Lagarde is perfect for a vineyard lunch in Luján de Cuyo

Whenever I think about Mendoza Province images of lunch at Lagarde's Restaurant Fogón often flash through my mind. Those memories of tasting such excellent Argentine wines takes me back to that special place. It is hard to imagine a better place for a vineyard lunch. Bodega Lagarde is a family owned winery in Mendoza’s Luján de Cuyo wine region, in the eastern foothills of the Andes, the Midwest of the country. From Mendoza city to Luján de Cuyo is about a 40 minute drive. Luyán de Cuyo is one of Mendoza’s three wine regions (Valle de Uco, Luján de Cuyo, and Maipu). Now let us take a look at a Bodega Lagarde lunch. 

  Bodega Lagarde's Restaurant Fogón © Spaswinefood

Earlier while touring Luján de Cuyo wineries it was highly recommended that we visit Lagarde. I put it on Spaswinefood's short list. Then later while checking out the area for potential winery visits we happened to find ourselves at the entrance to Lagarde. We were delighted to locate it that day because at least two of the potential lunch stops on our list were closed. Hence the timing of our arrival at Lagarde was perfect for us. We soon discovered that we could not have asked for a better place.

Lunch at Lagarde © Spaswinefood

Bodega Lagarde
Lagarde lists its main goal as honoring the past, and imaging the future. Its honoring of the past is indeed important given that Lagarde is one of oldest wineries in Mendoza. In fact some of their Malbec vines are over 100 years old. The first vines were planted in 1897 when the winery was established. During its existence the winery has been owned by just two families. In 1969 the Pescarmona family, with three generations of wine making history, acquired the property. Today Lagarde is managed by two young sisters, Sofia and Lucila. The Pescarmona family's vision for managing the winery is sustainability for people, community and the environment. 

Just a little information about Lagarde wines. Juan Roby Stordeur has been with Lagarde since 1999, and head winemaker since 2003. The winery was one of the first in Latin America to introduce to the area non-traditionally grown grape varieties, such as Viognier and Muscato Bianco. Their five vineyards (230 hectares) are completely managed by the winery. We were most fortunate to see the original vineyard, Finca Drummond. This is where the winery and restaurant are located.

Lagarde's Drummond Vineyard, View #1 © Spaswinefood

Lagarde's Drummond Vineyard, View #2 © Spaswinefood

The vineyard was doing quite well during our February visit.

Lunch in the Vineyard
After arriving at the Restaurant Fogón we were taken to a table outside near the vineyard. The restaurant offered a number of setting options. There is a lovely inside dining for cooler days.

Inside Dining Area, Restaurant Fogón © Spaswinefood

Perhaps we would have chosen to set inside but it was summer.

Views into the Garden, Bodega Lagarde © Spaswinefood

For me the patio and the garden are the best summer time options, given there is plenty of shade. 

Patio and Garden, Bodega Lagarde © Spaswinefood

The outside setting is delightful.

Table Ready, Bodega Lagarde © Spaswinefood

A Bodega Lagarde Lunch © Spaswinefood

Our lunch began with a Guarda Chardonnay wine.

Bodega Lagarde, Guarda Chardonnay Guatallary, Tupungato 2015

Bodega Lagarde, Guarda Chardonnay Guatallary, Tupungato 2015 © Spaswinefood

Guarda Chardonnay © Spaswinefood

Paired with Guarda Chardonnay was a plate featuring textures of goat cheese, ice cream, beetroot carpaccio, baked pears, honey and roasted walnuts.

Textures, Restaurant Fogón © Spaswinefood

Textures and Chardonnay, Restaurant Fogón © Spaswinefood

Second course was fresh vegetables from the garden on homemade bread. It was paired with a Malbec wine.

Garden Fresh Vegetables on Homemade Bread © Spaswinefood

Vegetables on Homemade Bread (Top View) © Spaswinefood

Bodega Lagarde, Guarda Malbec D.O.C. 2014

Bodega Lagarde, Guarda Malbec D.O.C. 2014 © Spaswinefood

These are the moments for savoring the wines in the glasses.

