TOUR PROPOSAL for the INTERNATIONAL WINE and FOOD SOCIETY

9 or 10 DAYS in CHILE and ARGENTINA 19th February - 28th February 2011

• INDEX
• HOTELS
• TOUR DATES AND OUTLINE
• TOUR DAY BY DAY
• A DAY in URUGUAY
• ITINERARY INCLUSIONS
• ITINERARY EXCLUSIONS
• FINAL COSTS
• TOUR ADMINISTRATION
• TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• TRIP EXTENSIONS
• NEWS UPDATES AND USEFUL INFORMATION

Welcome IWFS Chicago Members this page is specifically dedicated to you and the tour
we are running in February 2011. If we have not addressed everything on this page then
please use the contact page to send us any questions you may have.

FOCUS

Taking in the most important wine regions of Chile and Argentina. The focus is to taste the very best wines of the regions in a relaxed manner emphasising gourmet food and the cuisines of both countries.

Winery Visits will concentrate on tasting, we will tour the winery where it is of interest

This Tour will give you an exceptional level of knowledge of South American Wines.

FLIGHTS

Into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires tends to work best with the ‘One World Alliance’ I.E. American Airlines (AA) and LAN Chile (LAN).

The flight time from Chicago is 13-15 hours depending on your connection.

Most flights out of Buenos Aires that have excellent /quick connections are at night

Into Santiago and out of Buenos Aires tends to work best with the ‘One World Alliance’ I.E. American Airlines (AA) and LAN Chile (LAN).

Flights per person from Santiago to Mendoza and then on to Buenos Aries are 650 US$

We prefer you to look after your international flights.

We will be booking and paying for your South American Internal Flights With Our Airline Partner LAN.

LUNCHES AND DINNERS

Throughout this itinerary we make it absolutely clear where meals are included.

(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

Breakfast is always included without additional cost.

Both the lunches and dinners where indicated will always offer more than 1 glass of wine
per course which will have been selected for their merits with each of the dishes in mind.

SANTIAGO

PLAZA EL BOSQUE PARK

THREE NIGHTS Check in Feb 19th Check out Feb 22nd

A Fantastic Hotel, which offers incredibly spacious rooms, in the upscale neighbourhood of Los Condes … close to many restaurants and services. This is a hotel we have used for many of our groups and it works incredibly well. The rooms have a small kitchen area and the staff is extremely friendly, bilingual and in our experience very well trained. Additional Nights are charged at 170 US$

Plaza el Bosque

MENDOZA

DIPLOMATIC PARK SUITES

THREE NIGHTS Check in Feb 22nd Check out Feb 25th

This is the Brand New 5 Star Hotel in Mendoza and we have recently returned and are very impressed with it and its staff. It offers superb services and a far better experience than the Park Hyatt Hotel. It is located in Central Mendoza and it has incredible views of the Andes and Mendoza City. Spa and pool facilities are offered.

Diplomatic Park Suites

BUENOS AIRES

ALVEAR PALACE

TWO NIGHTS Check in Feb 25th Check out Feb 27th

FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO COME TO URUGUAY

THREE NIGHTS Check in Feb 25th Check out Feb 28th

Additional Nights are charged at 420 US$

Alvear Palace

Please note:

• Twin beds are available on request
• Queen beds are the norm, king size can be requested subject to availability
• A small kitchen is provided in each suite in Santiago

SANTIAGO de CHILE

DAY 1 SATURDAY 19th
ARRIVAL CHECK IN at PLAZA EL BOSQUE PARK
SIGHTSEEING in SANTIAGO
WINE TASTING and WELCOME DINNER

DAY 2 SUNDAY 20th
WINERIES of MAIPO VALLEY
DINNER at PUERTO FUY

DAY 3 MONDAY 21st
WINERIES of CASABLANCA VALLEY

OR The MARKETS of SANTIAGO, FOOD, ARTISAN
And CRAFT and SPECIALIST SHOPPING

TRANSFER to MENDOZA ARGENTINA

DAY 4 TUESDAY 22nd
ARRIVAL CHECK IN at DIPLOMATIC PARK SUITES
MENDOZA URBAN WINE TOUR
DINNER at DECERO WINERY

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY 23rd
WINERIES of LUJAN DE CUYO
DINNER at FRANCIS MALLMANN’S 1884

DAY 6 THURSDAY 24th
WINERIES of UCO VALLEY

OR GOURMET COOKING EXPERIENCE
DINNER at FRANCESCO

DAY 7 FRIDAY 25th
WINERIES of LUJAN DE CUYO
OR MENDOZA ART TOUR
LUNCH at RUCA MALEN

TRANSFER to BUENOS AIRES

ARRIVAL CHECK IN RECOLETA

DAY 8 SATURDAY 26th
FREE DAY in BUENOS AIRES
FAREWELL DINNER

DAY 9 SUNDAY 27th
LATE CHECK OUT FLIGHT BACK TO USA

OR

A DAY of WINE in URUGUAY

DAY 10 MONDAY 28th
LATE CHECK OUT FLIGHT BACK TO USA

TOUR ENDS

DAY 1. SATURDAY 19th - ARRIVAL and SIGHTSEEING and WELCOME DINNER

Arrival in Santiago mid morning to be met at the airport by your guides: Tim Robertson and Karen Gilchrist. Transfer to Plaza El Bosque Park Hotel, located in Los Condes, probably the most upscale neighbourhood in Santiago de Chile and very close to many restaurants and services.

