The art of winemaking in Mendoza

Up to this point it is well known that Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina. Many bodegas are settled here, among the Andes and below the gentle flight of condors. But not all of them have such a distinguished and special collection of wines as Bodega Tapiz.

What is so unique about Bodega Tapiz? Its many and different vineyards are located at different altitudes ranging from 30 to 920 to 1400 meters above sea level, either embraced by the Andes mountain range or receiving the breeze of the Atlantic Ocean, creating a bio-climate that makes these places different to the rest of the wine world.

Even though it is possible to stay and have a meal at Club Tapiz Hotel & Resto, today we will just show you a glimpse of this amazing complex visiting the famous winery and tasting its products.

Only twenty minutes away from downtown Mendoza, you will find the estate surrounded by 15 hectares of vineyards and olive trees. Against the Andes and in the middle of one of Tapiz’s premium vineyards, there´s the main building for Club Tapiz Hotel & Resto. Right next to it, a traditional winery from the early 20s, with large casks of French oak and vintage aromas.

If the weather allows it, you will be able to jump on a carriage for a ride around the vineyards, watching the llamas that are bred here. During harvest time, these nice camelids are kept further away, so depending on the time of the visit, they might no be visible. The ride will allow you to enjoy this singular grapevine and terroir in the region of Cuyo, appreciating the always present Andes in the background.   

Then, you will have an exquisite wine tasting guided by the winery experts. Visiting the cellar, you will try bottled wines and also the ones that are still in tanks. This experience not only focuses on the history of Tapiz but also on the historic and geographic context. The objective is for the visitors to learn a bit of enology and to understand why some regions are so distinguished as wine producers.

Particularly in Tapiz, due to the bio-climate, the grapes in the different locations find a perfect combination of soil, climate, optimal solar radiation and good thermal amplitude in the summer. Along with an adequate irrigation management, Tapiz produces grapes with great potential, structure and excellent quality in each varietal.

At last, if time is enough, after the wine tasting you may also visit the organic olive oil factory and have a taste.

In the winery’s own words, a complete experience in the art of winemaking!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Includes carriage ride, visit to the cellar and wine tasting, olive oil tasting if there’s enough time.
  • Transfers, meals or accommodation are not included.
  • Experience only for 18+ pax
  • Operates: Monday to Friday at 10 & 11:30 am, 2 & 3:30 pm – Saturday and holidays at 10 & 11:30 am.
  • Advanced reservation is required.

 

Stay connected on your trip to Argentina

Whether it is to share pictures on social media or to keep in touch with your people back home, we have the solution for you.

We know how important it is to stay connected when you travel. That is why now we offer a new service: local line and wireless internet on your mobile phone.

We are currently offering two different alternatives: travellers using unlocked cell phones can chose to have a sim card with a data plan to use and travellers with locked phones or not willing to change sim cards, can use a portable wifi router to stay connected.

Once in our country, you will receive the sim card or portable router at your hotel, along with other important information regarding your trip. All set, you‘re ready to share your trip with your loved ones back home!

Let your Kallpa Executive know that you wish to acquire either of these services for your trip. According to your trip and the length of your stay in Argentina, we will recommend the best option for you.

GENERAL INFORMATION

About the SIM Card:

  • The sim card only works on unlocked mobile phones.
  • The service includes up to 9 GB of mobile data (depending on the chosen plan) for 30 days from the activation day.
  • The sim card is disposable after its use in Argentina.

About the Portable WIFI Router:

  • Cost is per day of usage.
  • It can be used in all South American countries. Coverage must be detailed at the moment of booking.

 

Northern Carnival, an eccentric celebration

One of the most beautiful popular festivities in the Northwest welcomes visitors from everywhere into a cultural experience of rituals and tradition.

Every year between February and March, Roman Catholic countries around the world celebrate carnival before the liturgical season of Lent. But there’s no carnival celebration like the one in Humahuaca Gorge in Jujuy. A colorful, noisy and joyful mix between the Spanish conquistadors inherited traditions and the Pachamama (Mother Earth) rituals of our northern native people.

