MENDOZA HARVEST
Wine, Food & the Andes
March 16–23, 2028
Come to Mendoza when the vineyards are alive.
March is harvest season in Argentina’s most celebrated wine country. The vineyards are heavy with fruit, wineries are in full motion, warm days give way to beautiful evenings, and the Uco Valley sits beneath the immense backdrop of the Andes.
This is when we want to be here.
Over seven nights, we’ll experience Mendoza through exceptional wine, memorable food, beautiful hotels and, just as importantly, the people who call this valley home.
We’ll begin in the heart of Mendoza before heading into the Uco Valley, where we’ll spend three nights surrounded by vineyards at the intimate Gimenez Riili wine estate, followed by three nights at spectacular Casa de Uco beneath the Andes.
Along the way, we’ll taste with small producers and internationally recognized wineries, dine at restaurants recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, experience remarkable art and architecture, and spend time with local artisans and craftspeople whose work offers another window into the culture of the Uco Valley.
For us, experiencing a place should go beyond seeing its landscapes and tasting its wines. It should include meeting the people who live there, hearing their stories and understanding what they create. We’re taking extra time to make those connections personally, so that when you join us in 2028, we can introduce you not simply to Mendoza, but to some of the people who make it special.
And just as importantly, we’ve built time into the journey to slow down. There will be afternoons to enjoy the vineyards, relax by the pool, take a bicycle ride, reserve a massage or simply sit with a glass of wine and take in the view.
This isn’t about seeing how many wineries we can fit into a week.
It’s about experiencing Mendoza at its best—and coming home feeling that you know the place a little better than when you arrived.
MEET YOUR HOST - Agustina
There’s a difference between visiting the Uco Valley and experiencing it with someone who calls it home.
Agustina lives here.
Originally from Argentina and with more than two decades of experience in food and beverage and years immersed in Mendoza’s wine and hospitality world, she brings an insider’s understanding of the valley—its wineries, food, culture, history and people.
Agustina hosted with VanArnam Adventures here in March 2027, and we’re thrilled to have her return to host our 2028 journey.
She’ll be with us throughout the week, adding the local perspective, personal connections and little discoveries that can transform a great itinerary into a truly memorable journey.
A YEAR AHEAD — FINDING THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PLACE
Some of the experiences we remember most from traveling begin with a person.
A winemaker who walks us through the vineyard. A chef who shares a family recipe. An artist who opens the door to a workshop and shows us something being made by hand.
We want more of those moments in our journeys.
That’s why Kent will spend time in Mendoza and the Uco Valley in March 2027—a full year before this trip—seeking out local artisans, craftspeople and makers whose work tells another part of the story of this remarkable place.
He’ll visit their workshops, meet them personally, learn about their craft and look for the few relationships that feel right for VanArnam Adventures and our travelers.
We don’t know yet exactly who those people will be.
And that’s intentional.
We aren’t choosing names from a list or building a shopping stop around what is convenient for a tour group. We’re giving ourselves a year to find people creating beautiful and interesting things, hear their stories and build genuine relationships with the makers we ultimately choose to introduce to you.
When we return in March 2028, some of those doors will open again—this time with you.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet the makers, see where and how they work, hear their stories and, if something speaks to you, purchase directly from them.
And if you find a special piece you’d like to bring home—for yourself, your family or a friend—we’re working to make that easy too. For eligible purchases, VanArnam Adventures will have shipping logistics arranged so you won’t need to carry those pieces in your suitcase for the rest of your journey.
It’s a different way of bringing something home from Mendoza.
Not simply a souvenir, but something with a person, a place and a story behind it.
THURSDAY, MARCH 16
Welcome to Mendoza
Our VanArnam Adventures journey begins at the Park Hyatt Mendoza, overlooking Plaza Independencia in the heart of the city.
Arrive at your leisure, settle in and enjoy the afternoon however you’d like. Explore Mendoza, relax at the hotel or simply recover from your travels.
Tonight, Agustina will welcome us and we’ll walk just a few blocks to one of Mendoza’s standout restaurants.
Welcome Dinner at Soberana
We’re beginning this journey with something special.
Soberana is a MICHELIN Guide-selected restaurant in the heart of Mendoza, recognized for its elegant contemporary setting and creative approach to cuisine.
Its kitchen begins with Argentine ingredients and traditions and brings in influences from France, Italy, Spain and beyond. An impressive wine cellar and cocktail program complete the experience.
It’s exactly how we want to begin our week: wonderful food and wine, a beautiful setting and our first evening together with Agustina.
Stay: Park Hyatt Mendoza
Dinner: Soberana
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
From Mendoza to the Uco Valley
After breakfast, we’ll leave the city behind and watch the landscape change as we make our way toward the vineyards and mountains of the Uco Valley.
Our first stop is Andeluna. Set among vineyards beneath the Andes in Gualtallary, Andeluna will be our introduction to the Uco Valley—a beautiful setting for a leisurely wine-country lunch before continuing deeper into the valley.
After lunch, we’ll continue to our home for the next three nights.
Gimenez Riili
This intimate wine estate gives us the opportunity to actually stay among the vineyards rather than simply visit them.