Today we suggest a light lunch at the Hotel, which is included, with wine and soft drinks and it can be taken anytime before we head for our first look at Santiago

2:30 PM - 5:30 PM For those of you who want to we have organised a CITY TOUR of Santiago, where we will immerse you in chilean cultural and we will show you some of the most famous buildings and monuments of this fascinating capital.

7:30 PM We meet you at the hotel lobby and take to our welcome dinner and tasting at Akarana Restaurant. The transfer is only 5 minutes. This is one New Zealand Chef’s dream realized and her creations have made this one of the top events for Gourmet Dinners and Functions. Dell Taylor the Owner and Chef creates her plates fusing Asian Cuisine with New Zealand and Australian Recipes to great success. Just two of the most famous dishes at Akarana are Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage, Parmesan, Toasted Almonds and the Easter Island Seared Yellow Fin Tuna.

Akarana

Before we sit down for dinner we will be holding a guided tasting and introduction to Chilean Wines. 3 Premuim Wines will be shown from the Valleys and Wineries that we will not be visiting. An introductory discussion with one of Chile’s Top Sommeliers and Karen Gilchrist.

WINE TASTING

Wines to be tasted will include:

• A wine from Von Siebental from the Aconcagua Valley Von Siebenthal
• A Wine of Viña Casa Lapostolle. Colchagua Vallety Lapostolle
• A top wine from Montes in the Colchagua Valley Montes

Dinner will consist of a four course-tasting menu with each wine specially selected. The wines we will be tasting will be chosen closer to the time when the menu has been finalized.

Transfer back to your Hotel.

OVERNIGHT AT PLAZA EL BOSQUE PARK

(L) (D)

DAY 2. SUNDAY 20th - MAIPO VALLEY: the HEART of CHILE’S WINE PRODUCTION

Today we are going to drive to one of the original wine production valleys in Chile: the Maipo Valley. This is home to the most famous Cabernet Sauvignons coming from Chile with very few exceptions.

9.30 AM Depart for Viña Perez Cruz.

10:30 AM - 12:00 AM Private tour and premium wine tasting at Viña Perez Cruz. Wine and Spirit Magazine recognised it as “Winery of the Year” in 2008. The architecture is a wonder to behold and the wines are increasingly being recognised as among Chile’s Top Blends. We will taste 3 premium wines.

Perez Cruz

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch at Viña Santa Rita.
After lunch we will briefly wander around the grounds of this Chilean Hacienda. Lunch is
at the Casa Real Restaurant and will show 3 of their reserve wines.

Santa Rita

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Private tour and wine tasting at Viña Almaviva.
This is a joint venture of Lafite Rothschild and Concha y Toro Families. Almaviva was probably the first premium red blend (predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon) made in Chile over 11 years ago. This tasting is often one of the highlights for our clients.

Almaviva Winery

5:30 PM Arrive to your hotel in Santiago

8:00 PM Introductory talk and wine tasting of Chilean Southern Valleys

WINES TO BE TASTED

• Sol De Sol. An incredible chardonnay from one of the most southerly winery in the World. Malleco Valley. Aquitana Winery.
• Miquel Torres’ Conde de Superunda. A huge blended wine from the Curio Valley South of Colchagua.

Tonight we take you to the Restaurant Puerto Fuy in Los Condes. Bringing Sophisticated Chilean Cuisine to Chile’s Capital. Specialising in seafood they have an exquisite menu that marries well with the white wines from Casablanca Valley. (Dinner to be paid for separately)

Puerto Fuy

OVERNIGHT AT PLAZA EL BOSQUE PARK

(B) (L)

DAY 3. MONDAY 21st –CASABLANCA VALLEY WINE TOUR (OPTION 1)

TODAY THE GROUP SPLITS

CASABLANCA VALLEY

The Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys are famous for their cool climate white wines and Pinot Noirs. This valley is just one hours drive out of Santiago.

08:45 AM  Departure from  Santiago

10:00 - 11:00 AM. Premium wine tasting at Viñedos Organicos Emiliana. Leading the field in Chile with Organics. ‘Coyam’ and ‘G’ their premium wines have to be two of the best biodynamic wines coming from South America. It is interesting to show you the vineyard management and we will taste 3 of their wines including ‘Coyam’.  What people often do not realise this is the biodynamic project of Concha Y Toro.

Emiliana

11:30 - 12:30 PM Private tour and premium wine tasting at Viña Matetic.

An exclusive vineyard that makes exceptional wines from 100% organic grapes. The Pinot Noir is impressive as is the Sauvignon Blanc but it’s the Syrah that the Wine critics are in love with.  During the tour you will see a Chilean Hacienda and a modern wine cellar inserted in the natural surroundings with spectacular views of the vineyards.

We have decided to tour the winery on this occasion due to the incredible architecture and the biodynamic philosophy that we know will be interesting for you. Matetic is an enormous property with over 1,500 Hectares; in fact they own the whole of the valley.

