It was a 2-hour flight from Buenos Aires to Mendoza. We were going from the east coast to almost the west coast of South America. It'd have been too far to drive across the pampas of Argentina. Mendoza is wine country, known for its Malbec wine. As we drive into town from the airport, you can see why. The place looks arid but not too hot. Perfect terrain for wine grapes, olives and other mediterranean-type crops, like in Spain or Italy. We checked into the Urban Suites hotel on 25 de Mayo street. We are to stay here for 3 nights.
Our first day activity is a wine and olive tour: 3 wineries and 1 olive mill. I have been on many wine tours and the wine-making process are all similar. Each winery has their own twist to the process. Malbec is the dominant grape variety grown here although other types of wine are made here as well.
The wineries are big and they export a fair amount to Europe and the United States. Malbec is becoming a popular red wine in the US.
Argentina is famous for its steak and we had an all-you-can-eat steak lunch when we arrived in town. It was very good and as you can imagine, we all ate too much.
The next day most of the group went river rafting. Another traveler and I opted to stay in town and take the hop-on hop-off city bus. It took us around different parts of the city in 3 hours. Although we can hop-off and spend time at a site and catch the next bus, we did not do that. We stayed on the bus the entire trip. It costs 220 Argentinian pesos, or about US$11.
One thing that impresses me about Mendoza is the wide tree-lined streets. Large trees are planted along side all the streets. It provides shade and adds beauty to the city.
Our first day activity is a wine and olive tour: 3 wineries and 1 olive mill. I have been on many wine tours and the wine-making process are all similar. Each winery has their own twist to the process. Malbec is the dominant grape variety grown here although other types of wine are made here as well.
The wineries are big and they export a fair amount to Europe and the United States. Malbec is becoming a popular red wine in the US.
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| Wine-tasting and wine-education |
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| Malbec grapes ready for harvest |
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| The 1st winery we visited |
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| Name of the Olive Mill |
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| Explaining the growing process |
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| Olive oil from Pasrai |
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| 2nd winery - Dante Robino |
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| View of our hostess through a glass of red wine |
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| Olives from Pasrai Olive Mill |
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| Malbec grape vines |
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| A wonderful lunch at our last winery - Kaiken winery |
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| A delicious lunch cooked BBQ-style |
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| Steak and other meat on a grill |
The next day most of the group went river rafting. Another traveler and I opted to stay in town and take the hop-on hop-off city bus. It took us around different parts of the city in 3 hours. Although we can hop-off and spend time at a site and catch the next bus, we did not do that. We stayed on the bus the entire trip. It costs 220 Argentinian pesos, or about US$11.
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| Monument on top of Cerro de la Gloria |
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| Entrance to Parque San Martin |
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| Church in Mendoza |
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| Hop-on hop-off city bus |
One thing that impresses me about Mendoza is the wide tree-lined streets. Large trees are planted along side all the streets. It provides shade and adds beauty to the city.
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| One of the streets shaded by large oak trees. |
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