Thanks. On the web, Casa Glebinias gets even better reviews than Lares de Chacras (and may be less expensive). What say our experts?

I have first hand experiences with Lares but not with Glebinas, although I have heard good reviews. Just beware that availability is sometimes an issue at both properties, so you may not be able to choose.

While it's certainly nice to have someone do the driving for you, I strongly disagree that doing it on one's own with a car is practically impossible. I had no problem at all doing it. I was able to arrange 3-4 stops a day and hit them no problem. One needs to plan a day or two ahead when doing this, but it's certainly doable. See my post #167 a couple of pages back in this thread for more details.

Sure its possible to do (although its not easy).... but then, whats the point of visiting 3-4 bodegas if you cant drink the wine? I will assume that you didnt drink the wines and still drove all day, right...?

Also, even if you have a non drinker in your party, signage in Mendoza continues to be very bad, and you will also need to have someone in your party that speaks Spanish... when you get lost and need to ask for directions, chances of you finding someone fluent in English will be very very slim.

Gaucho, I taste wines almost like a person in the trade does, spitting as I go - although I will certainly swallow a small amount if the wine is really good - Note, I used to be in the trade, and I know what I'm doing as far as tasting lots of wine without getting trashed.

I can probably taste 50-80 wines critically in a day of tasting in California - where I might hit 12-15 wineries in a day. During a 6-7 hour span, I probably actually consume the equivalent of 2-3 glasses of wine, and because that is done gradually over a period of time, I am certainly nowhere near getting intoxicated - In fact, I'm much more likely to suffer from palette fatigue than from a "buzz" from too much alcohol. In Mendoza, I am seeing far fewer wineries, so I am probably tasting more like 20-30 wines in a full day, and again, I am consuming no more than a couple of glasses worth over that time.

Actually, the key is to get good maps - which I have found are available at Vines of Mendoza and in the brochures at the hotel desks. I really had no problem at all finding my way around. I can read Spanish, although I'm much less able to understand it when it's spoken at normal speed by a native speaker.

The point is, I really had no problem at all making my way around the area over the course of 3 days, driving myself in an area I had never been to before. The independence of having one's own car, and the ability to alter one's own itinerary at will is invaluable in really getting an appreciation for the area.

As an example of the advantage going on one's own provides, one of the wineries that I set up on the spur of the moment because I had some time between planned visits, and happened to be in the area nearby, was Achaval Ferrer - which turned out to be the highlight winery of my entire trip.

After contacting several inns and hotels, I think I have reluctantly decided to stay in Mendoza for my November stay. I just can't justify paying $150+ night at some of the country inns, when I can find decent b&bs in Mendoza for less than 1/3rd of that.

I suspect staying in Mendoza, while less atmospheric, may also reduce my touring expenses. Can anyone recommend a good value driver/tour? I'm also looking through past posts and contacting those who seem to have information on this.

BTW, I would also consider renting an automatic transmission vehicle if I could find one at a decent price, but I presume that will be nearly impossible.

Thanks for the help!!

Please note that staying inside the city will reduce your touring expenses... but only touring to restaurants and other urban locations, which will include a few bodegas that are closer to the city proper. However, distances in Mendoza are considerable.... so, staying closer to the city will not save you time/distance & $$$ if you want to visit the more interesting bodegas, almost all of which are located well outside of the city.

Also... please note that even though the price difference between a B&B and a country inn is at least 3 to 1, please be aware that the comfort and services offered are in completely different galaxies... there is no comparison. Of course, only you know where you want to spend your $$$ and Im not trying to argue with you on that, its just that Im not sure what you mean by "not being able to justify".... as the price difference will be more than evident by the difference in what you will get between a B&B and the country-inns that are recommended on the various threads/posts in these fora.

I would forget renting a car..... even a manual transmission vehicle will be a lot more expensive than what you would pay for a comparble set of wheels in North America... plus, you will get lost, signage in Mendoza is poor, and you must speak fluent Spanish to be able to get directions.

Well, I can only know what I read, and it would appear that I can be quite comfortable at a Mendoza b&b for a tiny fraction of the price of a country inn. It does seem like I will give up quite a bit of atmosphere, which is a shame, but everyone has their price and I'm personally not willing to pay 4x as much for atmosphere based on what I'm reading. FWIW, Americans don't get to stay in many b&bs because they are generally MUCH more expensive than hotels (especially for wheelin' and dealin' flyertalkers!), so perhaps that explains my perspective a bit.

It would also seem that I'll get better restaurant access in town. Is that correct? I would also love to be able to secure a reasonably priced driver for an extensive full day tours of the vineyards. Thanks for the help!

Yes, closer to town will offer you more dining choices.

Im afraid I cant help much with the reasonable priced driver... Im very cautious about recommending drivers (had bad experiences) and only have one driver that I trust, but he drives a Land Rover and is priced in the luxury category and on top of that he is booked almost 6 months in advance.

Thanks. And you're right -- I'm not looking for a guy with a Land Rover. :)

Other activities near Mendoza?
 

We are contemplating a week in Argentina late January. In 2 previous visits we have spent time around BA, and gone hiking near El Chalten.

Now thinking of the central Andes region for sightseeing, some wine, and a bit of hiking. Is Mendoza likely to be a good choice? Other possibilities? I assume we will need a car despite the cost and my rather poor Spanish.

Thanks

Gaucho100K:

You are correct ... and I didn't follow your advise ... but would do it again:
-Distances in the Mendoza wine area are pretty long
-Car rental was NOT too expensive. Had a small car from Hertz and paid 406ARS ($133.68) for 3 days. BTW, the Hertz agents at the airport have been super friendly and helpful!
-And yes, I got lost several times, but finally found all destinations ... with my little Spanish.
-And yes, the signage is not good. Lots of construction work on some streets outside Mendoza ... and the maps I had didn't help me a lot. I was told, no GPS in Mendoza, don't know, if it's true.

As said before, I would do it again. Mrs. USAFAN and I like to roam around on ourself .... there is lots to see, to test .... people are so friendly and the scenery is spectacular! Bottom line: Due to your thread^, we have been well prepared for the trip .... It was a wonderful experience!
Thanks Gaucho100K^^^

Hi USAFAN-- glad you had a great trip... and congratulation for doing it on your own!!! ^ ^ ^ Im glad the warnings had you prepare and not be deterred from doing it anyways... :D ^

Hey USAFAN --

I'm heading to Mendoza next month and have a couple of driving questions for you. Unfortunately, the system won't let me send you a PM. Can you send one to me?

Thanks.

Next time you are in Mendoza, I would suggest trying to visit the following producers:

- Benegas
- La Azul
- O. Fournier
- Mapema
- Cruzat Larrain (for sparkling)