Nestled at the feet of the towering Andes Mountains with more than 320 days of sunshine each year, Mendoza is a region defined by wine, much the way Bordeaux or Napa is. After all, it’s the world’s fourth largest wine producing region. Mendoza, however, is more than vineyards and wine cellars. It’s a place that feels like a last frontier where the intensity of the sun is woven into every expression of the local DNA. With over 150,000 hectares of vineyards and 800+ wineries, tucked away in the heart of Pedriel in the Lujan de Cuyo district is Cavas Wine Lodge, a Relais & Chateaux property founded by Cecilia Diaz Chuit and her husband Martin Rigal in 2005. The first ‘wine lodge’ in Mendoza, Cavas started a life project that they brought to life through their relentless vision. Their presence, and passion, is the secret sauce that makes this property so magical–and sustainable in time. As many of you may have stayed in Cavas, or it’s on your list to check out, in this interview, Cecilia will take us behind the scenes of Cavas, a bit like visiting a hotelier friend in Mendoza. Grab your vinito and let’s go.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Cecilia’s upbringing lead her into travel and a career as a hotelier and entrepreneur.
• Mendoza in the early 2000s and how it has grown up as a wine region.
• How she and her husband found Cavas stunning location (vineyards! Andes! Minimalist architecture!) and why Argentine wine country geographically looks so different than other wine regions.
• What the secret is to really running a successful hotel.
• Anecdotes on life in Mendoza, Argentinian culture and love for the “asado”.

Resources:
Instagram: @cavaswinelodge
Website: www.cavaswinelodge.com