Matetic vineyards

1:00 PM. - 2:30 PM. Gourmet lunch with 2 wines at Matetic’s restaurant ‘Equilibrio’. The Chef Matías Bustos is the husband of Paula the Winemaker at Matetic.

3.00 PM   - 5.30 PM Tour and wine tasting Viña Casa Marin.

The only thing I need to tell you is that this Woman is making the best whites and Pinots in the whole of Chile. This tasting and Winery is going to be a highlight for all of you. We will ensure Maria Luz is in attendance for the tasting and visit.

Casa Marin

6:30 PM. Arrive to your hotel in Santiago.

OVERNIGHT IN SANTIAGO

SANTIAGO’S MARKETS and SHOPS (OPTION 2)

Today we have organised a unique local experience exploring the definitive food and craft markets of Santiago, visiting one of the finest streets in Santiago, stopping in fine arts galleries and shops.

10:00 AM Departure from your hotel to visit one the most colorful and interesting food markets in Central Santiago. Karen will be showing you some of the distinctive seafood of Chile and the fruits and vegetables you will have not come across in the USA. Next we move on to the Town of the Dominicos. A traditional town of artisans located just 20 minutes from Santiago, where you will be able to find all kinds of crafts, worked in many materials such as glasses, iron and leather, ceramic, wood, among others. You will be able to find real local crafts such as sculptures, paintings, antiques, metals, jewellery and textiles from real artisans.

11:30 AM Depart for Lunch. We head to the country town of Pirque (20 miles from Santiago) to an organic farm, ecological school and 19th century villa. After lunch, we will take a tour of the farm to see how their goat cheese is made, visit the organic vegetable garden and their beehives.

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Arrive at Santiago de Chile. We are going to visit Alonso de Cordova, a
famous street on which you will find the most upmarket and important Chilean Art
Galleries, Fine International Brands and Boutique Designers.

6:45 PM Arrive to your hotel in Santiago

ASTRID and GASTON
Tonight for your last night in Santiago we are going to take you to the most famous dining room this side of the Andes. (Dinner to be paid for Separately)

Astrid y Gaston

OVERNIGHT AT PLAZA EL BOSQUE PARK

(B) (L)

DAY 4. TUESDAY 22nd – CROSS ANDES and URBAN WINE TOUR in MENDOZA

TRANSFER to SANTIAGO AIRPORT

We will check out and transfer to Santiago’s international airport at 10:30 AM.

FLIGHT ACROSS the ANDES

The airport is only 30 minutes drive from our hotel and we will take the 1 hour flight across the Andes which gives you a breathtaking view from the plane of the snow capped mountains and the highest mountain in the America’s Cerro Aconcagua 6962 metres (22841 ft).

We save an hour due to the time difference and will be transferred and checked into to our new hotel, the Diplomatic Suites by 1:30 PM. The Diplomatic is just 15 minutes drive from the Airport in the Centre of Mendoza.

2:00 PM We head for a late lunch and first part of our Urban Wine Tour.

Rather than spend the rest of the afternoon traveling we have decided to give you an Urban Wine Tour, which will incorporate two wine spaces very close to our hotel. This will enable us to give you a great introduction to the wines of Argentina in a relaxed and informal manner without having to lose the day to more traveling.

First we walk two blocks through one of Mendoza’s beautiful tree line streets to the Winery. This is a wine shop, restaurant and tasting room in the centre of Mendoza. Here we will taste 4 reserve wines and enjoy a tapas style lunch. Tim Robertson will be taking you through the wines and also explaining a few of the difference we are going to encounter in the wines from what we have seen in Chile.

The MENU consists of some of the following dishes:

• Potato tortilla with traditional gazpacho
• Chicken croquettes
• Rolled sucking pig & green tomato chutney
• Pickled chicken
• Lamb croquettes with spiced honey
• Baby goat empanadas
• Ossobuco ragout and semolina wheat gnocchi
• Basque style fish of the day

Winery Mendoza

Our next stop, just 3 blocks away, will be a tasting room located in Mendoza, called The Vines, where we will be doing a Sensory Tasting. It consists in learning about different varietals and their characteristic aromas. This is done with 5 of the very top wines of Argentina and we will be only including wineries that you will not be visiting in the tour.

Vines of Mendoza

8:30 PM Tonight we head out to the vineyard to enjoy dinner at the Winery DECERO.
We have arranged an initial reception at the winery where the Chef, Fernando, will greet
us. He will be talking you through the MENU at each interval. We will enjoy a 6-course
dinner with the Wines of Decero.

Prior to dinner we will also be introducing you to several of the more obscure grape varieties that are important for Argentina: the white Torrontes, the spicy Bonarda and finally the Petit Verdot … a grape variety that is now being planted all over the region and producing excellent examples of this distinct varietal.

Decero

OVERNIGHT AT DIPLOMATIC

(B) (L) (D)

DAY 5. WEDNESDAY 23rd – WINE TOURING the HOME OF MALBEC: LUJAN de CUYO

10:00 AM Departure. We will drive straight to Achaval Ferrer.
We will review the vineyards and then enjoy a barrel tasting that is second to none. The
wines are incredibly concentrated due to their savage pruning leaving only a tiny amount
of fruit on the vines. The winemaker is Roberto Cipresso.

Achaval-Ferrer

12:30 PM Transfer 10 minutes to MELIPAL.

