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San Juan
Arriving early we set off to the creatively named San Juan Hostel, an older place with parts that are redone. Eg. Bad old pillows with new super soft blankets. The staff are great and gave us Internet and breakfast which was so appreciated. Also $3 for 2 loads of washing so we were very happy!!! The owner really wanted us to visit this nearby lake, he said it in every sentance or option. We were trying to work out the best way to do the southern wineries and he would tell us of first busses to the lake but later tours to a winery, the city and; the lake.
We decided to pack some lunch and public bus it. 16 for ages, 45 minutes and then walk down a dirt road which is the included photo of Sarah on a dirt road. Either side of us were ruins of houses and house that looked like ruins. The books and guides warned us that San Juan is not as developed as Mendoza, we were a long way from the face of Argentina. The first winery we were shown around in Spanish by a lovely old man who also the sole owned and worker. Very interesting tour with the 70cm thick adobe walls and huge facilities within the ground. The Syrah and Malbec were amazing wines and at under $5 we bought a Syrah (signature wine of San Juan). We headed back a kilometre or two to our second winery which is also a museum. Possibly the nicest and well spoken (in Spanish) person we have come across. Tour of the old process and cellars were really interesting and after we were given very generous samples of eight wines, including three desert wines. He also let us eat lunch here while he went to work.
The next winery and olive farm was 6km away, with no bus option. We walked a while with our thumb out till we were picked up and taken about 3km. This made the walk in the sun so much easier. After eating almost a jar of olives we purchased a jar and left to go to a big winery. I think walking might not send the wine connoisseur vibes out and the survive was crap. We tried 8 there (feeling nice now as the give large tastings in Argentina) and picked up a Rose-Syrah mix. This lady offered us the worst crackers I think I have ever sampled, seriously I would rather eat a coaster.
We waited 45 minutes for a bus and upon giving up to start walking it turns up. A long trip back standing on a hot bus which I think is the 'after work pick up' service for the locals from San Juan.
A really successful day with visiting the lake. Also with a tour price over $170ARG pp and our busses, lunch, tasting and purchases adding up to under $120ARG total, we think we won. Cheers San Juan
- comments
Dad Sounds like a very different but fun way to go wine tasting. Not sure about the thongs for extended walking! Maybe you were eating the coasters rather than the crackers after the generous samples? What does $1ARG mean in $Aus terms?
andrew i wish i ate the coasters, they were fresher i think. $1aud is $5arg, so the whole tour was $34 each aus