New Algodon Mansion Website

Our new Algodon Mansion website is up and running, in anticipation of the hotel’s grand opening this Fall. The website design is very sophisticated and polished, and though it only represents a preface of how the website will appear once the hotel has actually opened its doors, it’s still enough for you to get a clear idea of its sleek and elegant design. I feel it represents the concept of Algodon Mansion quite well. As we move closer to our grand opening, you’ll see more and more information, photos, navigational options, etc. that will expand the website’s current sitemap, so keep checking back.

--Scott Mathis

More Mendoza in the News

An excellent article that appears on FinancialTimes.com was forwarded to me last week. It’s titled “On the roof of the wine-growing world” and it’s a great read that praises Mendoza. The author’s enthusiasm strikes me as that of someone having just discovered the beauty of Mendoza for the first time. Another great article at Todaysfinancialnews.com discusses Mendoza’s draw to the retiree. The Washington Post talks about Argentine wine sales in U.S. restaurants (given our economy, and patrons looking for quality valued wine options) quoting one restaurant owner as saying; "We're selling the hell out of Mendoza". You can read that one here. And finally, it was announced that the world famous Dakar rally will return to Mendoza in 2010. The race will begin and end in Buenos Aires, and although I don’t think the exact route has officially been announced yet, I’ve heard that it will not only navigate through San Rafael once again – but it will go right by our property.

--Scott Mathis

Malbec & Buenos Aires Restaurants

Two articles that I recently stumbled across are worth pointing out. Once again we see praise for Mendoza and its signature grape, Malbec. The first piece comes from the Guardian.co.uk - it’s more of an editorial- titled Argentina is giving malbec a good name. The other appeared in the Chicago Tribune, and is titled Malbec’s star turn.

In another article from the not too distant past, The Washington Post did a feature on an American expat now living in Buenos Aries, Layne Mosler. She’s a freelance food writer and columnist for South American Explorer and a regular contributor to Time Out Buenos Aires. Here’s her unique angle: She’ll hop in a Buenos Aires cab, ask the driver to drop her off at his (the driver’s) favorite restaurant, and then she’ll eat there and write a review of it. She considers this the best way to learn about all of the hidden, great places to eat in the Argentine capital. If you’re visiting Buenos Aries and looking for an insider’s scoop on where to eat, check out her blog at www.taxigourmet.com. It’s very interesting.

--Scott Mathis

Just got back from Algodon Wine Estates…

I had a nice visit in San Rafael last week. A lot great things are happening now; our Director of Project Development, Tourism & Hospitality, Diego Coll Benegas, had lunch with the president of Argentina, Cristina Kirchner, at the Bodegas de Argentina Annual Harvest. He was there representing Algodon Wine Estates, and his invitation to the event was an honor to our project. It says much about our standing as a significant presence among Mendoza’s best and most well-regarded wineries.

While I was there, we also had an exciting groundbreaking celebration for the Algodon Wine Estates/Clerc Tennis Academy. It was a great day for everyone. There was a big turnout with local press and a literal who’s-who of municipal and local government figures that came to show their support. José Luis’ is always very generous and gracious with his fans, and his celebrity always brings out scores of admirers at these events, which is great for our public relations.

You can read more about both of these events in the Algodon Newsletter, which should be out next week or so.

--Scott Mathis