Guild Travel Programs

 

The Guild has finalized an agreement with the Wine Institute of Argentina and we are busy planning our first trip to Mendoza on September 23rd (Sunday) through October 7th (Sunday).

We will be visiting wineries, vineyards, even a brewery and a distillery, in the Mendoza area as well as taking an advanced wine course offered by the WIA for the Guild.  We will also get a day in a culinary school to learn about Argentine cuisine.  This is a trip designed for trade professionals (but you don't have to be in the trade to join us) in which we will get to see many aspects of the Argentina wine industry not open to the public.

You will need a passport. Payment will be due 1 month before the trip. Airfare is not included. We are working on a group rate via American airlines, so please stay in touch with us if you are going to make your own airline reservations. As we get closer to the date we will let everyone who is registered know about flight plans and transportation from the airport to the hotel in Mendoza. We are currently looking at flights from Houston to Santiago (Chile) and on to Mendoza. There is a $35 entry fee in Chile that is not covered in your trip fee.

Tentative schedule for Argentina trip:

Sunday – September 23

• Arrive in Mendoza – transportation to hotel

Monday – September 24

• Class: 9am – Introduction to Argentine wine history
• Welcome lunch at Bodega Cecchin and a visit to the winery and its organic vineyards

Tuesday – September 25

• Visit to Bodega Trapiche
• Visit to Bodega Di Tommaso
• Class: Viticulture, common training systems, finished wines, irrigation management and systems

Wednesday – September 26

• Visit to Bodega Belasco de Baquedano
• Visit to Bodega Rucan Malen with lunch at the winery
• Class: Grape cycles and cultivation practices in the vineyard

Thursday – September 27

• Visit to Bodega Rutini Wines
• Visit to Bodega Familia Zuccardi with lucn at the winery
• Class: Elaboration of red and white wines, aging process

Friday – September 28

• Visit to Uco Valley
• Visit Clos de Los 7
• Visit Bodega Salentein with lunch at the winery
• Class: Elaboration of sparking wines, Elaboration influence on wine aroma

Saturday – September 29

• Visit Bodega Séptima
• Visit Bodega Pulenta Estate with lunch at the winery
• Class: Elaboration of special, late harvest and liquor wines

Sunday – September 30

• Day off – leisure time activities

Monday – October 1

• Visit Bodega López
• Visit Bodega Flichman and lunch at the winery
• Class: Argentine viticulture regions, terror, main varietals, vine characteristics

Tuesday – October 2

• Winery visit for harvest, production process and lunch

Wednesday – October 3

• Visit Jerome Brewery
• Lunch on own
• Class: Tasting theory, aroma classification, vine appreciation

Thursday – October 4

• Visit Bodega Tapiz
• Lunch on own
• Class: Tasting concepts, aromatic descriptors for each variety, the use of oak

Friday – October 5

• Lunch on own
• Class: wine and food pairing, Argentine gastronomy, cheese
• Regional food cooking class

Saturday – October 6

• Bike tour and wine
• Lunch on own
• Class: Sommelier service, awarding of diplomas

Sunday – October 7

• Return home

All transportation in Mendoza, accommodations with continental breakfast, lunches where indicated, admission to wineries (and tasting costs), class materials and class wines, tuition and diploma are included in the cost of $2,500 per person.

You are responsible for transportation to and from the US to Mendoza, Argentina as well as all other food and incidentals.  You must have a valid passport.

Register: IWG Member Argentina - September 23rd to October 7th, 2012 $2500

Register: IWG Non-Member Argentina - September 23rd to October 7th, 2012 $2750

 

More Questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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