Gourmet lunch with wine pairing at Bodega Melipal.

Lunch will be a relaxing gourmet meal at Bodega Melipal. Each course prepared with their
full range of wines in mind. The bodega is stunning and we can expect to be spending a
wonderful two hours taking in the view of the Andes over a great lunch

Melipal Menu

• Melipal Malbec Rosé
• Melted cheese pie and chilly cream leeks croquettes
• Ikella Malbec y Melipal Malbec
• Roasted red beets mousse and salad with black olives and goat cheese
• Melipal Reserva
• Lamb roll served with roasted potatoes and tomatoes, fresh herbs and spices jus
• Dessert
• Bitter Chocolate terrine, poached pears and vanilla ice cream

Melipal

Very close to Melipal (just 5 minutes drive) is the small Winery of Mendel - Roberto del la Motta with an incredible Linage, his father Raul is a wine legend in Argentina. This is Roberto’s own joint project with the Sielecki family, Annabelle Actually. Mendel, the chief winemaker for Terrazas de los Andes and the famous Cheval des Andes wine. I think the wines are outstanding. They will open the Single Vineyard for you at the tasting only 1500 Bottles made. Also the Semillon is wonderful if you haven’t tried a 100% Variety of this grape this is a must.

Mendel

5:30 PM Transfer Back to the Diplomatic

8:30 PM Transfer to 1884. After two hours to rest and freshen up tonight you will be having dinner in Mendoza’s foremost restaurant. Many of you will be familiar with Francis Mallmann from the cooking shows he has done in the USA.

The dining room of 1884 is really the highlight of any wine tour in the Mendoza Region.
At the bar area we will be tasting two of the top sparkling wines of Argentina, Cruzat Larrain and Rosell Boher. (Paid for)
Classic Argentine fare set in the Beautiful Bodega Escorihuela in the centre of Mendoza. Patagonian lamb dish is its signature dish. Voted one of the top 10 restaurants in the World by the Times of London. (Dinner is to be paid for separately)

1884

We will transfer back from the Restaurant.

OVERNIGHT AT DIPLOMATIC SUITES

(B) (L)

DAY 6. THURSDAY 24 – WINE TOURING of UCO VALLEY (OPTION 1)

TODAY THE GROUP SPLITS

9:30 AM Today we travel 1-hour south to the region of Tupungato named after the mountain in the Andes. This area is also called the Uco Valley and has seen more international investment in the last 15 years than any other wine region in world. The investments are enormous and this is evident in the wine, the architecture and the level of service the bodegas are offering.

Andeluna Winery

10:30 AM Andeluna is Ward Lay’s (PepsiCo) investment in Argentina. The Cabernet Franc is one of the best examples of this varietal in Latin America and the whole place is incredibly tasteful. Easy when money is no object. We will taste the four wines including their Icon Wine Passionado.

Andeluna

12:30 PM We drive just 10 minutes to our next stop ALTUS.
In fact we are not going to look around the winery but we are going to go straight to their beautifully restored adobe restaurant la Tupiña. Here we will be tasting 4 of the reserve wines of the Altus Winery during their lunch menu.
There is plenty of kitchen input and an explanation of each dish. With a beautiful view of the vineyards we can eat outside and often find it is hard to get people to leave this wonderful place.

Menu at Altus:

Hors- d’oeuvres
• Paté de foie terrine with toasted almonds
• Eggplant, thyme and olive oil paté
• Polenta with homemade sausages in tomato sauce
• Bacon rolls filled with chicken and cheese
• Sweet potato pie with cinnamon and sugar
• Cream of zucchini soup with walnuts

Starter
• Petite cannelloni filled with seasonal vegetables

Main Courses
• Baby goat “a la tupiña” and lamb confit
• Accompanied with pureed potatoes and leeks, baked tomatoes, lemon and mint sauce
• Traditional “locro” stew
• Lentil stew with baby pork ribs

Selection of Sorbets

Desserts
• Bitter chocolate terrine with raisins
• Citric salad
• Cream cheese and homemade apricot marmalade ice cream

Altus

3:30 PM Transfer 20 minutes to Pulenta Estate. Like many of the wineries of Mendoza is
relatevely new, starting the production in 2002. Eduardo and Hugo Pulenta are from one
of the most famous names in Argentine Wine. Their wines are excelling everywhere no
more so than the Sauvignon Blancs and the Merlots. Here we will taste 4 of their reserve
wines and is a great close to an amazing day in the Uco Valley.

Pulenta Estate

Please note there are a huge number of wineries in this area we would like to take you to.
E.G. Clos de Siete, O’Fournier, Lurton, Salentein, Antucura, La Celia and Atamisque to
name a few. Considering the distances we have chosen the wineries to keep transfers to a
minimum.

For Dinner please see below

GOURMET COOKING EXPERIENCE (OPTION 2)

Your host the Chef Nicolás Bedorrou will pick you up from the Diplomatic Suites at 10:00 AM. We will transfer 25 minutes to the Divina Marga Estate.

This program has been prepared for those people who want to explore and learn the secrets of Argentine Cuisine. Nicolás, who will be exclusively the chef today, has worked in many of Mendoza’s most famous kitchens and spent sabbaticals in Brazil and the USA.

