Are you hoping to explore wines from different wine regions including Mendoza and Salta during your winery tour? Then, you should definitely consider visiting Piattelli Vineyards and wineries. Winemakers at Piattelli are keen to showcase their double-terroir range of wines which come from both Cafayate in the far north of Argentina and vineyards in Mendoza’s Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley wine regions.
Tasting wines from Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley
Their main winery was established in 2002 is located in Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo; only 25 minutes’ drive from Mendoza. Agrelo is the heart of the winery’s Malbec production in Mendoza.
However, Piattelli have also planted vineyards in Tupungato in the Uco Valley. Here, the altitude is higher than in Luján and the cooler temperatures make it ideal for fresh white wines like Chardonnay as well as ripening deep reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.
A taste adventure into Salta
While their first adventure into making Argentine wine was in Mendoza, the US-born owners were keen to experiment with different terroirs to obtain different expressions from the grape varieties. Piattelli, therefore, opened a sister winery 1,000 kilometres north of Agrelo in Cafayate, Salta.
With the wines of both regions available to taste, whether you are in Mendoza or Cafayate, you can experience the best of both worlds! A parallel taste of their Malbec and/or Cabernet Sauvignon wines from both Mendoza and Salta is an excellent opportunity to compare the expressions of the terroir. A ‘must try’ from Cafayate in Salta is their aromatic yet elegant Torrontés white wine – which is the queen variety of Argentina and best expressed in this high altitude and unique terroir.
Visiting the winery in Luján de Cuyo
Visiting Piattelli winery in Mendoza is an intimate experience. With just a small and private tasting room, the team go out of their way to make guests feel at home; welcoming only small groups of up to 12 visitors at a time. Hospitality Manager Carolina Macaya leads you through a tasting of the different terroirs of Cafayate and Mendoza, as well as some of the wineries interesting boutique productions of wines such as Ancellotta. Reserving ahead is recommended.
The ambiance is very relaxed and you can sit down with a glass of wine on the sofas or on the terrace overlooking the winery’s pond and vineyards. Take your time to soak up the sun and you can even stay for a family-style meal with a private chef showing you how to cook traditional Argentine cuisine.
Enjoy the good life in the Piattelli winery in Cafayate
Alternatively, if you head to Cafayate, prepare to be wined and dined in the winery’s restaurant and taste some of the traditional Salteño cuisine (which is another interesting terroir tasting comparison with Mendoza!)
You can even learn to cook your own empanadas:
- Find out more about Piattelli Mendoza and Piattelli Cafayate in our Argentina Winery Guide.
- Read more about winemaking in Salta and Luján de Cuyo in our Argentina Vintage Guide.
- Read tasting notes for Piattelli Gran Reserva Malbec from Salta