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5-Star Sips of Argentina with a Master of Wine

Premier Tours & Travel is headed to Argentina with Master of Wine Sarah Jane Evans, Co-Chair of Decanter World Wine Awards. You won’t want to miss experiencing this exclusive, bespoke, expertly hosted tour. We will lead you on Argentinean wine, culinary, and cultural adventures throughout Buenos Aires and Mendoza, including hand-selected, renown wineries in the Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valleys. Discover key grape varieties, such as Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Semillon, and Torrontés, and learn first-hand about some of the most-prominent names in Argentinean wines, including Zuccardi, Vigil, Catena, and Balbo. Hand-selected luxury accommodations will make this truly a Premier experience.  

November 4-11, 2023 (departing USA November 3)*
From $8,110 per person; Double Occupancy; Based on a minimum of 14 guests; Includes Domestic Argentina Flight ($200 Airline Credit); $1000 deposit. Optional Extensions Available

March 9-16, 2024 (departing USA March 8, 2024)
November 9-16, 2024 (Departing USA November 8, 2024)

From $8,310 per person; Double Occupancy; Based on a minimum of 14 guests; Includes Domestic Argentina Flight ($200 Airline Credit); $1000 deposit. Optional Extensions Available.


HIGHLIGHTS OF BUENOS AIRES (1 NIGHT) 

Depart the United States on an overnight flight (preferred arrival for group transfer will be by 8:30 AM).

Day 1, Buenos Aires:

After an overnight flight, you will touch down in Buenos Aires — often referred to as the Paris of South America — where Premier Tours & Travel representatives will personally meet you and escort you to your private transportation.

The name, Buenos Aires, literally means "good airs" in Spanish. It is one of the largest cities in Latin America, with a wide range of cultural offers and stunning sights. Being the capital of the country makes it the starting point for most of the Argentinean experiences. Let yourself be seduced by its busy and beautiful streets full of Tango and football passion, a unique mixture that turns your stay into an exceptional urban adventure.

Enjoy a panoramic, guided visit in the southern barrios (neighborhoods) of Buenos Aires, such as Plaza de Mayo, the Pink House, the Cabildo, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza San Martín, Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Puerto Madero, San Telmo, Plaza Dorrego, La Boca, and Caminito Street.

Following the tour, enjoy an introduction to Argentinean cuisine with lunch at a stylish yet traditional brasserie that has become a classic with true porteño style. Check into your nearby hotel one-night in the 5-star luxury of Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires (or similar).  The balance of your day will be at leisure.

Highlights of Uco Valley, Mendoza (3 Nights)

Day 2, Buenos Aires Uco Valley, Mendoza 

The group will depart from the hotel this morning for the flight to Mendoza. After a brief flight from Buenos Aires, touch down in the beautiful city of Mendoza — one of nine cities worldwide in the network of Great Capitals of Wine.

*Domestic (Argentina) airfare is non-changeable, nonrefundable. For the domestic flight, one checked luggage (33 pounds) per person plus a carry-on item per person is allowed. If your luggage exceeds 33 pounds, it will be your responsibility to pay the excess baggage fees (e.g., a 50-pound bag will incur a fee of $18 each way).

Your introduction into Mendoza will be a wine tasting at a nearby hand-selected vineyardEnjoy a guided tour, taste their wines, and learn about winemaking techniques of winemaker. Enjoy hand-selected tapas for lunch during the tasting.

Following the tasting, depart for your custom-curated accommodations in the Uco Valley for the following three nights.

After checking in, reconnect with the group for a bespoke, custom-curated dinner with wine pairings with your Expert Host, Sarah Jane Evans.

Day 3 Uco Valley, Mendoza:

Daily breakfast included.

Stay in the Uco Valley to explore this beautiful region by way of a visit and wine tasting at acclaimed Zuccardi Valle de Uco’s Piedra Infinita Vineyard, famed for its 100-point wine. This impressive, all-concrete winery is renowned for its pure, elegant wines from the unique soils of the locality. It’s the sister winery to the Zuccardi family winery in Mendoza, a project by the next generation, and has won international acclaim. Enjoy a delicious leisurely lunch with wine pairings, which will showcase their dedication to the highest quality wine and food.

Return late afternoon to the hotel for the balance of your day at leisure.

Day 4 Uco Valley, Mendoza:

Take the morning to relax and enjoy the amenities of the property today. Following lunch at leisure, Master of Wine Sarah Jane Evans will lead you through a tour and tasting at the boutique Alfa Cruz Winery in El Cepillo, the heart of the Uco Valley, almost 1,200 meters above sea level with the Andes as backdrop. The great thermal amplitude, the scarcity of rain and the richness of the soil generate a style and identity for which their wines are known.

Visi The Vines Resort & Spa for an exclusive wine tasting collaboration with Expert Host Sarah Jane Evans and Maryana Onofri, the Director of Wines and Sommelier at The Vines, followed by a three-course dinner with wine selected by your hosts along with a view of the Andes mountains.

Highlights of Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza (2 Nights)

Day 5 Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza:

This morning following check-out, transfer from the Uco Valley to the Luján de Cuyo Valley for a visit to two additional crown jewels of Mendoza vineyards: Catena Zapata Winery and Casa Vigil El Enemigo — listed as #7 and #24, respectively, in the World’s Best Vineyards. Visit Bodega Catena Zapata for a tour and tasting of its exceptional wines — Catena offers a very thorough (and highly sought after) experience that is three hours duration. This experience will be followed by lunch with wine at Casa Vigil El Enemigo.

