New Nine Holes

The new nine holes are certainly coming together, and soon our 18-hole course will be up-and running, adding to our reputation as the first golf course in Argentina to be surrounded by vineyards. (Though we’ll soon have to change our boast to; “We’re the first combined championship golf course, and championship tennis center, and championship polo center in Argentina to be surrounded by vineyards…”) Golfers will literally play through vineyards, walnut, pear and olive orchards, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Sierra Pintada Mountains with the Andes as its backdrop. The goal is to create a course that blends with the existing vineyards, indigenous plants, and topography so that it appears as one with the landscape. The design team has opted for a noninvasive approach by allowing the new course to “grow into” its surrounding, and once complete it should reflect a harmonious synergy with the natural beauty of its surroundings. The green will be 7,400 yards from the tips, and will be a challenge for the low handicapper; yet the 5 different tee boxes make the course accessible to the entire family. Again, the entire 18-hole course will be open for play in May, 2009, but in the meantime the original nine holes are still open for play. Summer will be starting soon in Argentina, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of visitors, especially with the press we’ve been getting lately. Check out this media mention; Algodon Wine Estates Barrel Ownership Program. --Scott Mathis

San Rafael!

San Rafael is a city located in the southern heart of Mendoza, and is home to our premiere boutique winery, and wine and golf estate development, Algodon Wine Estates. I love San Rafael. It has a European countryside appeal that includes sidewalk cafés, tree-lined roads, green spaces, vineyards and wineries, museums, and all kinds of neighboring resorts and lodges. The city sees over 300 days of annual sunshine. And even though this is a quaint and quite city, it’s experiencing a full upswing of economic, cultural, and demographic expansion. While I’m sure the development of Algodon Wine Estates certainly plays a factor in that, this expansion was happening before we even got there. The city is also home to a branch of one of Argentina’s leading universities. And with the Sierra Pintada and Andes Mountains right there as its backdrop, the region is very family friendly offering plenty of things to do. The Rio Atuel and Rio Diamante, which surround the city, are two of Argentina’s most exciting natural attractions. These offer white water rafting, canoeing, camping, horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, recreational fishing, and just about anything else you can think of. Valle Grande, which is Argentina’s miniature answer to The Grand Canyon, is also only 20 miles away. Las Leñas, one of the greatest ski resorts on the entire South American continent, is also right there. And since a major airport is just 10 minutes away from Algodon Wine Estates, getting there is a breeze.

--Scott Mathis

Viñas del Golf

Algodon Wine Estates’ first incarnation was a much smaller-scaled wine and golf resort called Viñas del Golf. We’ve retained the name for the golf course, at present. It was named after José Jurado, who was Argentina’s #1 golfer during the sport’s Golden Age, and is probably the most recognized figure in Argentinean golf history. José is considered “The father of Argentine Professional Golf.” It’s his grandson, Ricky, who created the estate (with his father, Ricardo) and who is still an active partner and voice in the evolution of the estate. Ricky and his father founded Argentina’s largest golf equipment business and embarked on a personal journey to combine two of their life passions: wine and golf. Thus “Viñas del Golf”; 741 acres (of magnificent landscape!) combining championship golf, world-class boutique wine production, and traditional Mendocinian (I know, it’s a new word for me too. It means “of Mendoza”; as in “Parisian” or “Italian”) structures and agricultural techniques. Those original 741 acres were eventually increased significantly when my companies partnered with Ricky and purchased adjacent properties, resulting in an increase of vineyards and other cultivatable areas, and an amazing addition of the neighboring desert hills. The expansion brought the total property to over 2,050 acres, and every new parcel offers spectacular views of the Sierra Pintadas as well as of the property itself. Believe it or not, creating the homesite offerings for this estate was more of an afterthought. Initially, I was thinking; “Wow, this is going to be a fantastic wine & golf resort…” Yet as more and more connecting acreage was purchased, it soon became evident that homesite offerings were the most logical next step. See you next week.

--Scott Mathis