We believe in the freedom to explore at your own speed, the flexibility to create an itinerary of your choice, and the ability to uncork as you go. We do not offer pre-set packages and tours. We believe in taking the time to get to know you, your interests, and travel necessities in order to design your ideal trip. With 8 years in the wine industry, we are very knowledgeable of our surrounding wineries and have cultivated exclusive connections in the industry.

We can put you in contact with our famous winemakers, photographers, chefs, and more. Your custom-built itinerary paired with our continual guidance throughout your stay, will guarantee long lasting memories. Travel with a twist...and come Uncork Argentina!

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+ Our Itineraries

Lujan de Cuyo, Pure Pleasure and Personality. Perfect.

We believe this itinerary is rock solid, featuring a group of diverse wineries (shape and size) as well as a welcoming team to introduce you to the lay of the land. Delight in the varied treats from wines to bubbles to chocolate!

We will meet you in the lobby at 8.45 am to welcome you.

At 9 am our driver will pick you up to start a tour to one of the most important wine regions of Argentina.

The first visit is Mendel Winery, where you will enjoy the warm hospitality of a charming boutique winery and estate vineyard. Swirl well crafted Malbecs and Cabernets and learn about the talented winemaking team.

At 11:00 am you'll arrive to Altavista Winery, a centennial building loaded with the latest technology. Wine production continues to increase as this successful start-up diversifies its portfolio. Taste delicious varietals and sip top blends.

At noon, we break out the bubbles. Sip sparkling wine and pair them with five different small plates for a fun and interactive light lunch accompanied by local chef.

Continue your wine experience in a cutting edge family winery, Pulenta Estate, located in Southern Luján de Cuyo. Indulge in a wine and chocolate pairing while learning about the family's vision and love for tinkering with new winemaking gadgets.

Return to your hotel around 5 pm.

We enjoy building fun days in the wine country and can design a perfect day for you. Visit our build it section or ask to book this perfect tour!

US $140, based on a group of 4.

Uco Valley, Rugged Mountains, Asado and Wine.

In addition to wine, Mendoza offers wonderful outdoor recreation in the most scenic sites. This program is ideal for the "foodies" intrigued by the vastness of the Uco Valley wine region while still getting in a good hike in the Andes.

Join two prominent locals, a chef and a sommelier, for a full day Uco Valley experience combining mountain treks and gourmet food. Our chef and host, will meet you at 8 am to take you through a very scenic road to the heart of the Uco Valley. On the way there you will share one of our fondest customs: drinking mate and eating tortitas.

At around 10.30 you will begin walking to a natural water fall in the mountains. The trail you will be taking heads west on the way to Chile. On clear days you will have superb views of the Andes and the chance of admiring the immensity in the company of yourselves only.

For lunch, you will have a mountain asado or gourmet pic nic on the mountain top with wine and homemade bread. After lunch, relax and return to the trail head at your own pace.

Around 4:00 visit an impressively large scale winery in the heart of the Uco Valley. In this private tour, you will learn how Salentein Winery represents the new face of Argentine wine, bring together the expression of the wine, art and culture.

Return to Mendoza City around 7 pm.

+ Testimonials

Not a day goes by that we don't look back on our experience in Argentina with absolute happiness. It was truly magical and cosmic --as you so aptly phrased it and we owe much of that to you and your special touches. Everything was absolutely perfect and so easy -- and the memories will last a lifetime. We feel so lucky to have met you, Pedro, Gilda, Martine, Silvio, Diego, Max and Carmen.

-Jiri Vala, January 2010

"This email finds me back into full crazy mode of Bs. As. and wanting to be back in Mendoza for sure! What a fantastic trip and a fantastic place!!!! You have our referral for sure! Our trip was perfect and you had so many different needs to accommodate. Please tell Gilda, Norman, Ramon, Tito (all at Argentina Rafting), Christian, Marcela, Eduardo (Jerome brewery) and especially Felipe that we so enjoyed what each of them did for us. You have quite the network of people in Mendoza and Jonathan and I were inspired by the entrepreneurship and innovation."

