Some of Mendoza’s wineries offer their own picnics for visitors. Here are our top three winery picnics:
Sottano
Pretty Lujan winery Sottano offers delightful picnic spreads while sitting on the lawn by the vines. Chequered picnic blankets, leather pillows and a hamper of goodies make for a good afternoon at this family-run boutique vineyard.
Using regional food, chef Nicolas Bedorrou creates some rustic homemade dishes with Mediterranean appeal: juicy sun-dried tomato and goat´s cheese salad, grilled vegetable paninis, chicken wraps, parma ham with homemade bread and earthy olive oil and a typical chocotorta are all washed down well with a bottle of Sottano´s Malbec Rose or another bottle of your choice.
The vineyard also offers smoked meat, cheese, nuts and homemade bread platters for picnics or more hearty lunches and tasting events in its restaurant.
For information contact Diego Marcos Salguero on (261) 405 8335 or 261 15 353 5506, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.bodegasottano.com
For those who really want a treat while picnicing at Sottano, you can pick bodega’s top wine: Judas, so named because it was a special line of Malbec made especially for the three brothers who own the vineyard, however one of the brothers secretly allowed some wine writers to try it and the other two siblings only found out when rave reviews appeared in the international press!
Decero
Decero start up their picnic season in the middle of October when they will be opening their two and a half hectare gardens up to alfresco diners who can sit with their light lunches admiring the vines and mountains while enjoying some of Decero’s lovely red wines.
For information contact 261 524 4747, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.decero.com
Terrazas de Los Andes
Terrazas de los Andes, in Lujan de Cuyo, cater for small picnic groups in their gardens. Here you can sit down to a picnic of fresh meat and vegetable focaccia sandwiches, picking platters, salad and (the argentine staple) empanadas. All this comes with a bottle of Reserva Malbec and mini champagne for dessert. Terrazas is the fine wine arm of Chandon and located in a splendid historical winery with a stunning tasting area and barrel room. Whilst there, make sure you try the Cheval des Andes blend - a joint venture with the famous French winery Cheval Blanc.
For information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , call 261 488 0058 or visit www.terrazasdelosandes.com
Zuccardi
Familia Zuccardi offered one of the first vineyard picnics in Mendoza. Sitting under the olive trees in their shady garden among the vineyards visitors can enjoy a selection of local deli specialties, homemade bread, cheeses, olive oil made from their own small factory and meat and vegetable sandwiches. Wine and sparking wine from the bodega are also included.
For information visit www.casadelvisitante.com.ar or call 261 441 0000
Ruca Malen
One of the original wineries to do set lunches with wine pairings, Ruca Malen has now spilled out of its glass encased restaurant and onto the lovely lawn for luxurious picnics surrounded by vines and mountains.
For information visit www.bodegarucamalen.com or call 261 562 8357.
Boutique bodega Carinae in Maipu has picnic tables in their garden which are free for visitors use. You may have to bring your own sandwiches but the bodega will happily help you pick a wine to match – indulge yourself and try the Carinae Prestige, a 92-point wine that is turning heads and setting tongues wagging.
For more information call 261 524 1629 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
