I want a Bodega for Christmas

If anyone wants to get me a present and needs to know what to get, I would like a Bodega in the Mendoza province.

This morning we started our wine tour at 9am. I guess it is never to early to drink wine. Our hotel arranged a tour for us and we were the only 2 on the tour the entire day. We had a huge van, a driver - Paladio, and a guide - Paula. They drove us to Maipu where we went to 4 vineyards. We had to go past the Walmart to get there so if you are ever lost - just go past the Walmart.

First here is what we learned. Mendoza is a desert. They have canals built throughout the city and the vineyards and use melted snow to irrigate the city and the vineyards. Every street has huge trees to provide shade everywhere. It is lovely. So in the vineyards they build series of canals to irrigate the grapes and the olive trees.

The first vineyard was Carinae. It is a small botique vineyard that is owned by a French couple. They started the vineyard a few years ago and it was great. They export Carinae and El Galgo.

The second was Cave de Don Arturo. Their property was gorgeous and their wine caves were pretty cool, but the wine was not as good. Here we met up with the other tour and recognized a bunch of people from our hotel. They were on a budget tour that only went to 2 vineyards. They export and it's called Cave Don Arturo.

The third stop was to La Rural. They are a huge winery with 4 different brands. They also have a wine museum with artifacts about wine making from the very start of the vineyards in South America. Our guide was hot and did a good job of explaining everything. The wine there was also really good. They make Ruffini if you go to Sams or Binnys

Finally we went to lunch - me, Ann and Paula. We went to Familia Zucchari which is one of the biggest vineyards in the country. They make St. Julia brand. Omg, we had the craziest lunch.

First we got white wine and bread and all of the different olive oils they made. Then they brought empanadas - cheese, meat and onion. It was fantastic. Then it was time for the grilled vegetables and salad. Don't worry - the wine was refilled and refilled. Then it was time for the BBQ. We got red wine and meat. The first meat course was 2 types of sausages and this thing... So I thought it was real meat, but it tasted kind of strange. At first I thought it was just fatty, but it wasn't. Paula also really couldn't translate. The waiter then helped us and turns out we were eating some kind organ found near the heart.... yeah...

Then it was time for round 2 of meat. We had steak. It was delicious. And the red wine was flowing. Then he came around and asked us if we wanted round 3 of meat - ribs, chicken and pork (I think). By this point we were stuffed and did not want anymore meat, but these old ladies at the table near us got all 3 rounds...

Finally it was time for the dessert wine and the creme brule and vanilla ice cream. It was so so so good, but seriously it was the biggest lunch ever.

It was a great tour and worth every penny. I have brochures if people want them and everything is so gorgeous. There are vineyards and then the Andes as a backdrop.

Again, I would love a Bodega for Christmas (hint hint)