-Heather Howell, April 2010

Uncorking Argentina planned a great wine touring day for me in Mendoza. Unfortunately, a daylong delay with my US airline connection resulted in my wine touring day needing to be rearranged on very short notice. UA went out of its way to put together an alternative program on a different day, and even assisted me with visiting a winery in Chile on another day so that I wouldn't have any down time upon my belated arrival in South America. The level of service I received in this regard was outstanding (and the alternative program still featured wonderful wineries) and made me thankful that I chose Uncorking Argentina.

-Richard Stockton, January 2010

"Just returned from Mendoza. As an English speaking self-confessed wine geek, I could not give higher praise to Carolyn Gallagher, owner of www.uncorkingargentina.com. I was interested in the wineries that have the involvement of international wine consultants and the itinerary she developed on incredibly short notice was eye-popping. She seems to know everybody and when you are with her the doors to these "appointment only" places fly open. We blended or own cuvee of Malbec at Renaácer. We even visited Viñas Cobos, the producer of arguably Argentina's most coveted (and hard to find or taste) wine. Carolyn is originally from Sacramento, but now lives in Mendoza and trains winery workers in the language of English winery tourism offering courses as well. Carolyn’s knowledge of local history, geography, climate, soil, personalities, cuisine, and the like is encyclopedic. For a geek like me, it was heaven "in the land of Malbec"."

-Pabstravel (TripAdvisor), September 2008

"Que placer el haberte conocido, realmente mejor experiencia que la que vivimos contigo imposible. Mil gracias por todas tus atenciones y puedes tener por seguro que regresamos a conocer nuevas vinas. Nos despedimos por ahora con un gran cariño” “What a pleasure to have met you, really its impossible to top the experience that we lived with you. Many thanks for all your attention and you can be assured that we will return to see the newest vineyards. We say goodbye for now with great love"

-Mary y Carlos, April 2009

"I want to strongly endorse Carolyn Gallagher of "Uncorking Argentina" as the premier culture/wine guide of Mendoza. We just returned from an amazing week in Mendoza during the 2009 Vendimia Festival. If your reason to travel is to connect with locals who will treat you as family and share their passion for the country and region they love, then I hope you will accept our recommendation and contact Carolyn of Uncorking Argentina. We were fortunate to find Uncorking Argentina. Carolyn designed an amazing few days of private wine tours, local restaurants and she personally accompanied us to the festival concert to translate. Carolyn has a unique perspective being an American who has been adopted by the new country that she loves. She was able to get us access to many wineries and events where only the locals would go. I cannot believe that any other guide in Mendoza can offer more benefits to help you enjoy the wine, culture and history of this special place. There are so many wonderful activities in Mendoza. Thanks to Uncorking Argentina and Conalbi Grinberg Casa Vinicola (our accommodation), we have become part of the family and we will be back soon".

Lou Ray (TripAdvisor), April 2009

"We are back in New York and just wanted to thank Carolyn for the very special trip she made for us in Mendoza. All three of us had a wonderful time in that spectacular scenery, meeting locals, touring and tasting wine and, of course, cooking in those charming classes. In particular, the class at Divina Marga on the last day was perfect, including weather, beautiful surroundings, chef Carlos and hostess Mica and the simply delicious food. Drew very much appreciated the birthday cake you arranged for him. Drivers Felipe and Martin and guide Marcela were wonderful and integral parts of the experience. Her choices of vineyards proved exceptional for our tastes.
In short, perfecto. We are anxious to tell our friends about Uncorking Argentina and hope they will come to enjoy Carolyn’s hospitality and the beautiful country. We look forward to returning very soon. "

-Judy, Kim and Drew Davis, March 2009

"We wanted to thank Carolyn again for making our trip so memorable. We truly felt like a “local” during our time in Mendoza. She introduced us to many new friends and we look forward to our return. "

-Louis Ray, March 2009

"Thanks for a great trip. Marcela was great. Whitewater rafting and ziplining was awesome. Just very thankful for Carolyn's assistance in bringing it all together."

