Mendoza Wineries ~ Salentein

The origins of Salentein are with the Jesuits who starting wine making in the Uco Valley in the 17th century. Today the large Dutch company, Salentein, owns 2000 hectares in Mendoza of which 700 are planted to grapes, with 80% being red.




At an average elevation of 1200 metres these vineyards are among the highest in the world, providing intense sunlight during the day and dramatically cooler nights. The vineyards are fed with water from the snows of the Andes.












But first, lunch on the patio, with several wines of course.

Our tour guide was a young American from Nevada who arrived in Argentina eight years ago and never left. This winery's cellar has a capacity for 5000 barrels kept at a constant 12 degrees and 80 per cent humidity. This cellar, like O. Fournier's, has a profound spiritual quality and the Southern Cross image returns.

Visit their website at www.bodegasalentein.com

And then... we are on the road again, heading back to our posada in Maipu, where we will say goodbye to our driver, Walter Nievas.




Walter is operator of MDZ Transfer. Friendly, helpful and a great driver, Walter can arrange various tours and excursions for any trip to the Mendoza region; a wonderful person to contact for all your logistics needs and thoroughly professional. He can be reached at mdztransfer@yahoo.com.ar