Courtesy Secretaría de Turismo de Jujuy

The celebration begins the weekend before Carnival. Troupes from the surrounding towns arrive in Tilcara for the “devil’s” disinterment: a small doll (pucllay) in the shape of the devil that symbolizes the sun, responsible of fertilizing the soil (Pachamama). Then, the troupes and its musicians and dancers in colorful and bright costumes begin the parade through the streets, marching and dancing to the rhythm of traditional music. People gather and join to celebrate, dancing and drinking until sunrise.

After a week of rejoice, on Carnival Sunday celebrations end with the devil’s burial at the same place where all began. Until next year, the devil will rest under ground along with alcohol, coca leaves and cigarettes as offerings for the Pachamama.

Courtesy Secretaría de Turismo de Jujuy

An event where religious faith and paganism merge. Popular rituals and myths, fireworks and costumes, dancing and drinking, music and tradition. Anything goes for a week of fun and eccentric celebration; an unforgettable cultural experience.

If you’re planning a trip to Argentina’s Northwest, we recommend visiting Humahuaca Gorge in Carnival. Contact a Kallpa Executive for next year’s date!

 

Enjoy the city like a real porteño

In Buenos Aires, we would like to tell you about an original tour that combines electric bikes, mate and tango. Sounds good, right?

As always, in Kallpa we look for and offer original and sustainable experiences that focus on culture and local traditions. That’s how we found Martin and Laura, with whom we share the same ideals and passion for traveling.

On a Sunday afternoon, we met at Recoleta Cultural Center. This spot itself is an attraction, given that we find the famous cemetery and that lots of people are strolling across the park and taking a look at the typical craft fair.

We mount the e-bikes and the tour starts. Without effort, we wander through Recoleta and Palermo neighborhoods and enjoy the city like a real porteño! As we ride, through intercoms we hear the guide telling us the city’s secrets and local traditions.

First, riding across Recoleta we can see French style palaces. Along Figueroa Alcorta Avenue we pass by the Buenos Aires University’s Law School; a monumental architecture building from the 1940’s. Right next, the famous Floralis Generica, a metal sculpture of a huge flower on the United Nations Park, made by the Argentinian architect Eduardo Catalano.

Following Recoleta, we move towards the Bosques de Palermo – Palermo Woods – and its great green parks. We pass by the Japanese Garden, the Palermo Horse Racetrack, the Argentinian Polo Field and the famous Rosedal. Then, we make a stop at the woods to taste and share some mate and pastries, like many locals do here on the weekends, as a traditional friendly and family ritual.

At last, back on the bikes we ride towards Palermo Soho, a trendy and bohemian area of this neighborhood, to visit one of the main milongas in the city. Milongas are the traditional places where locals attend to dance and listen to tango.

Here, a tango expert joins us. Thanks to his expertise, we learn about this intense and passionate dance history, codes and the milonga dynamics. Finally, a live orchestra entertains us with a dazzling tango performance following an instructor that teaches us some steps to introduce us to this dance.

This is the end of this original, fun and enriching experience, but if you want, you can stay and enjoy the milonga to keep on practising your steps until 4 am.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Operation: Sunday at 3:30 pm
  • Duration: 6 hs
  • Languages: Spanish & English
  • Meeting point: Across Recoleta Cultural Center, next to Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church.
  • Ending point: Armenian Center, Palermo
  • Min. 2 pax – Max. 6 pax
  • Min age is 16 and max is 60
  • Highlights: Recoleta – Palermo Horse Track and Argentinian Polo Field – Rosedal and Bosques de Palermo – Palermo Soho – Milonga.
  • Included: Electric bicycle with intercom – Bicycle tour guide – Insurance – Snack (pastries) & Mate – Water – Entrance ticket for the milonga – Tango guide – Live orchestra show – Tango lesson – One soft drink per person.
  • Not included: Roundtrip transfers – Food and extra drinks – Tips.