Nicolás is going to explain some of the traditions and customs of this culinary art, whilst we taste a range of wines. You will learn some of the Argentine grilling techniques and innovative ways to prepare beef, lamb, pork, chicken, rabbit and goat. Also the typical empanadas (making the dough and filling, and how to put it all together) … you will be participating in the cooking process.

This is a day where you will be getting involved and we can say that it is not only a fantastic experience you will take some really useful information back with you and we hope you will have enjoyed a fabulous lunch that you will have had a hand in making. Wines and soft drinking included.

Divina Marga

5:00 PM Transfer back to the Hotel

8:00 PM We head just two blocks on foot to this famous Italian restaurant: Francesco. This restaurant is family run by Italians. They have a delightful garden where we will enjoy an alfresco Italian meal Mendocino style. We will arrange a three-course meal with a selection of wines from. (To be paid for seperatly)

Dominio del Plata Dominio del Plata
Catena Zapata Reserve Malbec Catena Wines
O Fournier, B Crux Blend O Fournier

Francesco Ristorante

OVERNIGHT AT DIPLOMATIC

(B) (L)

DAY 7. FRIDAY 25th - The WINERIES of LUJAN DE CUYO (OPTION 1)

TODAY THE GROUP SPLITS

10:00 AM Carmelo Patti. Just 25 minutes drive away, Carmelo is one of Mendoza’s most endearing figures and his wines have a cult following especially his Cabernets. Aged in the bottles for 4 to 5 years before he considers them ready for the market. Hardly any oak is used and this makes a refreshing change from over oaked wines. We will taste from the tanks and barrels to see the evolution of the wines.

Carmelo is pretty much a one-man winery with his family helping out when he needs help. The Cabernet is such a fresh and fruity wine. It has a nose of the most delicate fruits that represents just moments after you open the bottle and goes on and on. He truly excels in this grape variety.

11:15 AM Transfer to Benegas just 10 minutes away. Julia is our host at one of the oldest and most prestigious names in Mendocino Wines. The winery is in the traditional adobe style and is beautifully restored. We love the wines coming from Benegas. Michael Rolland is the Consultant Wine Maker and it shows in the Wines: the Rose and the Blend are all fantastic wines. They are very proud of their roots and history. We will taste 3 wines here.

Benegas

12:30 PM LUNCH at RUCA MALEN. We find Ruca Malen to meet back with the other
group to enjoy a 5 Course Tasting Menu accompanied by the Wines of Ruca Malen. Please
see below for the menu and wines.

Bodega Ruca Malen

MENDOZA ART TOUR (OPTION 2)

10:00 AM You will be picked up at the hotel and offer you the chance to meet some of Mendoza’s most famous artists.

This ART TOUR will give you access to some of the artists working in their ateliers. The guide who is herself an artist and bi-lingual will allow you to talk to 3 different artists directly to discuss their work and inspirations. The art is of an international standard. This tour includes the private transfer from your hotel, private bilingual guide (Graciela) specializing in art and 2 or 3 separate visits to their ateliers (dependant on time).

Participating Artists include:

Luis Quesada, Zully Bazán, José Bermúdez, Daniel Bernal, Vivian Magis, Alberto Thormann, Miguel Gandolfo, Laura Valdivieso, F. Arcidiácono, Alejandra Civit, Osvaldo Chiavazza, E. Dolengiewich, Fernando Jereb, Lucia Coria, Roberto Rosas, Sergio Roggerone, Jose Marti, Mª C. Dell'Isola, Chalo Tulián, Escoriza.

Closer to the date of travel we will be sending you some examples of the artists’ work by email attachment and then using your feedback we will choose the artists that you most favoured. The tour will finish at approximately 12:00 AM, which will give us plenty of time to meet with the other part of the group who will be waiting for us to have Lunch at Ruca Malen Winery.

For anybody not wishing to take part in either activity we will leave you to enjoy the Centre of Mendoza and give you an overview of things to look out for, shops of interest and local and artisanal crafts. We will pick you up on the way to Ruca Malen for Lunch.

12.30 PM LUNCH at RUCA MALEN

Here we will enjoy a 5-step lunch with accompanied wines.

Wine: YAUQUÉN Chardonnay-Semillón 2006.
Course: Bruschetta with thin slices of eggplant, ricotta cheese and lemon zest.
Pairing: Highlights the freshness of this wine with the acidity from the ricotta and the citric flavors.

Wine: YAUQUÉN Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.
Course: Roasted pumpkin soup with rosemary and sun dry tomatoes.
Pairing: The species harmonizes with the cabernet sauvignon while the sun-dried tomatoes allow the malbec to be highlighted.

Wine: RUCA MALEN Malbec 2004. 85 % Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot.
Course: Cream cheese and wild thyme custard, lentils salad and sweet garlic cookie.
Paring: The cheese reminds us of the malolactic fermentation and the sweet flavor accompanies the sweet tannins of the malbec.

Wine: KINIEN Cabernet Sauvignon 2003. 90 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec.
Course: Roasted beef tenderloin served with black pepper butter, olive oil and roasted peppers.
Pairing: The juiciness of prime Argentinean beef couples with the Cabernet Sauvignon so harmoniously.

DESERT
Quinoa, Crust and roasted apple cake with caramel sauce.

