Review: Auberge du Vin, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tupungato (Mendoza, Argentina)

Replete with beautiful vineyards and rustic wineries, Mendoza is a wine lover's paradise. The region provides an impressive 70% of Argentina's wine production. It's about two hours by air from Buenos Aires and actually much closer from Santiago, Chile's capital on other other side of the mountainous border. Visitors are drawn to three main wine producing areas, namely Maipú, Luján de Cuyo, and Valle de Uco (Uco Valley), each unique with their own characteristics.

But while visiting vineyards is cool, waking up in one is next-level. Mendoza has many hotels and resorts that allow guests to stay within private wineries and vineyards set against the Andes mountains. Part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio of characterful and independent boutique hotels is Auberge du Vin, located close to the Uco Valley area. This 28-room property, located right inside a vineyard, offers an outdoor pool, restaurant, and a rather remote escape.

View of the vineyards and mountains from Auberge du Vin

Checking in

Apart from making the booking, the next task is getting to the hotel. Auberge du Vin is about two hours from Mendoza airport (El Plumerillo International, airport code MDZ). Going southwards on Ruta Nacional (National Route) 40, one will notice the surroundings getting less urban, as though they are venturing into the wilderness. The final stretch of getting to the hotel involves a 5-minute drive on an unpaved dirt road. It might be difficult to navigate if driving in for the first time at night, as there are no streetlamps and vegetation is tall (I did get lost). The tip is to follow every sign with the hotel's name, and once past the gate, follow the white masts leading to the property. Also, it's advisable to download a set of offline maps because internet connection in some areas is limited.

A dirt road

Once there, parking is sufficient. One will quickly notice that the entire property is within an expansive vineyard, making for a very unique and immersive experience.

Free parking area

Room

There are just 28 rooms here, classified by bed type (queens, kings, and twins) and view type (mountain, vineyard, and garden view). Rooms include a sitting area, although the sofa does not face the TV. There is also a small cooking area, which includes an induction stove and a set of cooking equipment, but I think it is not necessary to use it because there is an on-site restaurant. The rooms on the ground floor open up into the vineyards, with a private seating area outside.

Entering the twin room

Twin room

A cooking area, fireplace, and reading area

Cooking equipment

The bathroom is large, comprising of double sinks, a standing shower on one side, and a toilet on the other.

Double sinks

A standing shower

Bath amenities

Restaurant

The hotel restaurant, named Epic, is open for all-day dining. Prices are quite reasonable. There is a small bar outside the restaurant too.

Hotel bar

Hotel restaurant Epic, with live kitchen behind

Another view of restaurant interior

Dinner

Breakfast is served buffet-style in the mornings (included in room rate), and is adequate for a hotel on the smaller scale.

Bread and pastries

More breakfast items

Cold cuts and tea

Complimentary breakfast

Facilities

The building forms a loop, with a pool area in the centre. There is some indoor seating near the reception area.

Seating near the reception

Many (dusty) bottles

Walkway

The upper deck is quite a nice place to watch the sunset (not pictured). It is quite cosy when the lights come on at night, although it can be windy.

Outdoor pool

Poolside lounge chairs

Chairs on the upper deck

View at night

There is a fitness centre on-site which did not seem to be utilised much; perhaps it does not go well with wine?

Fitness centre

The main attraction though, in my view, is just walking out and strolling into the vineyards in every direction. Clearly the grapes have already been harvested when I was there, but it was still a very tranquil and relaxing experience. It all turns dark at night, but the remoteness also means it's quite possible to do some stargazing.

Endless vines to stroll along ..

... and a place to relax after

Some tips

It's like a different world out here, and I leave the following tips:

• To access this property, be sure to know the way and be prepared to drive on the dirt road. It's easier to get there in the day. Download offline maps.
• Check which days the wineries are open; many close on the weekend
• Reserve ahead for wineries and restaurants
• For winery tours, be sure to check the language beforehand, as most are in Spanish
• Marriott Bonvoy points redemption (~17,500 points per night) may bring good value

Auberge du Vin, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tupungato

Address: La Costa s/n, Uco Valley, Tupungato 5561, Argentina

Telephone: +54 261 476-2110