Located at the base of the Andes Mountains in west-central Argentina, Mendoza captured a special place in our hearts. It is best known for being the main wine region of Argentina and the city’s mature Acacia lined streets give it a unique identity that add to its charm. The air and the attitude reminded us a lot of Phoenix and that familiarity only grew over the three days we spent there. An accurate description of the area is difficult, but it felt like a unique combination of wine retreat and beach town, a place where you can enjoy a five-star meal in shorts and a T-shirt.

Mandy organized three separate days of wine tours that really helped us understand the wine of the region and the outlying areas. Our first day was spent exploring the more modern wineries of the Uco Valley. We ended our day at the Bodega Diamandes which is where I saw one of the most beautiful intersections of modern architecture and nature working together, in my life.  The next day we toured a large ranch on horseback with our gracious host Luz who has had family ownership ties to the property going back three generations. We ended the day enjoying a traditional Argentine Asado, and of course more than my fair share of wine. Our last day was spent on wineries in the Maipu and Lujan region where we saw some of the more traditional vineyards of the area.

There is nothing in the world like polishing off a bottle of wine on a vineyard with the vines in the distance and the snowcapped Andes on the horizon. Not even a few days had passed before I wanted to go back.  //  Jeff