Ruca Malen

At 3:30 PM we will transfer to Mendoza’s Airport just 30 minutes drive away. We will have your luggage in separate transport.

This is a domestic flight to Buenos Aires and the flight time is a little under 2 hours.

ARRIVAL in BUENOS AIRES - TRANSFER to HOTEL

This 4:50 PM flight operated by LAN Argentina lands in the middle of Buenos Aires at‘Aereoparque’ and the transfer to our Hotel in Recoleta will take no longer than 15 minutes. We can expect to be checked in to the Hotel at 7:30 PM latest.

Tonight we have decided to leave you free for the evening. Tim Robertson will be there for you to advise on nearby cafes and restaurants that we use, but we know from experience you will probably just want a light meal after the late and long lunch you will have enjoyed at Ruca Malen.

Being Saturday night we are certainly open to offering you any number of cultural events, which could include some of your interest, tango being an obvious example. Transport arrangements can be made should there be interest in taking in some tango.

Confiteria Ideal is one of the places where we have taken our clients before and they have loved the experience.

Confiteria Ideal

We also go to Café Tortoni that has a great show but finish a lot earlier than Ideal. Closer to the time we will be checking on tango events in and around the city.

Cafe Tortoni

OVERNIGHT IN BUENOS AIRES

(B) (L)

This is a domestic flight to Buenos Aires and the flight time is a little under 2 hours.

ARRIVAL in BUENOS AIRES - TRANSFER to HOTEL

DAY 8. SATURDAY 26th – SIGHTSEEING in BUENOS AIRES & FAREWELL DINNER

Today we are going to leave you to sightsee on your own, as part of your itinerary we will be providing you with comprehensive guides of the both Santiago and Buenos Aires, both the main points of interests and museums, restaurants and cafes.

With your hotel so well placed to visit the Recoleta Cemetery and the Museum of Bellas Artes all just minutes walk from your Hotel, we will provide you with some walking circuits which take two and four hours.

FAREWELL DINNER

We had originally planned on using the restaurant in the Alvear Hotel 'La Bourgogne'. We have decided to change the venue and will be exploring the different options. The Commitee have given permission for this alteration. The change is mainly due to the extremely high costs and inflexibility that the resturant have shown in letting us bring our own wines and hold a pre dinner tasting. Please rest assured we will be proposing a dinner of the same standard and excellence. We will try to keep the venue as close to the hotel as possible.

OVERNIGHT IN BUENOS AIRES

(B) (D)

(Please note we would not recommend people flying this evening as well as participating
in the farewell dinner)

DAY 9. SUNDAY 27th - LATE CHECK OUT and FLIGHT BACK to USA (OPTION 1)

TODAY THE GROUP SPLITS

As previously discussed flights back to Chicago with the shortest connection times leave late in the evening. With this in mind we have arranged a late check out subject to availability with the Hotel decided upon, which means you will not have to vacate the room at 6:00 PM.

Once we know the Airlines schedules for the 2011 in February we may well find that this final day in Buenos Aires is not necessary, but in our experience after such a full and involving trip this could be an ideal way to finish it. Members of the group can finish up any last minute shopping or visit any other attractions that they have not had to time to see.

Transfer to the International Airport Pistarini more commonly known as Ezeiza takes 1 hour and all international flights are requesting you to arrive at the airport to check in at least 2 hours prior to flight departure.

Tour Ends

A DAY in URUGUAY (Option 2)

We have an earlier start today leaving the hotel at 7:45 AM taking the Buquebus Hydrofoil to Colonia del Sacramento. We take the Hydrofoil First Class from the Port, which is just a 10 minutes journey from your hotel. We will catch the 8:30 AM fast boat and be walking about Colonia’s cobbled Portuguese streets by 10:30 AM (Uruguay is one hour ahead of Argentina). Colonia del Sacramento is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is truly worth an hour wandering around the historic centre.

After visiting Colonia we will drive to visit Los Cerros de San Juan Winery where we will have a traditional Uruguayan lunch Asado (included) and a full tour of this beautiful and old winery on the banks of the Rio de la Plata.

This winery had the first temperature-controlled tanks in Latin America. A system was installed which pumped cold water though the tanks via pipes and this was done by peddle power (a specially adjusted bicycle provided the power to the pump cool water). Fascinating! The winery is incredibly picturesque. The wines to try are essentially the Tannat and the great Chardonnay.

Photo of Tim and Hector, Los Cerros de San Juan Winemaker for 50 years. Now semi retired.

After lunch we are going to showcase the very best of Uruguayan Wines. Tim Robertson will have sourced 12 of the best examples of different varieties grown in this country but concentrating on the Tannat Uruguay’s emblematic grape. We will be concentrating on the Wines of Bouza, Carrau, Pizzorno, Pisano and Viñedos de los Vientos plus a few others.

Los Cerros de San Juan

Colonia WIKI

RETURN to BUENOS AIRES

We will catch the 6:00 PM boat back to BA and arrive at 6:00 PM (time difference) from where we will transport you back to Hotel and then wait for you to be ready for dinner.

(B) (L)

OVERNIGHT IN BUENOS AIRES

DAY 10. MONDAY 28th - LATE CHECK OUT and FLIGHT BACK to USA

As previously discussed flights back to Chicago with the shortest connection times leave late in the evening. With this in mind we have arranged a late check out subject to availability with the Hotel decided upon, which means you will not have to vacate the room at 6:00 PM.