After checking in, we’ll have a short private tour and tasting at Gimenez Riili—an introduction to the winery and family behind the property we’re calling home.
Then the pace slows. Settle into your room, walk through the vineyards, relax by the pool or simply enjoy being in the Uco Valley.
We’ll have a relaxed dinner at Gimenez Riili tonight.
Stay: Gimenez Riili
Experiences: Lunch at Andeluna; private Gimenez Riili tour and tasting
Dinner: Gimenez Riili
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
Small Producers, Big Stories & Seven Fires
Today we’ll explore a more intimate side of the Uco Valley.
Our morning begins at SuperUco, where the experience is as much about the people, vineyards and philosophy behind the wine as what ultimately ends up in the glass.
From there, we’ll continue to Corazón del Sol. Three Great Wine Regions. One Remarkable Story. Corazón del Sol brings an impressive international wine pedigree to its corner of the Uco Valley. Founder Dr. Madaiah Revana’s wine journey connects three extraordinary wine regions. Revana Estate in Napa Valley is known for Cabernet Sauvignon. Alexana Estate in Oregon’s Willamette Valley is known for Pinot Noir. And here in Argentina, Corazón del Sol explores the extraordinary potential of the Uco Valley, including Malbec along with Rhône and Bordeaux varieties. We’ll experience the Argentine chapter of that story with a private winery visit and tasting followed by a light lunch.
Then we’ll return to Gimenez Riili for a few hours of downtime.
Enjoy the property, relax by the pool, walk through the vineyards or simply take a break.
Tonight, we’re going out to Siete Fuegos!
Private transportation takes us to The Vines Resort & Spa for dinner at Francis Mallmann’s Siete Fuegos. Fire is at the center of the evening, showcasing the Argentine cooking techniques that have made Mallmann one of the country’s most recognizable culinary figures.
Stay: Gimenez Riili
Experiences: SuperUco; Corazón del Sol private visit, tasting and light lunch
Dinner: Siete Fuegos
SUNDAY, MARCH 19
Salentein — Wine, Art & the Andes
After a leisurely morning, we’ll travel to Bodegas Salentein for a private winery tour and tasting followed by lunch.
Salentein also gives us something different from our other winery visits: art. We’ll spend time at Killka, Salentein’s cultural and artistic center, which brings together art, wine, architecture and spectacular views toward the Andes.
The late afternoon is completely free to enjoy our final day at the property.
Tonight we’ll stay in for a casual dinner at Gimenez Riili.
Stay: Gimenez Riili
Experiences: Bodegas Salentein private tour and tasting, lunch and Killka
Dinner: Gimenez Riili
MONDAY, MARCH 20
Alfa Crux & Deeper into the Uco Valley
After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to Gimenez Riili and continue deeper into the Uco Valley.
Today’s destination is Alfa Crux. The dramatic winery, architecture, water and surrounding landscape make Alfa Crux a destination in itself. We’ll tour the winery, taste its wines and then sit down for lunch at Crux Cocina. Crux Cocina is recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, giving us another opportunity to experience the connection between Mendoza’s wines, landscape and increasingly exciting culinary scene.
After lunch, we’ll continue to our home for the remainder of the journey.
Casa de Uco - Set among vineyards at the foot of the Andes, Casa de Uco isn’t simply where we’re sleeping for our final three nights. t’s part of the experience. Once we arrive, there is nothing else on the schedule.
Swim. Walk through the vineyards. Borrow one of the resort’s bicycles and explore the estate. Sit outside with a glass of wine. Read. Nap.
For a little extra indulgence, Casa de Uco’s spa offers a selection of massages and treatments available for individual booking and purchase directly through the resort, allowing you to personalize your downtime exactly as you’d like.
We’ll have a relaxed dinner at Casa de Uco tonight.
Stay: Casa de Uco
Experiences: Alfa Crux tour and tasting; lunch at Crux Cocina
Dinner: Casa de Uco
TUESDAY, MARCH 21
Made in the Uco Valley
Today, we’re going beyond the wineries.
We’ll spend part of the day meeting a small number of local artisans, craftspeople and makers personally selected by Kent during his time in the Uco Valley one year earlier.
These won’t simply be places to shop.
We want to step inside workshops, meet the people behind the work, hear their stories and understand how what they create connects to this place. We may meet someone working with leather, textiles, ceramics, silver, wood or another traditional or contemporary craft.
The final artisans will be chosen after Kent spends time here in March 2027 meeting makers personally, seeing their work and finding the relationships that feel right for this journey.
That matters to us.
We want these experiences to come from genuine relationships—not stops selected from a tourism catalog.
And if something speaks to you, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase directly from the person who made it.
Maybe it’s something for your home. Maybe it’s a gift for someone you love. Or maybe it’s simply something you see and immediately know you want to bring home.
Years later, we hope you’ll remember more than where you bought it. You’ll remember where you were, who made it and the story behind it.
Bringing Something Home
We also don’t want you worrying about fitting a special piece into your suitcase.
For purchases that are eligible to be shipped to the United States, VanArnam Adventures will have shipping logistics arranged so that guests who choose to purchase pieces can have them professionally packed and sent home.
