Mendoza (MDZ) - the ultimate Q&A thread
#511
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I'm starting my third day (sadly my last) of touring Mendoza. Miguel has been my extremely able guide for this trip. He has picked the right wineries to go to and has picked some excellent lunch locations. My lunch at La Azul with some nice wine pairings was to die for.
I really can't recommend Miguel highly enough!
I really can't recommend Miguel highly enough!
Last edited by Gaucho100K; Oct 12, 2014 at 7:12 pm Reason: correct grammar
#512
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Aug 2000
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Considering what you will have to spend on finding an automatic, you are far better off by hiring someone like Miguel Sanz and be driven around.... and remember to weigh in the fact that you will be able to enjoy a lot more wine if you don't have to worry about driving......
#513
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 13
I'm heading to Mendoza in January and reading through the 35 pages was actually not too hard. My girlfriend will be with me for 3 nights and 2 days before she heads back to the states while I have another 2 days and 2 nights. We will definitely visit some of the recommended wineries but I was also interested in doing some more outdoorsy/active events.
Can anyone recommend a good TA or tour guide to do things like kayaking, horse riding, or hiking the andes? It looks like I can take a bus to Aconcagua and hike around there for 6-8 hours before taking a bus back but was wondering if there were other options available.
Can anyone recommend a good TA or tour guide to do things like kayaking, horse riding, or hiking the andes? It looks like I can take a bus to Aconcagua and hike around there for 6-8 hours before taking a bus back but was wondering if there were other options available.
#514
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I'm heading to Mendoza in January and reading through the 35 pages was actually not too hard. My girlfriend will be with me for 3 nights and 2 days before she heads back to the states while I have another 2 days and 2 nights. We will definitely visit some of the recommended wineries but I was also interested in doing some more outdoorsy/active events.
Can anyone recommend a good TA or tour guide to do things like kayaking, horse riding, or hiking the andes? It looks like I can take a bus to Aconcagua and hike around there for 6-8 hours before taking a bus back but was wondering if there were other options available.
Can anyone recommend a good TA or tour guide to do things like kayaking, horse riding, or hiking the andes? It looks like I can take a bus to Aconcagua and hike around there for 6-8 hours before taking a bus back but was wondering if there were other options available.
Cheers,
Alex / Gaucho100K
#515
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 105
I've read this thread but I am a little unclear on which wineries are recommended for a Sunday trip, since it appears many will be closed. I will only be in Mendoza for a day, arriving at 9:30AM and leaving on Monday at 11:00AM. I will be staying at the park hyatt. Any recommendations for wineries to go to on Sunday?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#516
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I've read this thread but I am a little unclear on which wineries are recommended for a Sunday trip, since it appears many will be closed. I will only be in Mendoza for a day, arriving at 9:30AM and leaving on Monday at 11:00AM. I will be staying at the park hyatt. Any recommendations for wineries to go to on Sunday?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#517
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
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Another Opinion
Not Sunday specific, but wanted to give another perspective..While the MDZ Tour Jockeys are a viable group. They tend to stick together. Any experienced MDZ Wine Person, sees the usual suspects outside of the "usual" places. Not much more than a canned tour, fancy lunch and high matintenance experience. If you are one whom wants a more organic tour, I would stay away. Along with the finder fees the touts get. (not saying that is you Gaucho 100K) but from my experience, its runs with the land..The Norte Americanos get the short stick in MDZ. This is from an Importer whom has visited since 2009 until current.. (over 20 visits). Get out and explore, look for your own and you will find some off beat places along with the with a canned tour. experience if that is waht you are seeking. Thanks and Safe Travels..
Last edited by Flying Machine; Oct 11, 2014 at 8:55 pm
#518
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It would not be fair to say that Miguel Sanz is one of the usual Tour Jockeys, that's just not how he operates. Miguel will put something together according to what you want to see, and he has contacts in both large and small operations. Im ITB here in Argentina, so I will regularly facilitate new contacts to Miguel so he can keep his touring options updated. Its not the Norte Americanos that get the short stick, its all visitors that don't do their homework (no matter where you are from) that may get the short stick... so I urge everybody with a keen wine interest to do your preparation reading and research, and then make sure you supervise whatever list of visits your tour guide or operator of choice puts together for you.
I will go on the record again as saying that Miguel Sanz is a first class guide and no traditional Tour Jockey. I regularly send him by best clients and all come back with rave reviews...
