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The best wineries to visit in San Rafael

Tours to vineyards have already become a classic of the province of Mendoza. National tourists and foreigners visit this area to discover the flavours and fragrances of this drink. Today we want to share with you information about the best wineries to visit in San Rafael.

The best wineries to visit in San Rafael

1) La abeja

It is the first Winery in San Rafael, founded in 1883 by Rodolfo Iselín, the pioneer of this city. Rodolfo Iselín is recognized as the father of the viticulture of San Rafael, imported varietal French (malbec, verdot, semillon) and introduced modern techniques used in Europe. Next to the cellar he built his imposing mansion, symbol of the rise and rise of the French colony.

The winery opens its doors and invites you to enjoy a tour full of history. Guided tours consist of 4 steps, start explaining the process of wine production made with the original machinery of 1885, then continues with the history of the family of Rodolfo Iselin and its importance as a founder of the city of San Rafael. In the cellar they develop the process of elaboration of the sparkling under the old ancestral method, ending with a broad tasting of their wines.

Las mejores bodegas para visitar en San Rafael
Las mejores bodegas para visitar en San Rafael
  • Address: Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 1900.
  • Guided Tour
    • Monday to Saturday from 9 to 19:30 hours (January-March)
    • Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 17 pm (April to December)
    • Last visit 1 hour before closing.
  • Price: Visits are free of charge.
  • Frequency: Every 30 minutes.
  • Attention: Visitors are met by the guide, the owners and/or the winemakers.
  • Language: English visits need prior reservation by phone ( 4439804 0260).
  • Web: www.bodegalaabeja.com.ar

2)  Jean Rivier

The Rivier family’s winery was established in 1956 by Jean Rivier, a Swiss immigrant who adopted the terminology “viticulturist/winemaker” since the winery vinifies its own grapes as well as growing them. The Vines are located at an altitude of 975m, at the heart of the Uco Valley which benefits from an ideal climate with over 300 days of sunshine.

The winery organises guided tours and visitors can visit several rooms (the vineyards are some distance from the winery). An employee of the winery, an expert in the field and the company, begins with a presentation on the family’s history. She then explains the characteristics of the vines, the grape varieties grown, the different plantings and the mission and principles applied by the family of grape growers and wine makers who have devoted themselves with passion to this noble pursuit for a number of decades now.
Once inside the building, visitors can view the technologies used in the grape receiving and pressing room and then move onto the fermentation room. At this stage of the tour, a brief presentation is given on the exciting topic of vinification. Visitors are then invited to go down into the cellar where the barrels are located and where the reserve wines are aged, where they can enjoy a tasting with further explanations being provided. The tour ends in the shop where visitors can purchase wines from the winery and associated merchandise.

Las mejores bodegas para visitar en San Rafael

  • Address: Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 2385.
  • Guided Tour
    • The winery is open all year round from Monday to Friday, 08.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 19.00 and on Saturdays from 08.00 to 12.00, except during the festive period from 24 December to 20 January.
  • Price:  The tour and tasting are both free.
  • Duration: 40 minutes.
  • Grups: Groups of 10 or more must book (tel. 0260 4432 676).
  • Frequency: Every 45 minutes.
  • Attention: Visitors are met by the guide, the owners and/or the winemakers.
  • Language: Tours are available only in Spanish.
  • Web: www.jeanrivier.com

3) Familia Goyenechea

Founded in 1868, Goyenechea is one of the oldest wineries in the country, being the only family winery with five generations.

Today the winery is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which includes stainless-steel tanks, cooling equipment, barrel room, storage room for bottle aging -all in a temperature-controlled environment-, and a tasting room, among other innovations. At present, Goyenecha Winery’s production, though smaller in volume than at earlier stages, is much more diversified and aimed at greater added value. Only quality bottled wines are produced in three categories: basic varietals, premium and grand reserve.

Las mejores bodegas para visitar en San Rafael

  • Address: Calle pública s/n. Villa Atuel, Mendoza. Distance from San Rafael: 54 km (40 minutes)
  • Guided Tours
    • The visits are from Monday to Saturday and public holidays from 10:30 to 17:45.
  • Price: Visits are free of charge.
  • Tour: Vineyards, wine cellar, cellar and barrels.
  • Frequency: Every 45 minutes.
  • Attention: Visitors are met by the guide, the owners and/or the winemakers.
  • Telephone: 0260-154617294.
  • Language: Spanish
  • Grups: Groups of 20 or more must book.
  • Web: www.goyenechea.com

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