Members of the group can finish up any last minute shopping or visit any other attractions that they have not had to time to see.

Transfer to the International Airport Pistarini more commonly known as Ezeiza takes 1 hour and all international flights are requesting you to arrive at the airport to check in at least 2 hours prior to flight departure.

Tour Ends

• A Personalised Leather Tasting Book for each participant in this Tour
  
• Airport Transfers
• Private Transport with Chauffeur and Air Conditioning
• Tim Robertson and Karen Gilchrist Guiding
• Entrance fees to vineyards as indicated in the itinerary (reserve and premium wines
  tasting)
• We have paid for Private Tours throughout: at no point on any of the activities will
  you be mixed
• Lunches where indicated and dinners where indicated
  

• The cost of dinners other than the 3 dinners hosted by Robertson Wine Tours
• Personal expenses such as the clothes washing, the telephone charges and the others costs not indicated in the program
• The Payment of reciprocity tax for First-Time American Visitors at the International Airport in Chile (USD 131)
• Argentina have introduced the same reciprocity tax for First-Time American Visitors, this is not however being collected in Mendoza your entry point into Argentina. If this changes we will inform you and you could expect to also pay (USD 131)
• Airport Transfers for departure from Buenos Aires will run at the most convenient times for the group as a whole on both Sunday 27th and Monday 28th February. Those wishing to transfer at other times will be arranged separately and charged.

FINAL COSTS BASED ON 17 PEOPLE OR MORE, THIS IS PRICE PER PERSON

TRAVEL INSURANCE.

Many of you will already be covered for medical services for foreign travel. If you are not sure then it is always worth speaking to your provider and or extending your cover.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Any individual cancelling their tour will be reimbursed 100% of the itinerary up to 60 days before arrival date (19th December 2010). After that date RWT will recover as much money from the Hotels and Airline as possible, conforming to their own Terms and Conditions. You will see the full terms and conditions on the dedicated IWFS webpage.

PAYMENT TERMS

50% Initial Deposit 1- 75 days from today’s date (CLOSING DATE 15th April 2010)
50% Payment 180 days prior to date of travel (FINAL PAYMENT 19th August 2010)

BANK DETAILS

TO SEND MONEY TO ROBERTSON WINE TOURS
Please mark charges to be paid by sender
Beneficiary Bank: BBVA Uruguay
Swift Code: BFUYUYMM
Correspondent Bank: Wachovia Bank NA
Swift Code: PNBPUS33PHL - ABA: 026005092
Number of the Account between Banks: 2000.090704.000
Recipient Account Number: 8009121
Name of Recipient: Robertson Wine Tours (Robertson, Timothy John Blanchard)
Reference: IWFS Tour 2011/(then put your surname)

FURTHER INFORMATION AND SERVICES

Should any members of the group wish to extend their trip to take in any number of the attractions that Argentina or Chile has to offer then we would be more than happy to advise you.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US

Here are our suggestions for extensions at the end of the trip that we are offering Members , If you are interested in an another zone or attraction then please let us know

TRIP EXTENSION IN SOUTH AMERICA

If you had 5 to 7 extra nights at your disposal after the Wine Tour our suggestions are as follows:

OPTION 1. Spend the whole time at this lakeside paradise. ‘Las Balsas’ Villa La Angostura’s premier lodge. We feel the best way to end your trip to South America.
See more

OPTION 2. Split time between  ‘Las Balsas’ 3/4/5 nights and The Glacier ‘Perito Moreno’ 2 nights 3 days
See more.

OPTION 3. Split your time between Iguassu falls 2 nights and ‘Las Balsas’ 3/4/5 nights.
See more.

OPTION 1: LAS BALSAS IN VILLA LA ANGOSTURA 

Argentine Patagonia lies, quite literally, at the end of the Earth and encompasses extensive areas of incomparable wilderness. Villa La Angostura is placed on both Nahuel Huapi and Correntoso Lakes. It is a small quaint town (imagine a Swiss mountain village) with mainly wooden structures and plenty of tourist services. Walking, fishing and hunting are all available. There are more than enough activities and places close by to keep you here for weeks.  Wiki/Nahuel_Huapi_Lake

LAS BALSAS
www.lasbalsas.com.ar

SOME ACTIVITIES: Handicrafts, Artists Studios, Nurseries and Gardens, hatcheries, Traditional Tea Houses, Cooking lessons and Gourmet tours. Shopping and a 5 star SPA at the lodge.

Private Boat Trips / Walking
The Lakes, River Limay, Santa Ana and Dora Waterfalls, Ñivinco Waterfalls, Cajon Negro-Belvedere Viewpoint, Cerro Bayo-Inacayal, Grandfather, Coihue / Last Hope Bay, Inacayal waterfall, Arrayanes Forest.

By Car
Seven Lake Road (to San Martin). Visit Villa Traful

Trout Fishing / Fly Fishing Expeditions
Full day Rivers & Lakes. Catch and release obligatory. Many rivers of this region are interconnected, forming a system that provides hundreds of miles of fishable waters.

