Argentina – Wine Tasting Tours of Vintage Wines
Travel San Juan's Vineyards and Learn the Process of Wine Making
Mar 26, 2009
"The Land of Sun and Good Wine", as the province of San Juan is called, has an excellent climate for "bodegas", or wineries, and is known for its vintage wines. The wineries lie spread over the green valleys of the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Wine making is the main business of the bodegas, but more and more wineries open their doors for wine tasting tours.
Vintage Wines of San Juan
Thanks to cool weather, low humidity and the availability of water from the Andes Mountains, vineyards in San Juan meet all the requirements to produce high quality grapes, essential for vintage wines. Argentina is a leader in the world of wine production and San Juan, together with Mendoza Province, are Argentina's top producers of wine.
It is possible to visit San Juan's vineyards independently, by private vehicle. But In San Juan city there are also several travel agencies that offer wine tasting tours around the province. The majority of wine tasting tours is in the southern part of San Juan province, as well as to the west [Ullum and Zonda Valley]. Here are some suggestions among the many wine tasting tours available:
Wine Tasting Tour at Viñas de Segisa
Bodega Viñas de Segisa is known as the first Boutique Winery in San Juan. They offer a tour around their vineyards as well as an explanation about their history, the wine making process and wine tasting techniques.
- Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-19pm, Sun 10am-14pm.
- Viñas de Segisa has a shop as well as a small restaurant. Reservations for lunch are mandatory.
- Wine labels: Segisa, Segisa Premium, Viñas de Segisa, Saxum, Horus.
- Aberastain y Calle 15, La Rinconada – Pocita / tel: 54 264 492 2000 / segisa@saxsegisa.com.ar
Wine Tasting Tour at Bodega Fabril Alto Verde
Bodega Fabril Alto Verde is one of the pioneers in the field of wine making with ecologically cultivated grapes. The organic wines are widely exported to countries in Europe, the US and Canada.
- Their tour ends with a wine tasting session at the elegant wine bar, under the guidance of an experienced taster.
- Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-13pm and 15.30-19.30pm / Sat 9am-13pm / Sun by appointment.
- Wine labels: Buenas Ondas, Mont Gaillard, Nuestra Esencia, Cheval de Marly.
- Accesso Sur entre Calles 13 y 14, Pocito / tel: 54 264 421 2683 / altoverde@arnet.com.ar
Wine Tasting Tour at Cavas de Zonda
Cavas de Zonda stands out from the rest: it is one of the few wineries in the world that has a mountain cave to store their sparkling wines, a type of champagne.
- Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-17pm, Sat & Sun 11am-17pm.
- Cavas de Zonda has a showroom, a shop and a room for wine tasting.
- Wine labels: Gran Cava, Cavas de Zonda.
- Ruta Provincial No 12, kms 15, Rivadavia / tel: 54 264 495 5144 / cavasdezonda@sinectis.com.ar
Rutas Del Vino – Wine Route San Juan
The Provincial Tourist Office has several brochures with activities in the surrounding areas, as well as a brochure listing several "Rutas de Vino" – Wine Routes – around the province of San Juan.
- Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat & Sun 9am-8pm.
- Sarmiento 24 Sur, downtown San Juan city.
Places of Interest in San Juan Province:
- West of San Juan, in Vallecito, stands the main shrine of Difunta Correa – one of Argentina's most important folk saints.
- Argentina's best lake for windsurfing is Cuesta del Viento in Rodeo.
- Argentina's, as well as one of the world's best landsailing spot is the Pampas of Barreal.
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