Mendoza / Valle de Uco, Argentina

The main route to the Valle de Uco is via the city of Mendoza. So after a bit boring stay in Mendoza we were happy to find a bodega in Valle de Uco that accepted children. There are many Bodegas in the Argentinian Wine country, one even more beautiful than the other, but few accept children.

The Uco Valley is named after the chief of the long disappeared Huarpes Indians. The valley in the province of Mendoza is responsible for 80% of the yearly Argentinian wine production. It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere but millions of bottles of wine are produced here every year. The wine region is still relatively young, only 15-20 years old. The fertile ground, climate, air and water are the perfect conditions to grow grapes. The region is known especially for Malbec, Merlot, Pinto Noir, Semillon and Torrontes production. As the natural scenery is really breathtaking it is one of the most picturesque regions in Mendoza.

One of our best experiences of our entire world trip was the horseback riding day with the gauchos of Estancia San Pablo. Each child had their own horse and our youngest sat on the horse with one of the gauchos. Immediately after leaving the ranch we went up the steep mountains. When we arrived at the top there was this incredible and unforgettable view of the Andes Mountains on one side and a tremendous plateau on the other side. While we rode the mountain tops, with the wind in our hair, passing cow carcasses, we saw Condors flying high above us and heard gauchos chasing the cattle to go back to the ranch. It was like being in a movie or a dream, nothing we had ever experienced before. After a long ride we had to go down the mountain again. Really kind of a scary. And even though the gaucho tried to reassure me that the horses ride the same path every day, I was extremely glad when we reached the resting spot at the foot of the mountain safe and sound. Not only for myself but also for the children, who didn’t really seem to be scared at all by the way. They actually found the slipping of the horses down the hill, pretty funny!

At the foot of the mountain near a small running and ice-cold stream, the children played while the gauchos prepared our lunch on an open fire. A five star restaurant couldn’t ever beat this wonderful meal in the setting sun of the Andes mountains. We stayed there for a couple of hours before commencing our way back through all kinds of streams, now looking up to the mountains in stead.

Here are some awesome things to do at the Valle de Uco with kids. If you follow this list you will for sure do all the major highlights of this wonderful place. Use it as a check-list. It works really well.

• Horseback riding in the Andes;
• Visit the different wineries in the Uco Valley;
• Fishing at the pond of Bodega Atamisque;
• Wander the streets of the small town Tupungato;
• Visit the Killka art galery at Bodega Salentein.

Visiting the Atamisque winery

Atamisque Lodge

RP86
Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina
+(54) 9 261699 1166
www.atamisque.com

Price range

$$$$

Location

Outside the town of Tupungato, in the middle of the wine fields, apple orchards and many other fruits, with a view on the Andes mountains. Like in a dream.

Accommodation

There are several lodge suites, each with its own style and concept. I call it minimalistic chic. The bedrooms all have a chimney and an outdoor Jacuzzi with a view of the mountain range. For families they have interconnecting lodge suites. The rooms are very spacious so extra beds can be accommodated.

Dining

Breakfast is included in the room price and served every morning in the lobby. The restaurant offers an authentic regional and delicious cuisine. Of course you can (or rather have to) combine your food with the wonderful wines of Bodega Atamisque.

Services and amenities for kids

For an overview of the services and amenities for kids at this hotel click here. Amenities provided by the hotel in green.

Extra info

This winery/lodge is not specifically designed for children but it is one of the few to welcome them. The staff is very kind for children and when we were there they did their best to accommodate us and find nice activities together with their partner Vin@lto for us to do with the kids.

At the hotel you can visit their winery. See how the wine is made and taste their wonderful wines. You can explore the rest of the wine region, if you are there in autumn, see how the harvesting is done, go horseback riding, visit the Atamisque Trout farm or go on trekking tours with the family.