Nestled within picturesque vineyards and rolling hills, wineries offer more than just exquisite wines. Many of these estates boast culinary excellence, hosting restaurants that have garnered prestigious awards such as Michelin stars or placements in the renowned 50 Best Restaurants list. Join us on a tantalizing journey as we explore the symbiotic relationship between winemaking and fine dining, uncovering the hidden gems where wine and gastronomy intertwine to create unforgettable experiences.
The Fusion of Wine and Gastronomy
Wine has long been celebrated as a complement to fine dining, enhancing flavours and elevating culinary experiences. Wineries with restaurants take this synergy to new heights, seamlessly blending the art of winemaking with culinary mastery.
These establishments offer not only an opportunity to savour exceptional wines but also to indulge in meticulously crafted dishes that showcase local produce, culinary innovation, and a deep appreciation for gastronomy.
Casa Vigil: A Gastronomy Heaven
In January of this year, we had the incredible opportunity to visit Casa Vigil, a recently awarded Michelin-starred restaurant. It was an amazing experience to dine at Casa Vigil, where Ivan Azar head chef curates a menu that harmonizes with the brand’s finest wines. Each dish is a culinary masterpiece, reflecting both creativity and respect for tradition.
Casa Vigil, the brainchild of wine virtuoso Alejandro Vigil, acclaimed as the “Messi of Wine,” is literally located in the backyard of his house and offers an immersive culinary experience amidst rural splendour. Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, the restaurant in Maipu surprises with its setting, embodying a journey from struggle to paradise, mirrored in Vigil’s El Enemigo wine brand.Â
The experience at Casa Vigil started with a guided tour through the vineyard, passing through vegetable garden that supplies the kitchen, and the circles Dante’s hell. The entrance, pointed by the famous angel and devil sculptures, followed by the ‘hell’ where an underground red-lighted cellar showcase Osvaldo Chiavazza’s art. Next, an image of the Virgen de la Carrodilla guided us to the Purgatory; and finally, we ascended to the glass windowed restaurant. Here, we had a 7-course dinner set up for us, paired with 14 wines – literally heaven on earth.Â
It was incredible fun to discover the meticulously crafted menus showcasing Mendoza’s seasonal bounty. Each dish was carefully paired with two El Enemigo line grape varieties, which sparked an entertaining conversation with the sommeliers on our preferences and the feelings each wine evoked. From the whites El Enemigo Chardonay to the Torrontes, each had a great way of pairing with different dishes, enhancing the experience, without overpowering it. – I’m a declared Torrontes fan after this trip to Mendoza.
Every dish was incredibly well presented, paired and savoured. Nevertheless, being in Mendoza means to have a proper culinary meat fest, which is exactly what we felt once the rib dish arrived. Cooked for 12 hours, with a vegetable and Cabernet Franc reduction, it was not shy on flavour or size; paired with Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2019 from El Cepillo subregion, with its distinctives red fruit, bell pepper, and mineral notes. It was just the cherry on top to the amazing night!Â
The last course was a chocolate and tangerine dessert, accompanied with a very fresh LoSance Brut Nature, a floral and yeasty sparkling made from Chardonnay and Chennin Blanc, it was the perfect culmination to the evening. On the way back to the parking, we passed by the luminated vines one last time, feeling we were under a starry sky at a winery. A magical experience from start to finish, that unfortunately had to end. The good news is that the way back to Mendoza is only 20 mins drive.Â
As we say farewell to this gastronomic sanctuary, we could only keep on discussing the flavours, the wines, the food pairing and the exquisite ambience of Casa Vigil, on our way back to Mendoza.Â
But fear not, for our journey through the world of wine and fine dining is far from over. Stay tuned to our blog for captivating narratives and exclusive glimpses into winery restaurants offering. Join us as we continue to celebrate the marriage of food, wine, and artistry, one extraordinary experience at a time.