DAILY FLIGHTS With LAN March 2011

OPTION 2: TRAVEL TO LAS BALSAS THEN ONTO GLACIER PERITO MORENO

3/4 NIGHTS IN LAS BALSAS AND 2 NIGHTS IN THE GLACIERS

See Option 1. For the information on Las Balsas.

‘Los Glaciares National Park’ is an important tourist destination. There are also two famous mountains Cerro Chaltén and Cerro Torre. The Glacier is 250 km2 of ice, 30 km in length. This ice field is the world's third largest reserve of fresh water

The minimum time recommended is 2 nights to enjoy the place and the glaciers. El Calafate is a small town in Argentine Patagonia. The town is on Lake Argentina. El Calafate’s Airport is a 30-minute drive to the town.

The Hotel we are suggesting the Eolo is midway between the Glacier and the town. This is a fantastic place.

EOLO HOTEL
www.eolo.com.ar

Eolo, a rustic, 12,300-acre lodge in the windswept La Anita valley, 18 miles west of El Calafate. Modeled on a traditional sheep farm, the lodge's corrugated zinc walls and gabled roofs protect a central courtyard from the ever-present elements. The interior, with carved woods, refurbished antiques, and leather- and corduroy-upholstered furniture to immediately set guests at ease. The lodge is close to the landmark glacier to justify a visit, but a simple hike or bike ride across the property can be just as compelling. Entranced by the setting, many guest just take inTorres del Paine and the icebergs floating throughthe  glacier-fed Lake Argentina.

All Inclusive, Including: lodging, transfer in-out, full pension (breakfast, lunch, lunch boxes for excursions, tea and dinner), Privitely guided excursions and expeditions (Perito Moreno Glacier) non-alcoholic beverages and activities: trekking, mountain bikes, bird watching, indoor swimming pool, sauna, library.

OR

CRUCEROS MARPATAG 
www.crucerosmarpatag.com

Stay aboard the Fabulous Leal Boat and see the Glaciers from the Lakes themselves.

The specially prepared cruise is 2 nights and 3 full days. It is all-inclusive extremely well respected and there would be no additional costs and included all transfers and taxes.

Flights from Buenos Aires to Bariloche to El Calafate to Buenos Aires

OPTION 3: IGUASSU (IGUAZU) FALLS TWO NIGHTS OR THREE DAYS

A Luxury 2 nights/ 3 full days package with excursions to the Brazilian and Argentine falls with private guide with Superior Rooms in either of the hotels.

Staying at the following hotels

• Grand Iguassu. This is an amazing hotel; the grounds are delightful. Grand Iguassu
• Sheraton Iguassu. The positioning of this hotel could not be better.  Sheraton Iguassu

Things to do

• Visit Iguassu Falls Brazilian Side. Included with private guide and entry into Park
• Visit Iguassu Falls Argentine Side. Included with private guide and entry into Park
• Take a Boat Ride on the Brazilian Side or Argentina Side and exploration of San Martin Island
• Take a Bird Watching Tour on the Argentine Side, See the Falls under Moonlight

Flights leave twice daily with LAN from the Domestic Airport in central Buenos Aires.

Our tours comprise exclusively land arrangements, hosting, air flights, guiding & meals and hotels where noted in the itinerary. Costs are not guaranteed until time of booking due to exchange rate fluctuation.

Inclusions: Meals where noted in the itinerary as wines, and non-alcoholic beverages with meals; transportation throughout by air-conditioned vehicle; gratuities, transfers on arrival/departure days as noted in itinerary, and services of our guides and hosts.

Exclusions: International Airline tickets unless specified in itinerary. Trip cancellation insurance; meals not noted; items of personal nature (laundry, room service, telephone calls, etc.); alcoholic beverages other than mentioned a; deviations to the itinerary; transfers not part of group itinerary; optional activities. Selected airport departure taxes; excess baggage charges; cost of obtaining passport or visas;

Exchange rates fluctuations/Inflation: South American currencies have historically
fluctuated; sometimes dramatically. Once the first deposit is made, prices in dollars are
subject to change due to rate fluctuations. Quoted tour prices include planning, handling
and operational charges, and are based on current rates of exchange, RWT reserves the
right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect
fluctuations in foreign exchange markets.

Air Transportation: We will arrange the best-priced airfare available in the class category
you request at the time of your booking.

RWT purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result RWT is not liable for any negligent or wilful act of any such person or entity or of any third person

In addition and without limitation, RWT is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majore, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labour activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time.

PAYMENT OF THE PROGRAM PRICE CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN AND IN MORE SPECIFIC ITINERARY DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING THE RESERVATION CONFIRMATION FORM.

Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. These programs may use the services of any IATA carrier. International air carriers are subject to international air conventions limiting their liability. The limitations of liability are contained on the reverse side of the airline ticket and form part of the terms and conditions of this package. The passage contract in use by these companies, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the purchaser of these travel programs and/or passage.

Deposit and Cancellation: A deposit of 50% of the total itinerary is required to secure reservations; and is 100% refundable until 59 days prior to the trip, after this time RWT will return everything that we can minus the cancellation costs as stipulated in the Hotels and Airlines Terms and Conditions.

If we have not discussed your particular query, just drop us a mail though our contact page on the website and we will attempt to answer by return

NEW YORK TIMES Article on Buenos Aires