Cycling and Vintages, Mendoza
In the heart of Mendoza's wine region, a captivating bike tour awaits in the picturesque town of Maipú. Here, traditional winemaking meets innovative techniques, offering a unique gastronomic and cultural experience.
The adventure begins at La Botella, a nearby shop where visitors can enjoy a free wine tasting or three tastings for a small fee of 20 pesos. With a discount card in hand, the tour continues towards Mr Hugo's bike rentals, located in the heart of Maipu. For 70 pesos per day, bike enthusiasts can rent a bike, receive a free bottle of wine, a map, and discount cards for some vineyards.
The day's cycling takes place on a quiet, dusty street lined with trees, leading to Entre Olivos, a small olive oil factory. Here, visitors can sample various olive oils, mustards, aji, olive pastes, homemade jams, chocolates, and a selection of liquors. The owner of Entre Olivos serves generous 'tasters' of two liquor flavours of choice, with the rose liquor tasting like perfume.
Next on the itinerary is a visit to Domiciano, one of the two biggest vineyards in town. A tour and wine tasting cost 50 pesos per person, and the experience includes a visit to the fermentation and storage tanks, the cellar where the prize malbec is aging, and only about two hundred bottles of which are made each year.
The tour then heads outside of town to Maipu for a wine tasting tour. Many bike tours in the region include visits to three wineries plus an olive grove, allowing tastings of wine and olive oil.
Some of the best vineyards to visit include Bodegas López, Bodega Santa Julia de Familia Zuccardi, Domaine Bosquet, Bodega Jean Bousquet, and Bodega la Azul. These vineyards stand out for their traditional wine production, tastings, and scenic vineyard walks. Bodegas López is highly recommended for its comprehensive tours that cover the wine production process from start to bottling, culminating in tastings of exquisite wines.
Bodega Santa Julia de Familia Zuccardi, Domaine Bosquet, Bodega Jean Bousquet, and Bodega la Azul are highlighted for offering wine tastings combined with educational tours led by enologists. Visitors can walk amid vineyards and learn about winemaking while enjoying top regional wines. These vineyards often pair tastings with excellent meals or picnic lunches on the grounds, enhancing the tour experience.
The tour concludes at Trapiche, the largest vineyard in town, resembling a nice estate with manicured grounds and a mansion-like main building. The tour and three tastings at Trapiche cost 50 pesos each. Lunch was had in the garden behind the shop at Entre Olivos, surrounded by olive trees.
For those seeking a relaxed day tour, providers organise half-day tours covering multiple wineries with tastings and olive oil visits integrated, making exploring Maipú by bike a delightful experience. The bus driver should be asked to tell when they reach Mr Hugo's, as it is a central stop on Morón Bruno road.
La Botella offers a variety of wines, including Torrontes, Malbec, Merlot, and an organic Malbec. The store manager also offers homemade wine, which is served in a penguin-shaped china bottle.
So, gear up for a bike tour in Maipú, Argentina, and immerse yourself in the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delectable wines of this wine-loving region.
After experiencing La Botella's free wine tasting, the bike tour ventures towards Mr Hugo's bike rentals, located in the heart of Maipu. Later, travelers can enjoy a relaxed day tour that combines cycling, wine tastings, and visits to olive groves, including a stop at Trapiche, the largest vineyard in town, famous for its beautiful grounds and exquisite wines. This lifestyle adventure in Mendoza's wine region, encompassing sports (biking) and food-and-drink experiences, promises an unforgettable travel experience in Maipú, Argentina.
