Argentina, Chile Wine Tour

Arrival at Ezeiza, Buenos Aires international airport.

Meet and greet with your local host, transfer to your hotel (45 min) and assistance with check in.

Start with a full-day city tour of the southern part of Buenos Aires: discover the capital's main square, La Plaza de Mayo, from where the Avenida de Mayo, Buenos Aires's main avenue starts. All the landmarks of the nation's history can be found here: among which are La Casa Rosada, the seat of the Government, the white Cabildo, a historic place of administrative power now a museum retracing the history of the city and the city's imposing cathedral.

Later, take time to wander the streets of San Telmo, the neighborhood where the city's most illustrious families used to live which is also the cradle of tango. Nowadays, the cobbled streets are lined by antique stores and secondhand dealers.

Your next stop will be in La Boca, a typical and colorful neighborhood whose atmosphere reminds us of the strong influence of European emigrants, mainly Italian, on the city's history. Visit the famous 'Caminito', a street much like an open-air museum and stop by 'La Bombonera', the world-famous soccer stadium of La Boca.

Your tour will finish in Puerto Madero, a pioneer project for the rehabilitation of the old docks of the city that was started in the 90s. The modern feel of the area remains loyal to its maritime merchant past but all new buildings now host restaurants, bars and luxury apartments.

An experience that no one should miss on their visit to Buenos Aires is a tango night out. Indulge in a three-course dinner with an exciting tango performance, showcasing exceptional dancers accompanied by traditional pieces of the Argentinean musical genre. Sit back and enjoy the show from the comfort of your seat at The Querandi, a historic tango venue located in the center of town, where you will dine, sample excellent Argentinean wines and lose yourself in the passion of tango.
With a great variety of food options, enjoy every course of your traditional dinner before the show starts.

In the morning, your English-speaking drive-guide will pick you up from your hotel in Buenos Aires to take you to the Estancia “Santa Susana”, a one-hour drive out of town.
Your activities during the day will include a tour of the facilities, an equestrian show, the opportunity for a short horse ride and a real fiesta gaucha.
You will learn about the gauchos, the original herders of the South American pampa. If there are no real gauchos nowadays, a lot of people living in the countryside keep some of the customs of the hard-working men of the pampa alive, especially in the way they dress.
A traditional asado (barbecue) will be served for lunch including world-famous Argentinean grilled meats accompanied by a performance of traditional folk songs.

In the afternoon you will drive back to your hotel.

Back in Buenos Aires, you will go on a tour of the northern part of the city, starting with La Recoleta, the capital's original affluent neighborhood which has remained a highly sought-after area to live in. Its local cemetery might be the most famous in the world where Evita Peron rests. The designs of the mausoleums are all unique, reflecting the many artistic and architectural currents that thrived during the building of the nation and behind every tombstone lies the story of the city and the country.

Right outside the cemetery, Our Lady of Pilar stands tall, a unique colonial church built in the eighteenth century. Just a few blocks from there, on Alvear Avenue some of the most beautiful mansions and private hotels of the city can be found. This is also the place to go for art galleries.

Another blocks away you will stop at the Carlos Pellegrini Square which got its name from an Argentinean president of the late nineteenth century who created the Jockey Club. This is also where some large Embassies are located, having taken residence in mansions previously owned by well-known families of the city.

Free evening.

Morning transfer to Buenos Aires domestic airport (30 min) and assistance with check-in.

Direct flight to Mendoza (1 hour 45 min).

Meet and greet with your local host, transfer to your hotel (25 min) and assistance with check-in.

Set among the mountains towering the Uco Valley this wine tour is an opportunity to get acquainted with the aromas and flavors of unique high-altitude wines. In one day you will get to stop at award-winning wineries such as Salentein, Domaine Bousquet and Andeluna Cellars where you will sample some excellent wines against an impressive background.
This high-end tour is designed for small groups of travelers who have a shared interest or a passion for wine. The day will be complete with your last stop where a gourmet lunch will be served.

WINERIES:
Visit and Wine tasting at Salentein Family Wines
Visit and Wine tasting at Domaine Bousquet Winery
Visit and Gourmet Lunch at Andeluna Cellars: 6 course-lunch with wine-pairing
Transportation and bilingual guide

Free evening.

Overnight at your hotel in Mendoza.

This dazzling full day tour will take you to the Potrerillos Dam for impressive panoramic views. Drive to the Uspallata Valley where you will reach the Picheuta Historical Bridge, whose purpose was to create a commercial link and safe passage between the western Argentinean province and its neighboring country, Chile.

Stop at various settlements, ski resorts and historical monuments along the road: los Penitentes, Las Cuevas, El Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer - in summer only) and Puente de Inca before getting an unforgettable view of the impressive Aconcagua, the continent's highest mountain.

Morning transfer to Lujan de Cuyo where you will start your cycling tour, an original and enjoyable way to discover this amazing wine-growing region.
Surrounded by the unique scenery of the Andes in the background you will pedal your way from one vineyard to the next at a leisurely pace, stopping at three wineries for a guided tour of their vineyards and the opportunity to sample their products during a wine tasting at their cellar door.

A gourmet lunch with wine pairing will be served at your last stop.

In the afternoon drive back to Mendoza.

Free evening.

Morning transfer to the airport (25 min).

International flight to Santiago de Chile (1 hour).

Arrival at Santiago's international airport.