Wine Moments, Bodega Lagarde © Spaswinefood

Next course was sweet bread caramelized in grape marmalade, with a red pepper emulsion. It was paired with a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sweet Bread Caramelized in Grape Marmalade, and Red Pepper Emulsion © Spaswinefood

In the vegetarian version the sweet bread was replaced by clay oven baked potatoes.

Clay Oven Baked Potatoes © Spaswinefood

Bodega Lagarde, Primeras Viñas Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Bodega Lagarde, Primeras Viñas Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 © Spaswinefood

Primeras Viñas Cabernet Sauvignon © Spaswinefood

The fourth course was a grilled filet, clay oven baked potatoes, smoked carrot and cumin cream, with sweet garlic dressing. This dish was paired with a Gran Guarda Henry wine.

 Filet, Potatoes, Smoked Carrot and Cumin Cream, and Garlic Dressing © Spaswinefood

The vegetarian version was a squash pasta.

 Squash Pasta © Spaswinefood

Perhaps you have guessed the Gran Guarda Henry is a very special wine.

Henry is in the House © Spaswinefood

Yes, we got to taste this very special wine.

Bodega Lagarde, Gran Guarda Henry

Bodega Lagarde, Henry is Ready © Spaswinefood

Bodega Lagarde, Gran Guarda Henry

Bodega Lagarde, Gran Guarda Henry © Spaswinefood

Fifth course was a chilled melon soup. It was paired with an Extra Brut Blanc de Noir.

Chilled Melon Soup © Spaswinefood

Chilled Melon Soup (Top View) © Spaswinefood

Bodega Lagarde, Extra Brut Blanc de Noir

Bodega Lagarde, Extra Brut Blanc de Noir © Spaswinefood

 Chilled Melon Soup, with Extra Brut Blanc de Noir © Spaswinefood

Yes, our lunch table was now filled with glassware from a most delightful wine tasting. Yes, this is how wine memories are made.

Wine Memories © Spaswinefood

Sixth and final course was baked peaches, with seasonal ice-cream, and citrus cream. The final wine was a Henry Cosecha Tardia.

Baked Peaches, Ice-cream, and Citrus Cream © Spaswinefood

It was indeed a vineyard lunch to be remembered. I suspect most guests feel the same. When I glanced at the nearby table I saw the abandoned wine glasses from a group that just left. These are wine memories that last.

Glassware, Bodega Lagarde © Spaswinefood

As we left that day I could imagine doing a wine tasting here at another time.

Remembering Bodega Lagarde © Spaswinefood

Let us not forget the staff who worked so hard to pull this off. Since Restaurant Fogón has an open kitchen I could not resist taking a peek. I always like checking out an open kitchen.

Restaurant Fogón  Kitchen, View #1 © Spaswinefood

Restaurant Fogón Kitchen, View #2 © Spaswinefood

The kitchen is adjacent to the inside dinner area. Guests who dine inside get a great view of the kitchen.

Front Row Seating, Bodega Lagarde's Restaurant Fogón © Spaswinefood

I also remember those vineyard glimpses from our table. My only regret was not seeing the ancient Malbec vines. Nevertheless, on my way out I did take another peek at the Drummond Vineyard.

 Last Peek at Drummond Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Our other Luján de Cuyo winery stops included Bodega Norton where we tasted great premium wines; Caelum, a wonderful tasting at a smaller winery, and Septima, another great tasting. Septima has a restaurant however, our schedule did not work for us to dine there. On a past trip we visited Ruca Mulen for lunch and loved it. We have also visited Alta Vista, and Belasco De Baquedano. During this trip we tried to arrange a visit at Catena Zapata however, did not have any luck on short notice. Yes, I did manage to take a peek at their vineyard.

Our Lagarde Winery lunch visit was indeed a most delightful part of our explorations of Mendoza's wine regions. Mendoza’s over 1,500 wineries has amongst the highest altitude vineyards in the world, averaging between 600-1,100 meters (2,00-3,600 feet) above sea level. The three wine regions nearest the city of Mendoza include Valle de Uco, Luján de Cuyo, and Maipu, all of which are situated in the eastern foothills of the Andes. You can check out my travels in Argentina and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

February 2017

Mendoza, Argentina

© Spaswinefood

Barrel Display, Lagarde © Spaswinefood


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