Back into the mountains and Tupungato. Today will be a contrast in styles. We started at a winery guest house in the foothills of the Hinjosa Winery. The brands we have from them are the Barricas and Don Silvestre. We also tasted the Hinojosa labeled wines. They are all under $10 and very good values. The group is split as usual as to the favorites, but we all agree that there is something for everyone here.
Lunch is another great BBQ cooked on a unique oven with coals top and bottom. No flipping. Pork ribs, Chorizo and more beef. Just salt for seasoning and the flavor from the wood made an amazing taste in the meat. These guys were growers that evolved into their own label. Like Laird in Napa, from the ground up. After a very mellow horseback ride we headed back toward Mendoza and the Lujan de Cuyo region.
We pull up to a new property that Sebastian wants us to look at for possible import to the U.S. VERY impressive new facility. Gorgeous brick and arched windowed construction with lots of dark wood inside. State of the art equipment. Real estate developer that always had a passion for wine and wanted to do his own thing. They are in their third vintage, the vines are still very young and it seems like the wines don't match the winery at this point. They have all the right toys, but need to learn how to use them. We have empanadas finally and they are fantastic. Corn and beef, along with cheese plate dried fruits, cured meets bread, olives. We leave feeling full, but disappointed in these wines, could have been so much better. Back to the hotel for a couple of beers and to bed early.