- Adam Dumey, March 2009

"Uncorkingargentina.com is run by a transplanted Californian who has a deep knowledge of wine and friends throughout the local wine country—a 'wine educator' whose trips are informative, in depth, and fun. Each tour package is customized, and wine tours can be combined with cooking classes, spa days, and adventure tours. "

-Frommer’s Guide Argentina, First Edition 2007

+ Our Working Style

We view ourselves as contributors who partner with you to enhance the value of your trip.

We listen — getting to know you, your travelling style, and giving you the opportunity to know us.

We learn — understanding your needs and what you're trying to achieve while in Mendoza.

We explore — the most fascinating locals, full of hidden talent, to create unique and rewarding experiences for you.

We put the right team in place — bringing together winemakers, chefs, photographers, naturalists with the appropriate mix of skills and experience — to enhance your visit.

We build — establishing a clear set of parameters and pricing in order to present a final proposal.

Our working style builds the foundation for a satisfying collaboration for everyone involved. We believe it accounts for the warm relationships we've maintained with many of our clients.

+ Our Team

Carolyn Gallagher: Owner/CEO, Guide, Uncorking Argentina

Carolyn Gallagher is a wine educator, language teacher, adventurer and tango dancer who lives in Mendoza with her young family. A native of California, she was trained in Geography and Linguistics at the University of California Santa Barbara. She returns to California often, with an eye out for new food, wine and lifestyle trends.

In Mendoza’s wine industry, Carolyn teaches customized Wine Language English seminars to wine professionals, helping them communicate with a worldwide fan base. Her clients include (EAS) La Escuela Argentina de Sommelier, Wine Institute, and Arrayanes. Her foodie adventures have also led her to help local chefs translate restaurant menus into English. Carolyn is married to Martin Moreno, founder/owner of Argentina Rafting, and still enjoys the rush of whitewater. Between excursions, she tirelessly scouts out the best restaurants, hot springs, galleries and new local bands on the Mendoza scene.

Gilda Fuentes

Gilda is from Cordoba, Argentina, and just like Carolyn and Alison, chooses Mendoza as her home. Ten years ago, she received a degree in Tourism and traveled South America working for GAP Adventures as a tour leader. Later, she completed a Masters Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management in Barcelona, Spain and returned to Argentina. Gilda has extensive experience as a concierge and operations coordinator in five stars hotels in Patagonia.

After many years and many miles, Gilda returns to Mendoza, where fond memories of her first job working in a Youth Hostel and old friendships (meeting Carolyn) were strong enough to bring her back.

Gilda enjoys life in Mendoza, because of its weather, its people and its wines!

+ Mission, Vision, Values

MISSION

Uncorking Argentina introduces clients to the magic of Mendoza’s wine country. We tap into our deep roots in the community to create a valued experience for clients, resulting in lifelong memories and relationships. We celebrate the feast of Mendoza’s community, culture, agricultural economy and natural setting, and create a place at the table for our clients.

VISION

Uncorking Argentina promotes a deep pleasure and understanding among visitors to Mendoza, a world wine destination with rich history and culture.

Uncorking Argentina provides new opportunities and exposure for the wealth of local talent, including winemakers, chefs, artists, athletes and entrepreneurs.

Uncorking Argentina brings together people of different backgrounds to share a common admiration for wine & food & adventure & art.

Uncorking Argentina succeeds as a Marketplace leader through dynamic collaboration: stimulating positive cultural and professional exchange with every interaction. Our relationships are what set us apart.

Uncorking Argentina succeeds as a Workplace leader by building a community of exceptional, wine-savvy, bilingual professionals who, individually and collectively, contribute to, and receive from, this fun organization.

VALUES

Integrity: to always conduct oneself with honesty and fairness

Inclusion: to welcome people from all backgrounds in the workplace and community

The grandma rule: to treat everyone the way you would want your grandma to be treated

Be your best: to be the best professionally and personally while enjoying life and having fun

Give back to the community: a portion of every wine tour sale is donated to a charity scholarship program for children of vineyard workers to study English in Tupungato, Uco Valley.