Meet and greet with your local host, transfer to your hotel (25 min) and assistance with check in.

Free afternoon.

Free evening.

Visit the Chilean capital, the cultural, human and economic heart of the country. Drive and stop past the city's historical landmarks: the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Palace of La Moneda, the Civic Center, the Palace of Justice, the San Francisco Church and Santa Lucia Hill where the first stones of the city were laid in 1541. From the top of Mount Cristobal, unrivaled scenic views of the city will open before your eyes.
Once your city tour concluded you will head to the Maipo Valley, for a stop at the Santa Rita Vineyard.

Following the Maipo River, you will get to Chile's oldest wine region, a cultivated area that covers about 14,600 acres (5,910 hectares). The Maipo valley crosses the country from the Andean Cordillera to the Pacific Ocean, with an average altitude of 3,300 feet (1,000 m) in the east, and 1,650 feet (500 m) in the west. This gradient creates the perfect environment for different varieties of grapes to grow. Benefiting from a Mediterranean climate, with a dry summer from December to March and an average rainfall of 13 inches (330 mm), the area is a unique opportunity to experience Chile’s cultural heritage and winemaking traditions.
Located in the foothills of Alto Jahuel outside the small town of Buin, only 45 minutes South of Santiago, Santa Rita vineyard is set against an idyllic natural backdrop, where winemaking traditions, Chilean history, culture, and cuisine meet.

Free evening.

In the morning, drive to the Montes Alpha vineyard for wine tasting:
A journey through these beautiful vineyards with stunning views of the Valley, enjoy your visit of this mythical winery where Premium and Ultra-Premium wines are vinified: Montes Alpha, Montes Alpha M, Montes Folly and Purple Angel and the unique experience of a stop in the Barrel Room, where the finest wines are aged to the sound of Gregorian Chants.

In the afternoon, visit the Viu Manent vineyard, for another unique winetasting experience:
Climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage for a great experience! Your guide will take you on a carriage ride through the Viu Manent vineyard. The tour includes a visit of the historic Malbec Hall, the varietal garden, a stop at the wine cellar with a tasting of wines in the making, some time to browse the wine shop and Handcraft Emporium and a premium tasting of 5 different wines from the Reserva, Gran Reserva, Secreto y Single Vineyard.

Free evening.

Enjoy the morning scenic route to the Matetic vineyard in the San Antonio Valley.
With the great Pacific Ocean only a stone's throw away, this fairly new vineyard benefits from the cool sea breezes that create a unique environment to produce wines with a good balance between acidity and alcohol. The difficulty grape-growing conditions are rewarded by fine and mineral white wines and spicy reds.

The Matetic Vineyard is greatly responsible for the newly-acquired famed of the San Antonio Valley among the wine-growing regions of South America. Only 13 miles (20 km) from the Pacific coast, the Estate planted its first vines in 1999. Expanding over an ever-growing area, Matetic currently grows Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec on a mostly clay soil. The vines are all northwest-facing, exposed to afternoon sun and sea breezes.
Remember that San Antonio, like the neighboring Casablanca, 30 minutes north, is a cold valley, with occasional frosts and great differences between day and night temperatures.

After breakfast at La Casona, enjoy a tour of the wine cellar with wine tasting.
You will then take the 30-minute scenic route to the Casablanca Valley, another wine-growing area characterized by its large production of Chardonnay where you will stop at the Casas Del Bosque vineyards.

In recent years, the valley has seen great changes, with a wine-growing area reaching an outstanding 3,940 acres (1,593 hectares) covering the rolling hills overlooking the Pacific 1,300 feet above sea level. The sea breezes regulate temperatures year-round, averaging 77°F (25°C) in summer and 57°F (14°C) the rest of the year. The annual rainfall is 450 mm, the months of November to April are considered the driest.

The 580 acres (235 hectares) on the Casas del Bosque vineyard are dedicated exclusively to growing colder climate grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Syrah on a perfect soil made of volcanic red clay composites sitting on top of decomposed granite layers formed 110 million years at the bottom of the Pacific. The soil there gives wines their unique characteristic sea salt flavor.

Transfer to your hotel in the charming city-port of Valparaiso.

Free evening.

Take the scenic route back to Santiago via the Aconcagua Valley.
First stop at the Von Siebenthal Estate for your first winetasting of the day.
Viña von Siebenthal's four main vineyards are located within the historical wine-growing area of Panquehue, in the Aconcagua Valley. This is a very small sub-appellation of the Aconcagua Valley in Chile and one of the most exclusive and prestigious areas in Chile for the production of red and white Bordeaux blends. The are is semi desertic halfway between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean with a cimate that provides perfect Phyto-sanitary conditions for grape growing. Through careful study of soil and sunlight exposure, grapes were picked and planted in the most suitable areas: Merlot and Cabernet Franc can be found in the cool clay-limestone soil of the plains, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenère and Petit Verdot thrive in the warm sandy, stony soil of the hills.

In the afternoon, drive to the San Esteban vineyard for another winetasting. Located in central Chile by the mountainous, eastern edge of the Aconcagua Valley, the Estate produces one-of-a-kind wines thanks to the unique geography and climate, combined with the dedicated work of the wine-growers.

After your winery tour, drive back to Santiago.

Free evening.

At the indicated time, transfer to Santiago's international airport (25 min).

Check-in and assistance.