Following lunch, check into your boutique accommodations in the Luján de Cuyo Valley for two nights. The balance of your day is at leisure to immerse yourself into the amenities of the property.

Day 6 Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza: 

Enjoy a morning at leisure in the spa or take the opportunity for a visit to the nearby shops and art galleries this morning (transportation provided). This afternoon connect with the group for a visit to Susana Balbo Winery — home of the first female eonologist and winemaker in Argentina, the “Queen of Torrontés,” and over 20 wines scoring 90+ points by numerous critics, including The Wine Advocate. Your Expert Host’s personal relationship with Susana Balbo will position you for an exclusive, one-of-a-kind opportunity at her vineyard where you will discover Torrontes. Under expert tutelage, enjoy a custom blending experience like no other. Be a winemaker for a day, combining different grapes under her guidance to make your own, unique wine, with your hallmark all over it. 

This exceptional experience will be followed by a gourmet, six-step paired dinner at Matias Riccitelli Winery, producing some of the most exciting wines in Argentina today. Return to our accommodations for the balance of your day at leisure.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BUENOS AIRES (1 NIGHT) 

Day 7 Mendoza — Buenos Aires

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport to return to Buenos Aires today. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel for your final night in Buenos Aires at Palacio Duhau (or similar)Reconnect with the group tonight to enjoy a quintessential Argentinean Tango show and dinner at one of the best cafes in Buenos Aires — Rojo Tango (or similar).

Day 8 Buenos Aires — United States:

On your final day in Buenos Aires, enjoy a panoramic, guided visit in the northern barrios (neighborhoods) of Buenos Aires, including Palermo and La Recoleta. Palermo is the largest barrio best known for its large parks designed by celebrated landscape architects, such as the illustrious Charles Thays. Visit La Recoleta well-known for its historical and architectural significant due to its Beaux-Arts architecture. Admire the celebrated Recoleta Cemetery, a true labyrinth of ornate mausoleums, and make a stop at Eva Peron’s grave, one of the country’s most recognizable icons.

As a special treat, enjoy a final lunch experiencing authentic Argentinean pizza at one of the oldest pizzerias before transferring to the airport for your evening flight back to the United States.

Say Adios to Buenos Aires and Argentina this evening. We hope you have enjoyed this incredible cultural, wine, and culinary experience with Premier Tours & Travel.

Optional Pre- and Post-Tour in Buenos Aires
We would be happy to arrange a pre- or post-tour extension in Buenos Aires upon request.

Optional 2-3 Night Extension Post-Tour to Iguazú Falls, Argentina or Santiago, Chile
We would be happy to arrange a post-tour extension to the Iguazu Falls or to Santiago, Chile upon request.

Premier Experiences, Premier Advantages

 

  • Master of Wine and Expert Host
  • English-speaking Premier representatives
  • Domestic Argentina Flight Credit ($200 Coach)
  • Airport meet and greet
  • Private transfers
  • Carefully curated accommodations
  • Full breakfast daily; lunches and dinners as noted
  • Hand-selected renowned winery tours and tastings in the valleys such as Lujan de Cuyo and Uco 
  • City tours and Tango experience
  • Internet (where available)
  • 24/7 Premier support

 

About Sarah Jane Evans

Became an MW: 2006

Based in: United Kingdom

Nationality: British

Languages: English, French, Spanish

Sarah Jane Evans is an award-winning wine writer and journalist, Co-Chairman of the Decanter World Wine Awards, and a former Chairman of the IMW (2014-16). Winner of the Robert Mondavi Winery Award for the highest overall marks in the Theory exam. As a writer and consultant one of her special interests is Spain and Sherry. She is Chairman of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino. She is a certified Sherry educator; and has received the awards of Dama de Albariño and Dama de Solear. Her books on Spain include 'Seville', and 'The Wines of Northern Spain'. She is currently writing 'The Wines of Central and Southern Spain'. Her other interests include the wines of South and North America; Greece; and the great fortified and sweet wines of the world. She studied Classics, and Social & Political Sciences at Cambridge University. She began her career in book publishing, and today is a Trustee of the André Simon Book Award, and a Series Editor of the Classic Wine Library. She spent a decade as Associate Editor of the BBC's Good Food magazine, and has a strong interest in taste and flavour, and in encouraging consumers to build their own confidence in tasting. She's a Founder Member of the Academy of Chocolate and the author of 'Chocolate Unwrapped'. Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Broderers.

Primary area(s) of work: Communication

Industry sector(s): Author, Broadcasting, Consultant, Educator, Events, Journalism, Marketing, Wine judge, Wine tourism

Wine styles: Cava, Champagne, English sparkling wines, Fortified wines, Madeira, Natural, Orange wines, Port, Prosecco, Sherry, Sparkling wine, Still red, Still rosé, Still white, Still wines, Sweet wines, VDN

Wine region expertise: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Canada, Champagne, Chile, France, Galicia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary Tokaj, Jerez, Lebanon, Loire, Marlborough, Mendoza, Navarra, New Zealand, Penedes, Portugal, Priorat, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, South Africa, South America, Spain, UK, USA, Valencia, Western Cape

Market expertise: Europe, South America, Spain, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Production of fortified wines, Packing and labelling, Branding, Broadcasting, Direct to consumer, Events, Food and wine pairing, History of wine, HORECA, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Independent retail, Marketing wine, Restaurant wines, Routes to market, Wine tourism, Wine judging