Mendoza Wine Region
Friday, 26 February 2010 16:32
We didn’t quite make it to Mendoza after crossing the border, so we stopped in Uspallata.
On the way down from the pass, we met these two guys from the Netherlands
They started riding from Ushuaia 3 months ago and said they plan to go over the pass we just crossed. It will take them 3 days!
Inca's Bridge on the Inca Trail
That night we stopped for our first Argentine parrilla (grill).
The food was fantastic.
Later that night, we emailed a posada in Maipu, Posada Cavieres, to see if they had a room. The posada was located in the vineyards of Maipu, a wine region near Mendoza. We lucked out because someone had canceled and we could spend a few days. After picking up some picnic supplies from the local market, we took off for Maipu.
Leaving Uspallata, we got a great view of the valley used for the the backdrop of Brad Pitt's “Seven Years in Tibet”
We started seeing more of these shrines.
During the civil war in Argentina in the mid 1800’s, Baudilio Correa was captured and killed. Wanting to recover the body of her dead husband, the Deolinda decided to take her baby and walk to La Rioja. Unable to find water on the way, she collapsed on the side of the road and died. A passerby later found her baby was still alive, surviving by sucking milk from her breast. Deolinda’s grave soon became a holy site and people began to credit her for looking after them while lost on the road. Deolinda is now regarded as the saint of all travelers.
Tunnels on Argentina side of border
Argentina Lake Near Border
On the way to Maupi
Vineyards
Downtown Maupi had a wonderful Plaza
As well as a great set of locals
Recycling in Maipu
Posada Cavieres turned out to be a fantastic 3 room adobe posada
Proprietor, Hans, even offered a power washer to clean the Beast!
It was a great place to sip a glass of wine
Or sit around with new friends over a meal
And even recruit future adventure motorcyclists!
Conveniently within walking distance of several vineyards
After a relaxing couple of days at the Posada, it was off to Mendoza for more Argentine steaks and wine
Luckily, a wine festival added to the local sites and sounds