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Miguel Sanz and his operations, I am however a long time customer of his transportation services. I am involved in the Wine Business (I own a High-end Wine Merchant business based in EZE).
I will go on the record again as saying that Miguel Sanz is a first class guide and no traditional Tour Jockey. I regularly send him by best clients and all come back with rave reviews...
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Miguel Sanz and his operations, I am however a long time customer of his transportation services. I am involved in the Wine Business (I own a High-end Wine Merchant business based in EZE).
#519
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,839
Another very satisfied client of Miguel Sanz, we wouldn't hesitate to use him again or recommend to friends. In addition to being a great guide and providing good advice, Miguel had been able to secure great venues for the tasting within some of the bodegas. The cellar room in Pulenta was particularly memorable.
We did 2 days touring (Uco Valley & Lujan/Maipu) and had a nice mix of boutique/family & a few big destination bodegas.
We did
Domiciano de Barancas
St. Diego
Mendel
Lagarde (with lunch)
Carmello Patti (absolutely engaging "garagista")
Pulenta
Andeluna
Salentein
La Azul (with lunch)
There weren't any bodegas we didn't enjoy, although if I had to pick one, Andeluna's over-oaked Aussie/California style (very much reflecting the last owners style) was, IMO, out of step with the more subtle use of oak elsewhere.
Given the current currency issues, as long as you have cash, it's an absolute bargain and even cheaper than South Africa as a quality wine destination.
We did 2 days touring (Uco Valley & Lujan/Maipu) and had a nice mix of boutique/family & a few big destination bodegas.
We did
Domiciano de Barancas
St. Diego
Mendel
Lagarde (with lunch)
Carmello Patti (absolutely engaging "garagista")
Pulenta
Andeluna
Salentein
La Azul (with lunch)
There weren't any bodegas we didn't enjoy, although if I had to pick one, Andeluna's over-oaked Aussie/California style (very much reflecting the last owners style) was, IMO, out of step with the more subtle use of oak elsewhere.
Given the current currency issues, as long as you have cash, it's an absolute bargain and even cheaper than South Africa as a quality wine destination.
Last edited by Kgmm77; Oct 27, 2014 at 5:10 pm
#520
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
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Posts: 6,017
I am looking forward to doing some wine tasting in Mendoza! But I am there for 3 1/2 days and personally cannot wine taste this many days. Unlike most of you, I don't spit out as much as I should So I'm wondering, can you recommend some other fun activities to do in the area and city?
Oh and also... re wine tasting. If I was solely to choose between Uco Valley or Luján de Cuyo for wine tasting... which should I choose? I prefer reds... and love great scenery and smaller boutique wineries. For lunch, I prefer pasta/pescado (because I do not eat carne).
Oh and also... re wine tasting. If I was solely to choose between Uco Valley or Luján de Cuyo for wine tasting... which should I choose? I prefer reds... and love great scenery and smaller boutique wineries. For lunch, I prefer pasta/pescado (because I do not eat carne).
#521
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I suggest you contact Miguel Sanz and tell him that you want a mixture of winery visit(s) with other activities. He will be able to put something together something for you to consider.
I am looking forward to doing some wine tasting in Mendoza! But I am there for 3 1/2 days and personally cannot wine taste this many days. Unlike most of you, I don't spit out as much as I should So I'm wondering, can you recommend some other fun activities to do in the area and city?
Oh and also... re wine tasting. If I was solely to choose between Uco Valley or Luján de Cuyo for wine tasting... which should I choose? I prefer reds... and love great scenery and smaller boutique wineries. For lunch, I prefer pasta/pescado (because I do not eat carne).
Oh and also... re wine tasting. If I was solely to choose between Uco Valley or Luján de Cuyo for wine tasting... which should I choose? I prefer reds... and love great scenery and smaller boutique wineries. For lunch, I prefer pasta/pescado (because I do not eat carne).
#522
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
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As to other activities, I prefer to do them solo were possible (rent a car & go for a hike, etc.)... so if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears.
#523
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PMs answered......
#524
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The vitivinticola drop-off-drop-on bus no longer goes to Valle de Uco, it instead visits the bodegas in the area around Lujan de Cuyo and is run by Turismo CATA: http://www.busvitivinicola.com/?mod=bus-textos
#525
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
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