Come along with me on a bright summer's day to Bodega Jose L. Mounier at Finca Las Nubes on Salta's Ruta Del Vino. The winery was founded by José Luis Mounier, an enologist from Mendoza, whose dream was to own a winery and produce wines that bear his name. In 1999 his dream was realized when he purchased Finca Las Nubes (las nubes means the clouds). This organic wine, boutique bodega has a welcoming cafe with beautiful views of the Valles Calchaquíes. Even though the winery is located 5 km from the town of Cafayate it is well worth the drive. Just setting on the veranda, drinking wine while taking in the stunning valley views makes it the perfect place for a relaxing, casual lunch. Yes, it was a beautiful day for touring wine country, with just a few clouds in the sky.
 |
View from Bodega Mounier, Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood
|
 |
Finca Las Nubes Vineyard, Cafayate © Spaswinefood
|
I have such fond memories of an earlier visit to Bodega Mounier, Finca Las Nubes; so when we returned to Cafayate it was at the top of Spaswinefood's list. Salta Province's Cafayate not only produces wonderful wines but also it is the ideal Argentine wine country getaway. This is why we began our most recent Argentine wine adventure in Cafayate. I could say it is because Cafayate is #1 on the list of 2017 Best Wine Destinations. However, that is not our primary reason for returning. It was memories of wineries, like Bodega Mounier that called us back.
 |
| Salta Ruta Del Vino, Cafayate © Spaswinefood |
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Visiting wineries scattered throughout the Valles Calchaquíes is hard to beat. Cafayate's high desert scrub landscape is so compelling. Moreover, this landscape is such a stunning contrast against the vineyards. After leaving Cafayate we traveled on gravel road towards Finca Las Nubes. It was a pleasant drive, with sufficient signs to follow along the way. Let's take a peek at the route.
 |
| Beyond Cafayate © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Onwards to Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Onto Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Ruta Del Vino to Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood |
Soon we arrived at Finca Las Nubes.
 |
| Finca Las Nubes Fine Wines © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Finca Las Nubes: Visit, Taste, Dine © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Finca Las Nubes Entrance © Spaswinefood |
Now let's take a tour of Finca Las Nubes's Bodega Mounier.
Why is Bodega Mounier, Finca Las Nubes, Cafayate so Special?
Before
I started my Spaswinefood adventures we visited Cafayate. That
was seven years ago. I can still remember our drive through Argentina's Salta
Province, with colorful,
grandiose landscape. Salta Province has some of the most scenic driving routes
in Argentina. We soon discovered that while Salta Province is known for its
scenery it also known for its wines. At that time I was most fortunate to have visited Bodega Mounier. Just checkout Finca Las Nubes and you will see why was easy to fall in love with this wine region.
 |
Finca Las Nubes Vineyard, Valles Calchaquíes © Spaswinefood
|
Moreover, the
Cafayate wine region, a sub-region within Salta Province, is held in high
regard for the overall quality of its wine. What makes Cafayate a special place
for wine is the fact that it is located in the southern part of Valles Calchaquíes, with an altitude of more
than 1,800 meters. This high elevation enables Cafayate to produce high quality
wines.
Cafayate produces Torrontés (Argentina's emblematic white wine), Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Tannat and Merlot. Just like Malbec originally drew attention to Mendoza Province so did Torrontés for Salta Province. Today both regions are now known for producing many great wines. It was amazing to experience the wide range of quality wines available in Cafayate.
 |
| Grape Vines, Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood |
As we walked toward the bodega from the parking lot we passed by the vineyard.
 |
Finca Las Nubes Vineyard © Spaswinefood
|
 |
| Finca Las Nubes, José Luis Mounier Malbec 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Finca Las Nubes, José Luis Mounier Cabernet-Malbec 2013
 |
| Finca Las Nubes, José Luis Mounier Cabernet-Malbec 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Finca Las Nubes, José Luis Mounier Rosado 2016
It was a delightful lunch on the veranda that day.
 |
| Lunch is Ready, Finca Las Nubes Cafe © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Lunch, Finca Las Nubes Cafe © Spaswinefood |
Let's take a closer look at lunch.
 |
| Salad, Finca Las Nubes Cafe © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Finca Las Nubes Cafe © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Bread, Finca Las Nubes Cafe © Spaswinefood |
We selected a bottle of José Luis Mounier Champaña Rosado Extra Brut 2016 for lunch that day.
 |
| Rosé Time, Finca Las Nubes Cafe © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Finca Las Nubes, José Luis Mounier Champaña Rosado Extra Brut 2016 © Spaswinefood |
The José Luis Mounier Champaña Rosado Extra Brut 2016 was a perfect choice. However, catching those wine moments on the veranda at Finca Las Nubes Cafe was priceless.
 |
| Catching Wine Moments, Finca Las Nubes Cafe © Spaswinefood |
While the winery dogs relaxed, on the veranda and in the garden, we enjoyed a delightful lunch.
 |
| Relaxing, Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Relaxing Veranda Style, Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood |
After lunch it was time to leave this peaceful place.
 |
| Cafe, Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood |
Bodega Jose L. Mounier, with its amazing views and tasty wines, are what makes travels in Cafayate wine country so ideal. In other Spaswinefood posts I write about more discoveries on Salta’s Ruta
Del Vino.
 |
Clouds over Cafayate, Salta © Spaswinefood
|
Things to do In/Near Cafayate
Other
than wine explorations along Cafayate’s Ruta Del Vino if you travel north of Cafayate,
on Ruta 68, you can explore beautiful canyons, such as the scenic Quebrada de Cafayate on the Rio Conchas. In addition,if you go north on Ruta 40 to Molinos can take a
ripio (gravel) road detour to visit Colomé
Winery, one of Argentina’s top wineries. Cafayate, home to indigenous
people, the Kallchaki is also known as the Cradle of Folklore. We encountered a Kallchaki community sign on our way to and from Bodega Mounier.
 |
| Kallchaki Community, Cafayate © Spaswinefood |
Getting to/from Cafayate
Cafayate
does not have an airport and is only accessible by car or bus. The shortest
route (Ruta 68) is 165 kilometers of winding road from Salta, capital city of Salta Province. Flights
to Salta from Buenos Aires and other major cities in Argentina are available on
Aerolinas Argentinas and other carriers. It is well worth the effort because
Cafayate wineries are delightful to visit. Moreover Cafayate offers a wide range of options for restaurants and accommodations. While in Cafayate we stayed at Patios deCafayate at Bodega El Esteco. Patios de Cafayate was the perfect place to return to each day after our wine
country explorations.
Cafayate wine country is an absolute must for wine enthusiasts. Naturally this Spaswinefood enthusiast looks
forward to writing more on our Argentine wine country explorations.
You can check out my travels in Argentina and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
January
2017
Cafayate,
Salta Province
Argentina
©
Spaswinefood
 |
| Mounier, Finca Las Nubes © Spaswinefood |
No comments:
Post a Comment