This data was provided by the third report of "Turismo Vitivinícola de Argentina 2008" (2008 Argentinian Wine Tourism) carried out by Bodegas de Argentina. Besides, according to the research, the growth from 2004 to 2008 was of 142%. In this article WineSur provides readers with the most relevant data about wine tourism in the country.

WineSur had the chance to visit Cruz de Piedra winery, located in Maipú, Mendoza. The winery’s history, its modern and warm facilities, as well as its gentle wines, turned the visit into a very special day.

The offer of cuisine places on the wine road has increased substantially during the last year and is emerging as an excellent option for wine tourists to match excellent food with great wines. Know the wine tourism offer.

Part of Área del Vino’s team visited Atamisque Winery, located in the heart of the Uco Valley, in Mendoza. The unforgettable experience included a tour through the vineyards, wine tasting in the cellar and an exquisite lunch in its restaurant called “Rincón Atamisque”.

Two articles published by Financial Times, the UK prestigious financial morning paper, tell about the goodness of Mendoza, a region highly chosen as tourist destination, and the possibilities for investing in this land.

The Calchaquí Valleys circuit is the ideal tour since nature and history are combined in a unique way to the tourist’s delight.

Once again, a prestigious publication chose Mendoza and Argentina’s wine tourism areas as a must-visit place for wine lovers. WineSur offers an overview of the chosen regions and the selected Malbec list published by Newsweek.

As a consequence of the world crisis, the wineries are seeking to offer innovative programs to attract tourists. A drop in wine tourism numbers is expected for the 2009 summer season.

Planned as a tourist circuit, the San Juan Wine Route has become one of the most traditional options for visitors. Fifteen wineries integrate the tour and offer very different programs, from organic wine production to sparkling wines elaborated at the very heart of the mountain.

It is a super exclusive boutique hotel seeking to position itself as the first “Hotel Champagnerie” of Argentina. WineSur offers a magical tour around its history and facilities.

Besides the traditional guided tour, several Argentinian wineries offer unique programs aimed at immersing visitors in the world of wine aromas, or combining wine tourism with astronomy, paleontology or sport. In this wine tourism special, WineSur features four innovative options offered by wineries in Mendoza and Neuquén provinces.

There are many Argentinian wineries that see wine as deeply related to art. In this article, WineSur presents some examples of wineries that have their own Art Galleries and others whose facilities are home to original art pieces.

Brazil is one of the three major markets for Argentinian wine exports. Its proximity has made its grow in importance. Hence, an event sought to promote Argentinian wines among Brazilians and to attract more Brazilian tourists to the country to outweigh the effects of the crisis.

There are several museums dedicated to the recovery of the origins of the national wine industry, where the stories and technology of its founders are exhibited. WineSur presents some of the outstanding wine museums in different regions of the country.

Last week, the best tourism services of Mendoza were awarded by the Great Wine Capitals Network. Wineries, restaurants and wine tourism companies participated in the awards ceremony held at the Sheraton Hotel Mendoza. Find out about the results in this feature.

WineSur features three new gastronomy options in Mendoza´s Wine Routes. In this issue, the focus is on three wineries offering restaurant services in three different wine regions in Mendoza province: the Central Valley, the Uco Valley and the Southern Region.

In this issue, we feature some of the major gastronomical options offered by the wineries of the famed Luján de Cuyo area, in Mendoza. They convey an ideal match between wine tourism and cuisine, framed by stunning landscapes.

Over 2,000 people enjoyed the new wine tourism program of Mendoza province. Around 13 wineries offered different wine-related tango shows during two weekends.

Argentinian wineries have opened their doors for tourists to get to know them and have developed accommodation options (lodges, cabins, country houses, etc.) for guests to have an insider experience of the industry. In this first issue, find out about the accommodation of options available in Mendoza

Comprised by Las Heras, Lavalle and Guaymallén departments, this is a region with many and diverse attractions when it comes to tourism, grape-growing and winemaking.

Comprised by the departments of San Martín, Rivadavia and Junín, this valley is of the largest grape-growing territories in Mendoza. It offers great rural tourism option and for a while now it has been under a significant re-conversion of grapes and wineries aiming at the production of high quality wines.

According to a survey conducted by Bodegas de Argentina, winery visits in July grew by 20% compared to the same month of 2007. Nevertheless, some wineries commented that they had received fewer visitors.

The region comprised by the departments San Rafael, Malarg?ºe and General Alvear is an attractive tourism center where important grape-growing and winemaking activities are developed. It offers numerous options for adventure tourism, water and winter sports and wine tourism.

The president of the Great Wine Capitals network was in Mendoza and other Argentinian provinces, lecturing on several wine tourism seminars. In this interview, he talks about his vision of the development of local wine tourism.

In a cocktail organized by Bodegas de Argentina along with the Association of Hotel Owners, an agreement for the consulate body to promote the Wine Routes as an international tourism attraction was launched.

Mendoza´s Uco Valley is comprised by the departments of San Carlos, Tupungato and Tunuyán. The region offers numerous natural and historic tourism attractions, including a growing number of impressive new wineries open to visitors.

The San Juan Wine Route has become one of the most traditional options for San Juan visitors. Ten wineries integrate the tour and offer very different features and suggestions. From organic wines to sparkling wines elaborated at the very heart of the mountains, visitors have a good deal to see and taste.

It is organized by the Argentinian chapter of the Great Wine Capitals network. The fourth edition of this international contest was kicked off at ProMendoza´s meeting hall.

One of the most encouraging figures indicates that wine route visits increased by 118% within four years. In 2008, wine tourism is maintaining this promising profile.

The contrasting landscapes of this province located in the Northwestern region of Argentina combine indigenous and cultural traditions with the cultivation of diverse grape varieties such as Torrontés Riojana and Cabernet Sauvignon.

This Patagonian province whose landscapes combine beauty and diversity produces red and white varieties of high winemaking quality.

They spend millions in improving wine quality. Nevertheless, a new trend indicates that wine tourism among Argentinian wineries is also seeking to change and companies are investing to do so.

The number of tourists travelling the Wine Route and visiting Argentinian wineries is increasing year by year. For this reason, new projects are arising to render Argentinian wine tourism more attractive. Two interesting options are enriching the offer: wine tours by plane and by train.

The natural beauties of La Rioja province propose an attractive invitation to tourists. Cradle of a new distinct variety, Torrontés Riojano, the western province has around 8 thousand hectares of vineyards.

Over 80 thousand visitors crowded the province, exceeding the accommodation capacity. Wineries had to double their tour capacity. Those were the result of an outstanding week.

The Patagonian province is a new grape-growing and winemaking region, which awes visitors and keeps searching its own identity in the wine world, combining natural attractions and the potential to create unique wines.