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Heaven on Earth for a wine and relaxation lover: The Cavas Wine Lodge Through a cracked window the morning streams in, filled with warmth and promise of another magnificent day in Mendoza. A whispering wind blows in caressing my face and prying my tranquil eyes open. By most standards, I have slept in, as it is after 9am, but when in Mendoza bed time doesn’t come until 3 or 4am, so 9am is actually quite early. Looking forward to the events of the day coerce me up as I start another glorious day in Mendoza. As I look out the cracked window I am once again reminded of why this place is so magical. I have just stayed my second night at the Cavas Wine Lodge, after spending 5 lovely days at the Park Hyatt Mendoza. The Hyatt was everything you would hope for in a luxury hotel, from impeccable service, beautiful rooms, heavenly pool and spa and a magnificent bar – heck, even a casino if you are inclined. But, looking out the half opened window I understand why leaving the city of Mendoza and venturing 20 miles out to the Cavas is a destination retreat for so many visitors. Situated in a 35 acre vineyard, the Cavas is surrounded by nature on all sides, with grape filled vines and flowers perfuming the air on this summer day. In the distance is the site that will take your breath away, the foothills of the snow capped Andes Mountains. The combination of these two elements reveals an obvious observation to why this exact location was chosen when Cecilia Diaz Chuit and her husband, Martín Rigal selected this spot to build their dream get away. The couple, her a graduate of the Buenos Aires Hotel School, that had traveled the world working for various hotel chains including Starwood and Relais & Chateaux, and him graduate of AgroBusiness and Postgraduate in Marketing Studies at Berkeley University in California, decided to create their own luxury hideaway in the middle of these great Mendoza vineyards.
And when I say luxury, I do mean luxury. CeCi’s (as her friends call her) impeccable style and generous approach ensures that every detail is accounted for. Upon arrival their hospitable staff greets you with a cool glass of Torrontes (a white varietal produced almost exclusively in Argentina with a beautiful floral nose and nice, crisp acidity on the palate.) CeCi and Martín are usually on hand to welcome you to your new home away from home personally, as well. This is followed by a tour around the property, delivering you to your casita. A casita is simply a “little house,” of which there are 14 on the property and each guest, or couple, are welcomed with their own individual casita. Each adobe-walled casita has a sitting room, with key amenities like a flat-screen TV, CD/DVD player, cordless phone and Wi-Fi, however I anticipate the only thing that is really needed is the CD player to enjoy a few tunes while relaxing in your room. The sitting area flows into the separate bedroom, each with a fireplace if visiting during their winter months and thick crimson red llama wool throws. A bathroom the size of my first apartment follows with stone floors, an oversized bath tub and separate shower with a rain flow showerhead (I just love those). Bath products were created by CeCi using the healthful olive oils that are produced in the region. Outside each casita is a plunge pool, al fresco shower and sun chaise. Upstairs there is an additional sun deck with fireplace, if the night turns a bit cool. And each patio opens on to the magnificent view of the Andres rising up in the distance.
Everything about the accommodations is meant to communicate relaxation. The lodge relays the same feel, complete with modest spa, welcoming pool, library and sitting area, wine cellar, restaurant and huge veranda looking out on the vineyards, and the Andes. The difference between this place and so many other luxury hotels is that up until this point there was nothing like this in Mendoza. It is also a part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel family. It is clear why. As I said, each and every detail is accounted for, from the full size bath products provided in each casita, the full bar that is laid out each evening for guests to enjoy happy hour, a plentiful amuse buche that accompanies each meal that is served. The veranda is the ideal view for anyone wanting to unwind and forget about the real world while enjoying a glass of Malbec, or ask to try a Bonarda (an Italian red wine varietal now produced predominantly in Argentina) grown and produced by Martín. Meals are fresh, fresh, fresh with locally grown herbs, olive oils, produce and meats. Huge salads made with watercress, avocado and tomatoes; veal Carpaccio dressed with floral olive oil and aged balsamic with parmesan and arugula; roasted goat with Chimichurri, the salsa of Argentina. Flavors are rich, earthy and clean. They do not mask the beauty of the food with heavy sauces or butter, the real goodness of the ingredients are highlighted. The wine list features an extensive assortment of Argentine specialties, ranging from high to low end, with some special finds that you won’t find elsewhere in Mendoza, like the 2002 Huarpe we enjoyed one night with dinner. Though Huarpe was still a young winery when they produced the 2002 the flavors were deep and structured, with rich elegance and intensity. While staying at Cavas you can opt to just relax and enjoy what the property has to offer, which aside from the spa, pool and relaxation, can include bike rides through the vineyards around the Cavas or hikes around the property. Or they are happy to set up day jaunts to area wineries for lunches, dinners, tastings and tours. I recommend both. Many of the large wineries in Mendoza like Catena Zapata, Norton and Finca La Anita bodegas are all conveniently nearby, as well as some of my favorites like Bodega Bressia, Las Perdices and Vina Alicia. Though the summer months of January – March are high season for the region, the Cavas is open year round. Winery tours are also available year round, so though you won’t get a tan visiting in their winter time, you are still sure to have a memorable experience. Because there are only 14 rooms available, the Cavas tends to get booked easily, so plan well ahead to have the opportunity to add this experience to your visit to Mendoza. You will love it. www.cavaswinelodge.com Cheers,
Lunch on the Cavas veranda with Chef Andrew Ormsby; wine importer, Stewart Elliott, Jr; Owner and winemaker of Bodega Bressia, Walter Bressia and his daughter and head of marketing, Marita. |
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