Now that’s aging!! 
Malbec grapes on the vine. 
Juan, my trusty sidekick. 
You can see drip irrigation lines at the bottom of the vines. 
Tupungato is the main town in the Uco Valley. 
Egg shaped fermenters are sometimes used. 
One of Salenteins barrrel vaults. 
Now this is a concert hall!! (Salentein) 
Beethoven & Bonarda, a marriage made in heaven. 
Century-old concrete fermentation tanks. Still in use. 
Ah, once a hygienist, always a hygienist. 
Temperature controlled storage tanks. About 150,000 liters. 
Some of the cheaper commercial wines are shipped bulk, primarily to the US. The shipping container has a giant plastic bladder. Now that’s wine in a box! 
Note the barrel shaped ceiling. 
Gotta love the name! 
Founded in 1905. 
Liz, describes the subtle notes while tasting. 
Company’s coming – get the big bottles! 
A nice place to stay… if you can afford it.
What great photos. The Salentein winery looked so “grand.” (I was given a warning: Will John kick me out for this pun? Please don’t tell him!) I had to laugh at the shipping container “wine in a box.” I look forward to hearing some tasting notes when you return!
Wow, Liz! That was very interesting, well written and fun to read. I didn’t know any of that about Argentinian wine. You must be having a ball there!
Eva
Hi Liz, Wishing I was with you! How fun and informative. Love the history and the photos. Thanks for sharing. So happy for you and thank God for Jaun!
Very interesting. Will be trying Bonards. Regularly unloaded four of those bag in a boxs a day at work.
Just finished reading your wine adventures. WOW … those storage facilities are incredible. Was that a wall of wine I saw … and the dust … oh the dust .. great way to save on labels. Norton label … love it. Hope you brought home a bottle … even if you emptied it first.
The shades of green in that country reminds me of the emerald isle.
Beethoven and Bonarda … gives a whole new meaning to B&B.
While you were wining in Mendosa, we were whining about the polar vortex. It was only a couple of days but reminded us this is Canada … not Argentina.
Keep the posts coming. Safe travels.
Hey Liz and Juan,
So interesting! And I’m not a wine drinker. Really appreciate the pics from an occupational hygiene view. Dusty bottles, concrete vats, and please share what you played at the concert hall.
Enjoy your stay. Looking forward to hearing more when you return.
Sandra
Yes, the hygiene aspect. Will not even talk about confined space entry inside the fermentation tanks! The picture was taken in a modern winery (Domain Bousquet) that took their worker safety health and safety seriously. The acoustics in the Saletein winery concert hall were amazing with a domed roof over the area. They regularly have classical music concerts there. I did play a bit of Beethoven (Fur Elise). I am almost ready for Carnegie Hall.
Cheers Liz! Thanks for sharing your wine tasting adventure. See you at wine o’clock! Love it!