmo to install their workshops. Nowadays, thanks to its amazing architecture and hip atmosphere, this ancient neighborhood is blooming. We’ll walk its cobbled streets, where the city’s Colonial past seems to come back to life, making a stop at Plaza Dorrego, best known for its traditional antiques fair, held every Sunday.
Leaving San Telmo behind, we’ll continue southwards to La Boca, one of the city’s most authentic and charming neighborhoods. It is a working class district, heavily shaped by Italian immigrants who came to the country in large numbers during the last quarter of the 19th century. Here, we’ll make a special visit to the mythical Caminito Street, which sums up everything that gives La Boca its distinctive spirit: the strong passion for soccer, the heavy presence of art and color, and the Tango‐esque atmosphere. We'll have lunch at one of our favorite local hangouts...La Brigada. La Brigada Steak House is a landmark as a restaurant as a typical Argentina Parrillada. The Steak House is located in the bohemian district of San Telmo, known for its historic cobbled streets and wonderful street market. It has one of the best steaks in Buenos Aires and a very complete Argentina wine list. Afterwards we'll stop at another iconic Buenos Aires eatery, Cafe Tortoni, to have the typical snack of Argentian...hot chocolate with churros. In this café time seems to have stood still like an old photograph, when people used to come here to play billiards, cards, or just to share a coffee with friends. With each day that passes, the place becomes an ever more indispensable part of the history of
Buenos Aires.

Tonight we have a very special treat for you, a progressive dinner at two of Buenos Aires most iconic establishments. We'll start at a typical regional restaurant for the empanadas and vino, then move to the best steak house in the city, La Cabrera. In a country of cows, La Cabrera was positioned as a cult grill, the best in the city. It is not a traditional grill, Gastón Riveira, its creator, defines it as "bien porteña". Each of the details of La Cabrera were thought out thoroughly. In La Cabrera you will find the best Argentine beef, excellent wines and a selection of side dishes, specially prepared for each dish and served in small casseroles. It is not a grill anymore, the intention is that both Argentines and tourists can live a unique experience. The porteños identify themselves, the foreigners are surprised.

Day 3 - A Day at the Pampas

Today we head into the countryside to discover some of what makes Argentina special...the gauchos. We'll visit a typical ranch located in the outskirts of San Antonio de Areco, a traditional gaucho town per excellence, only two hours away from Buenos Aires. In the town you'll see the locals using their typical one‐horse carriages called "sulkys", or just riding on horse‐back. You'll see firsthand the enchantment of the Argentine land, the beautiful landscape, its growing crops, and the incomparable wild aroma in the air. The field day culminates with an exhibition and mix‐up of matched‐together horse herds (tropillas), and the indigenous horseback sport called "carreras de sortijas" (ring‐races), all of which show the remarkable relationship of the gaucho and his horse.

Lunch today will be a full Argentinean barbecue at the ranch, bring an appetite!

Later we'll also have time to visit some of the local silversmiths for which the area is famous, to see how they ply their craft which has been handed down through the generations.

Tonight you'll have the evening free to explorre Buenos Aires on your own.

Day 4 - Mendoza and the Maipu Wine District

This morning after breakfast we'll have a private transfer to the airport in Buenos Aires for our flight to the city of Mendoza, the capital of Mendoza province. It is located in the northern‐central part of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains on the eastern side of the impressive Andes Mountains. Mendoza is the fourth largest city in the country and the region around it is the largest wine producing area in Latin America. As such, Mendoza is one of nine cities worldwide in the network of Great Capitals of Wine, and the city is the perfect base for exploring the hundreds of vineyards in the region. In fact the two main industries of Mendoza area are olive oil production and wine making.

Our first stop will be the vineyard of Bodega Tempus Alba, an artisan winery run by an Argentinean family. Their grandparents arrived at this loved land at the beginning of last century, searching for a place to raise a family and begin a new life...so then, their family history began based on love, hard work and hope. Everything here is a family effort, enthused with their passion of sharing the land and its traditions. Over time they have created a truly beautiful winery in an area that is more famous for dusty, adobe style bodegas.

Tempus Alba offers a beautifully elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, an intense and rounded Malbec, a complex and cheeky Syrah, a Merlot of deep intrigue and the incredibly refined Reserve Tempus Pleno ‐ a truly stunning blend that captures the Tempus Alba philosophy ¨We are what we do in every bottle¨. We'll start off with a guided tour of the winery with one of the members of the Biondolillo family or the winemaker and end up on the outstanding terrace. You'll then be guided in the challenge of blending their five red varietals to make your own custom blend. The activity invites you to play around, to try and understand the challenge of a wine maker: to create his own work of art by combining different grape varietals...Enjoy playing winemaker for a day with the owners of the winery and get to learn about your own palate. Afterwards we can relax and enjoy a delicious lunch with Tempus Alba´s owner...on what is, without question, the terrace with the best view in all Mendoza!

Finally today we visit Casa El Enemigo, inspired by Alejandro Vigil’s childhood with his grandfather, he designed the casa to reflect the simplicity he remembers and is always searching for. "The idea is to follow your work, while just being home," says Alejandro (Zapata´s Winemaker). Here we'll have a tour of their cellars and an excellent wine tasting.

Afterwards we'll make our way to our 5-Star hotel in the city of Mendoza.

