Tuesday was a wonderful day in Mendoza. We started out by driving to Cerro de la Gloria. It’s a hill and lookout point in General San Martin park. At the top of the hill is a big bronze memorial to the Army of the Andes. The army led by the Argentine leader José de San Martin crossed the Andes from Mendoza and liberated Chile. The bronze statues are built into a Stone Mountain like-foundation. I think it’s the best memorial and statues I have ever seen.
Then we drove down to the lake in the park below the monument and walked around it.
From San Martin Park we drove about 30 minutes southeast to LAUR Olivicola and toured the balsamic vinegar plant and the olive oil production plant. Then we did a tasting of the oils and vinegars they produce. On the English speaking tour there were only the four of us and a young man from the Netherlands, Tom, who has been traveling all over South America for the past year. We really enjoyed the tasting, the tour, and the conversation.
Finally we went 30 minutes west to Lamadrid Winery. The Lamadrid winery restaurant is Michelin recommended. We had reserved a four course lunch and wine pairing. The meal was served at a table under the spring green trees at a table set on the grass. The setting was idyllic and the food and wine were superb. After our midafternoon lunch we toured the winery. The founder of the winery was Guillermo Garcia Lamadrid. He was born in Cuba where his father had a successful business.
When the Cuban revolution started his father was jailed and Guillermo, who was eleven years old was sent to the United States to live with an American family. Two years later the family was able to escape Cuba and reunite with Guillermo. They moved to Puerto Rico where they built a successful business. In the early 2000s they sold their business, moved to Argentina and started Lamadrid winery. The winery is dedicated to Guillermo’s mother who gave him the opportunity.
After our big day we didn’t need to eat or drink any more. We drove back to the hotel, played some cards and turned in early
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