Argentina’s renowned female winemaker, Susana Balbo, has opened her first hotel, SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, in the famed wine region of Mendoza. After four decades dedicated to the wine industry and international recognition, Susana Balbo created the bespoke estate and luxury boutique hotel with her daughter, Ana Lovaglio Balbo. The newest luxury hotel in Mendoza features a sense of place and the hostesses’ authentic wine roots in everything from design, décor, and setting to culinary experiences, art, wellness, and nature. It’s also about exclusivity. Guests will feel like staying in a private estate, where Susana and Ana become hosts for travelers who want to experience their culture and wines. Seven spa suites feature fully integrated in-room spa features and services, including a steam room, sensations shower, and massage table. Four of the seven suites are also equipped with a dry sauna. La Vida restaurant features Argentinian cuisine that exudes bold flavors with high-quality ingredients, a Chef’s Table with open-flame cooking, and signature wine cocktails. Inspired by Susana Balbo’s long history with wine,
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites now offers guests curated journeys of Mendoza’s finest wineries by Susana Balbo’s renowned family. Guests can immerse themselves in bespoke wine itineraries recommended by Susana Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker; her son and third-generation winemaker, José Lovaglio Balbo; and her daughter, hotelier and wine tourism marketer Ana Lovaglio Balbo. As one of the pioneering winemaking families in Mendoza, the curation of these handpicked wine routes and the family’s connections to them allow guests to get up close with the history and philosophy of each winery. This unique offering enhances the luxury boutique hotel’s blend of culinary experiences, art, wellness, and nature, providing visitors with an enriching and immersive wine exploration opportunity.
The recommended wineries were carefully chosen based on Susana’s and her family’s unique knowledge of the region, personal connections, and each winery’s ability to provide a diverse and enriching experience. The wineries are separated into categories:
- Rising Stars of Winemaking, showcasing the next generation of innovators;
- Innovative Wineries pushing the boundaries of traditional winemaking;
- Wineries with History steeped in rich heritage;
- Women in Wine, celebrating female pioneers;
- Green Wineries, committed to sustainable practices; and,
- Hidden Gems offers unique and lesser-known experiences.
Internationally renowned wineries offer a taste of Mendoza’s legacy as part of the wineries with history route. Susana herself was involved in significant projects at some of these iconic locations, impacting their development. Eco-conscious visitors will appreciate green wineries, where innovative sustainable practices take center stage. These wineries combine traditional techniques with biodynamic principles, producing environmentally friendly and richly flavored wines. Among the rising stars are wineries led by close friends of Susana and her family, who share a deep bond and a history of collaboration, adding a personal touch to each experience.
Guests can look forward to experiencing these curated routes in picturesque vineyard settings, accompanied by personalized tours that delve into the winemaking process, the stories behind each label, exclusive tastings of reserve vintages, and more anecdotal stories about the close-knit winemaking community and Susana’s family’s profound personal and professional impact. Each wine tour is tailored to guests’ interests and preferences by the hotel’s dedicated Experience Manager. Guests can arrange their wine tours either before their stay or upon arrival. The Experience Manager will discuss their interests, share the family’s recommendations, and create a personalized route for visiting each guest. All arrangements, including bookings and setups, are handled on the guests’ behalf, allowing them to relax and enjoy their custom wine-tasting journey simply. Winery tours include tastings, a guide, all transportation, and paired lunches at winery restaurants. Private visits to each winery are also available.
Art in sculptures, woodwork, and mixed media can be found from twenty local artists around the property and in the rooms. A lounge bar, wine cellar with top Argentine and global wines, heated swimming pool, shop with local artisanal products, and tasting room complete the SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites. With the Experience Curator’s help, guests can explore the region near and far. Guests can also take advantage of all the additional wine and food experiences at the nearby Susana Balbo bodega. For more information, visit: susanabalbohotels.com.