Purchases, packing, shipping, customs duties and related costs are personal expenses, but we’ll help make the process easy.
After our artisan visits and lunch, we’ll return to Casa de Uco.
The remainder of your afternoon is intentionally unscheduled.
Enjoy the pool, take a bicycle through the vineyards, go for a walk, relax with a glass of wine or simply do nothing at all. Or choose one of Casa de Uco’s massages or spa treatments, available for individual booking and purchase directly through the resort.
Then, as evening approaches, the creative theme of our day continues in another form.
Claroscuro — Where Wine Meets Art
Claroscuro calls itself a Bodega de Arte—a winery of art—and that description fits. Located in Vista Flores, Claroscuro brings together wine, food, architecture and original Argentine art.
Tonight, we’ll experience Claroscuro with a private VanArnam Adventures evening centered around art, wine and dinner.
After spending part of our day meeting people who create with their hands, it feels like exactly the right place to end the evening.
Private transportation will return us to Casa de Uco after dinner.
Stay: Casa de Uco
Included Experience: Made in the Uco Valley — private artisan visits & lunch
Dinner: Private evening at Claroscuro
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
Zuccardi — Saving Something Special for Last
For our final full day, we’re saving one of Argentina’s most celebrated wine experiences for last. After breakfast at Casa de Uco, we’ll travel to Zuccardi Valle de Uco.
Set in Paraje Altamira beneath the Andes, Zuccardi has become one of the defining names of modern Argentine wine. We’ll tour the winery, taste its wines and then sit down for a long lunch at Piedra Infinita Cocina.
After lunch, we’ll return to Casa de Uco. One Last Afternoon to Do Absolutely Nothing This time is yours. Swim. Ride through the vineyards. Walk the property. Pack. Nap. Sit outside and look at the mountains. Or reserve a spa treatment or massage for individual booking and purchase directly with Casa de Uco.
There is nowhere else we need to be. Until tonight. Our Private Farewell Asado. For our final evening together, we’re not getting back into a vehicle and heading to another restaurant.
Casa de Uco offers an Argentine asado experience among its vineyards, bringing together Argentine beef, vegetables from the garden and wine in a beautiful outdoor setting.
For VanArnam Adventures, we’re planning a private version as our farewell evening.
Imagine the fire going as the sun drops behind the vineyards.
Argentine beef over the flames. Vegetables from the garden. Local wine. The Andes in the distance. After a week of remarkable restaurants and wineries, our final evening is intentionally more elemental.
Stay: Casa de Uco
Experiences: Zuccardi tour and tasting; lunch at Piedra Infinita Cocina
Farewell Dinner: Private vineyard asado
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
Hasta Luego, Mendoza
Enjoy one final breakfast at Casa de Uco.
Today our journey comes to an end, but we want departure to be easy.
Private transportation is included from Casa de Uco to Mendoza Airport.
And if your travels aren’t ending just yet, we’ll happily take you to your hotel or another destination in the Mendoza area instead. Whether you’re flying home or staying a little longer, we’ll get you where you need to go.
TRIP DETAILS
March 16–23, 2028
$6,200 per person, based on double occupancy
$2,000 per person deposit
$1,400 single supplement
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Seven nights of accommodations
Breakfast each morning
All winery visits and tastings described in the itinerary
All lunches and dinners described in the itinerary
Wine served as part of our planned winery and group dining experiences
Private ground transportation throughout the journey beginning at Park Hyatt Mendoza
The Made in the Uco Valley experience on March 21, including all activities described in the itinerary
Private departure transportation from Casa de Uco to Mendoza Airport or to a hotel or other destination in the Mendoza area
Your VanArnam Adventures host, Agustina, throughout the journey
All planning and coordination by VanArnam Adventures
Getting there from Mendoza Airport is easy. The airport is only a short drive from central Mendoza, and taxis and rideshare services are readily available.
Because guests arrive on different flights and schedules—and some may choose to spend additional time in Argentina before joining us—we leave your arrival flexible so you can simply make your way to the Park Hyatt whenever you arrive.
Transportation from the airport to Park Hyatt is not part of the VanArnam Adventures itinerary, but it’s an easy transfer to arrange upon arrival.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare to and from Mendoza
Transportation from Mendoza Airport to Park Hyatt Mendoza at the beginning of the journey
Travel insurance
Personal purchases and expenses
Hotel bar purchases, cocktails or other beverages outside our planned group dining experiences
Room charges and minibar purchases
Spa treatments and massages
Any activities or services not specifically described as included in the itinerary
ACTIVITY LEVEL & PARTICIPATION
This journey is designed to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, but guests should be comfortable with the normal physical demands of international travel. Days may include walking through wineries and vineyards, navigating stairs and uneven surfaces, getting in and out of vans, and spending time outdoors.
Some experiences may involve additional walking or standing, but this is not intended to be a strenuous or highly active trip. Guests should be comfortable walking approximately one to two miles over the course of a day, sometimes on uneven terrain.
If you have questions about whether this trip is a good fit for you, please contact us before booking. We’re happy to talk through the itinerary and what to expect.