Bodega Cruzat
Calle Costa Flores, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
While most of Mendoza's wineries specialize in rich reds, most notably malbec, Bodega Cruzat has carved a niche for itself producing sparkling wines. Founded by winemaker Pedro Federico Rosell in 2004, Cruzat grows pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, and produces a selection of fine white and rose sparkling wines using traditional methods.
The Basics
On a Cruzat winery tour, visitors can discover the entire wine-making process, from growing and harvesting grapes to the traditional "champenoise" method that involves a second fermentation in the bottle and produces sparkling wines. After peeking behind-the-scenes at the production area, including the wine cellars, disgorging machine, and bottle-labeling machine, sample the wines during a guided wine tasting.
Things to Know Before You Go
The legal drinking age in Argentina is 18.
Advance booking is required for winery tours and tastings.
Tours are conducted in both Spanish and English.
How to Get There
Bodega Cruzat is located about a 30-minute drive south of Mendoza city in the Lujan de Cuyo region. Biking is a popular way to reach the winery, and the hop-on hop-off Vitivinicola bus also stops there every Tuesday.
When to Get There
The winery is open Monday through Saturday. Vitivinicola wine buses arrive on Tuesdays, making it one of the busiest days. Although wine tours run year-round, the most pleasant time to explore the vineyards is from October through March.
Sampling Mendoza's Sparkling Wines
Mendoza's wine scene has constantly evolved since the millennium, and while red varietals still lead the way, a number of wineries are now devoted to producing high-quality sparkling wines. French Champagne house Moet & Chandon first realized Mendoza's potential for producing sparkling wines, setting up the Chandon Argentina winery in the 1950s. Today, along with Chandon and Cruzat, popular wineries along Mendoza's Sparkling Wine Trail include Norton and Septima.
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