Day 5 - Lujan de Cuyo Wine District

This morning we head for the vineyards of Luhan de Cuyo, in the heart of Mendoza wine country. Starting with Nicolás Catena's winery, Catena Zapata. You’ll be surprised to discover a pristine Maya temple tucked away in the vineyards of Mendoza. The impressive cream-stoned pyramid is the showcase winery for Catena Zapata, one of Argentina’s most prestigious winemakers. They were the first to bring these high quality wines into the international market, and it is Catena Zapata that deserves the credit for alerting the world to the potential of Argentina. The winery is now at the top of the Argentine wine pyramid. The label demands high prices and has attracted gushing reviews. In fact, it’s hard to get your hands on a bottle here as most wines are exported. What wines remain are for a privileged few.

We continue to Bodega Ruca Malén where we´ll enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience. From the foothills of the Andes Mountains, the focus of Ruca Malen is producing wines that speak of the land and their commitment to the environment. There, you will taste their entire wine list, including their famous and iconic "Kinien". The dining room is located inside a glass room in the vineyards with a view of the Andes. The menu is amazing and the courses are universally excellent, with clever taste combinations, great presentation and appropriate wine matching.

Back in Mendoza we have another sensational evening planned, with a superb dinner at Los Toneles Winery. Los Toneles is a meticulously remodeled winery, with a stunning blend of traditional and modern. The restoration was so faithful to its original 1920s architecture that it has been declared a Cultural Heritage site of Mendoza. A charming design and beautiful surroundings make it the perfect site for appreciating carefully designed dishes reflecting a traditional Argentinian style. The restaurant, Abrasado, offers gourmet cuisine in one of the private rooms or grand halls overlooking the wine cellars. The winemaker’s art comes together with the gastronomic mastery of Chef Sebastián Weigandt, whose dishes combine a selection of roasted fine meat cuts and splendid locally grown vegetables. Beef comprises the menu’s soul and spirit. The house specializes in dry aged steaks, beefs that have been aged through a traditional method that exposes it to air so dehydration further concentrates its flavor and improves its texture.

Day 6 - The Uco Valley

We'll get an early start from Mendoza today as our private coach picks us up after breakfast and whisks us towards the Uco Valley, taking the scenic route via Tupungato. The mountains and the beautiful views in Uco Valley prepare our senses to experience the aromas and flavors of these high altitude wines. Surrounded by an impressive landscape at the foot of the Tupungato Volcano you will enjoy these prestigious wineries, and end up with an exquisite lunch.

Our first stop is located is the Pulenta Estate. The Pulenta family has been making wine in Argentina since 1912. The sons of winemaker Antonio Pulenta and descendents of Italian immigrants, Eduardo and Hugo Pulenta, gave life to Pulenta Estate in 2002, combining experience and highly qualified labor. The tradition, knowledge, and experience of the family acquired during 100 years since the arrival of Angelo Pulenta and Palmina Spinssanti to Argentina, who live and work today in Pulenta Estate.

We continue for lunch at one of the great rising stars of the region: Bodega Andeluna. The building would look quite at home in a remote part of Texas as a hunting lodge. Situated at the foot of the Andes just outside of the town of Tupungato in the Uco Valley, Andeluna has magnificent views of the mountains. The huge windows of the dining room are designed to take advantage of the effect, allowing us to enjoy the view as much as the food. The kitchen is entirely open for viewing from the dining area, and it is remarkable to see the creativity of these chefs in action. Their cuisine philosophy is of constant change. It combines
the freshness of the products of each season and the delights typical of our country, inviting you to savor the flavors of Argentina’s seven regions.

Tonight we have a special farewell dinner planned in one of Mendozas most intriguing restaurants. It's always enjoyable to re-live all of the adventures and misadventures of the trip, to offer plenty of toasts, and to exchange our favorite pictures! AND to plan our next adventure!

Day 7 - Adios Argentina

Your Go Get Lost tour ends today after breakfast at your hotel. Your tour leader can help you arrange transportation to the Mendoza airport, or transfers to anywhere else you might want to go.

HOTELS

Due to availability at the time of booking, hotels listed may change to similar hotels

Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel: The Sofitel offers a luxurious, authentic and exclusive experience in the heart of the Recoleta neighborhood. The hotel offers easy access to the city's main tourist attractions and boasts elegant and spacious rooms, a heated pool, fitness center, outdoor garden and modern art exhibitions in the lobby. Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta Hotel is opposite the Patio Bullrich shopping mall and just one block away from the prestigious Alvear Avenue.

Park Hyatt Mendoza Hotel: The Park Hyatt Mendoza Hotel in Argentina, with its beautifully restored 19th-century Spanish colonial facade, is one of the most prestigious luxury hotels of Mendoza, conveniently situated in the main business district in the centre of Mendoza. With a prominent position on the Plaza de la Independencia, the hotel is only 15 minutes from Mendoza international airport, 15 minutes from the main Mendoza vineyards and 90 minutes from major ski resorts in Argentina. Park Hyatt Mendoza is ideal for business and leisure travelers, with stunning views of the Mendoza vineyards.

• 3 Nights, Double Occupancy Standard Room at 5-Star Sofitel Buenos Aires Hote (or similar)
• 3 Nights, Double Occupancy Superior Room at 5-Star Park Hyatt Hotel Mendoza (or similar)
• 6 Breakfasts
• 5 Lunches
• 4 Dinners
• LOTS of wine tastings with private tours and tastings at 6 different vineyards
• Private tour with local guide in Buenos Aires
• Tango show
• All transportation once the tour starts until the final dinner
• Domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Mendoza on Day 4. Due to fluctuations in airfare, your price may change slightly at the time of booking.
• All tips except for your primary local tour leaders (one in Buenos Aires, one in Mendoza)

• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Beverages at meals unless specified in itinerary (all group meals include water and wine)
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Medical Insurance (strongly recommended), call for details
• Single supplement charge
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, etc.
• Arrival and departure transfers
• International airfare
• Any costs associated with options or free time