Yeah, I saw that and thought big friggin' deal. That said, Copa occasionally has crazy (mistake?) fares, so maybe someday I'll find myself on this flight. I have recently flown them from the USA to SCL and let's just say it's a long day (but not terrible).

Speaking of SCL, and somewhat off-topic, does anyone know of a resource for independent tours of the wine regions around Santiago? I've been to the Casablanca area on my way to Zapallar, but I haven't been to the others, like the Colchagua Valley. I've got a free weekend in Santiago coming up: should I go? Honestly, I would hop a cheap flight to Mendoza for the weekend if it were easier (or, more accurately, cheaper) to get around the Uco by myself.

Combine CM's Sale Fares and my 75%+ UG rate as a Platinum.. I find it rather nice.. Non *Alliance Flyers have lots of other options (especially Oneworld), so please look at in that perspective.. We have to typically fly into EZE or SCL then connect (if we want to stay in alliance for the long haul) and that makes this option so much better..

We're returning to Argentina for the second time in December. During our first visit, we stayed in Mendoza and hired a driver for two days of wine tours. This time, we're staying at Auberge du Vin near Tupungato (it was a Starwood points steal when it was a Category 3 hotel!).

Given the remote location, I'm inclined to rent a car. Otherwise, we're stuck at the hotel when we're not visiting wineries. I'm finding rental cars for 5 days from MDZ for about $300. That seems to be about as good as it gets, right?

I'd also like to hire someone for a couple of days of wineries, focusing on the Uco Valley -- any suggestions? (Our last guide was the person who rented out our accommodations; he only tours with those staying with him.)

Nice one! I have a Feb stay at Auberge du Vin booked at Cat 3 ^

Car rental price seems about right. Not sure you need a guide if you have your own car: unlike Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu areas, there are fewer wineries at the Uco Valley and they are hard to miss.

Whatever you do, don't miss the lunch at Finca la Azul! Book well ahead.

Sunday Only Uco Valley Wine Bus
 

Well Folks Tourism Continues to grow in Mendoza. This Sunday Only Wine Bus to the Uco Valle and Daily Hop on Hop Off to other Winery Locals in Mendoza is quite interesting. Details and links in the picture and here as well:

http://busvitivinicola.com/1back/index.php

English Fact Sheet: http://busvitivinicola.com/1back/ima...2017ingles.pdf

RafKa, thanks for confirming that the rental car price is on the mark.

Flying Machine, interesting information and might be handy for those staying in Mendoza. As we're staying near Tupungato, I don't think the bus will work for us.

Any other recommendations for guides?

If you need a private guide, contact Miguel Sanz. He is hands-down the best Guide in Mendoza. You will be in the best of hands with Miguel.

PM me if you want his details and I will forward you all his information.

cheers,
Alex / Gaucho100K

I took that bus around to the Valle de Uco.
It was pretty much the only way I could afford it going solo and not being in the industry.

I would recommend it, but remember to bring some water and food.
I also went on a Sunday, but the best winery we visited was hands down Bodegas Salentein. You can often find wines cheaper in town at the Winery stores.
Can't comment about their specific tour as I just spent time at the tasting bar as I didn't want to have entry level wines. I went for the good stuff.
People on the tour I spoke with said they enjoyed it, but they're wine noobs so take that as you will.

Tours/tasting are extra though regardless.

Monteviejo was "so so", but they weren't serving (let alone offering) anything mid-range even if willing to pay for a whole bottle. I can understand not opening up the high end bottles, but not even the upper middle range stuff... yikes... Nice views though.

Can't comment on Andeluna, since I was pretty drunk by that point and hadn't eaten. Salentein ran out of food so I didn't get lunch. I just sat around for the view with some Brits.

I would pass on Trapiche. It's the worst winery tour I've EVER been on. Inflexible, rushed and just didn't know anything about wines or laterals. Did I mention over priced?

Anyone visited Laureano Gomez (Bodega Garage) in the Uco Valley? Seems like a great one, off the beaten path!

If anyone is interested in meeting up and splitting a tour or two, my girlfriend and I are going to be in Mendoza and touring on November 22, 23, and perhaps 24. We are staying in the Park Hyatt. For now, we don't have much in the way of plans or concrete desires, though as per the recommendations of the thread we're going to contact Miguel Sanz.

That's upsetting for me to read. The value of the wines has always been a huge part of the appeal. I also saw this article, which shocked me. It compares the change in exchange rates to the change in inflation rates over the past year. It shows Argentina as one of the least attractive countries to visit, from a bargain point of view. https://www.vox.com/a/vacation-index

Although I will say, this show exchange as 16.5/usd and it seems to have devalued further in the last couple of months.

Current rate is more like 17.20 to 17.30 (at least), depending on what form of payment you use......

I've been in Mendoza for three weeks and will be here another couple months and am enjoying the city. I see the city bills itself as a clean city and for the most part I'd agree with the exception of the enormous amount of dog $hit on the sidewalks in the residential areas. Given that everyone has at least one dog, it is quite the issue. Sort of a rant but why all the pride in being clean when few bother with the poop everywhere?

My apologies -- I thought I had replied to Gaucho100k/Alex's post and I'm seeing that I had not! Alex, thanks for recommending Miguel; others sent us his contact information and we're now all set!

New question for the group: any recommendations on car rental options? I'm seeing negative reviews on Europcar on various sites, but they all seem to be written by the same person. Although we're arranging for a driver for tastings, we still want a car since we'll otherwise be stuck at the hotel.

--Virginia