Welcome to LA FIESTA DE LA VENDIMIA!
Once a year, during a whole week, the Mendoza Province is the center of attention in Argentina. Needless to say that Mendoza is the most important province in the Argentine Wine Making Industry, but is very important to point out that during the first days of March, the whole province turns into a massive party where the locals and people from all over the country gather to celebrate the beginning of the new harvest. Since 1936, this festival had an outstanding success and it has been improving year after year. In this province of the Cuyo region, the celebrations during harvest time are part of the popular folklore, which manages to bring winemakers and all those who work at the vines to the rest of society.
The Central Act of La FIESTA DE LA VENDIMIA
A whole week where the people pays tribute to the amazing sun, food and wines from Mendoza. Parades are held on the main streets of the city where the most beautiful ladies of each of the 17 departments that integrate the Province can be seen to determine who will be this year’s “Reina de la Vendimia” (Queen of the harvest). The Mendocinos take this competition seriously and each Queen has all their department supporting her with banners and flags and songs. The contest to pick the winner takes place during the central act of La Fiesta de la Vendimia this next March 7th.
The first show is on March 1st, where the act of “Bendición de los Frutos” (Blessing of the Fruits) starts. A party to celebrate the labor of all the people that works in the Wine Making Industry. A very nice gathering of locals to bless the vines. This first celebration is at the beautiful Parque General San Martin (Mendoza’s most beautiful general park), just a few minutes away from downtown.
The festivities continue at the Angel Bustelo Auditory on March 3rd. On this night, at 8.30 PM an event called “Vendimia Gourmet” (Gourmet Vintage) will be held. It consists in enjoying a massive Wine Tasting where anyone (above 18 years old, of course) can enjoy several of different labels of the different wine regions in the province plus fabulous samples of the gastronomy of the province. A great occasion to try the finest Malbec in the World. The Best Of Mendoza´s Wine Tourism 2015 winners will have different stands for everyone to taste the best of Mendoza’s food and wines. The evening finale will have local artists and other surprises!
March 6th: VIA BLANCA DE LAS REINAS ( White Way of the Queens)
White Way of the Queens
A night tour through the downtown streets of the city. Representatives of each of the departments of Mendoza, ornate carriages along the main arteries of the city. Of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to try the different delicacies of the most delicious street food in the province “Empanadas Cuyanas”, you must try them!
Starts at 9 PM in the cross of the streets San Martin and Colon, passing the main artery of the city until Av. Las Heras. Thence westward to Chile and there southbound to Av. Sarmiento.
March 7th. • Carousel
Different chariots representing each department with their Queens and their princesses, parade with folklore bands and gaucho groups through the streets of the City.
THE CAROUSEL
The show is scheduled from the Fuente de Los Continentes and Av. Los Platanos to Caballitos de Marly, at the Gates of the Park. From there it will enter the Av. Boulogne Sur Mer south to Aristides Villanueva.
In this artery is rotated east to Belgrano, then taking north to Av. Sarmiento then rotate Street east to Chile. There takes up north to Av. Las Heras, where turns east to Av. San Martin to take further north and decentralize in street Alameda de Alberdi .
Without a doubt a parade not just to enjoy the show but also it is a splendid city tour leaded by locals ;).
Finally, at 10 PM that night the central act starts and the 8, 9 and 10 March there will be repetitions of the inaugural show plus different music bands will give a concert each day at the Greek Theater Romero Day. AXEL, a pop star singer on the first repetition, CIRO Y LOS PERSAS national rock band on the 9th and ROMEO SANTOS the Bachata Sensation, closing the festival.
Of course, this Festival is not just shows and parades. All the wineries and restaurants will be ready to receive tourists from the all over the country and the whole planet eager to have some of the best food and wine in Argentina. So prepare yourselves to enjoy amazing Tasting Menus with wines in different restaurants at ridiculous prices, plus free and very inexpensive wine tastings at the infinite number of wineries that you can find on the Wine Road of Mendoza.
Me myself, I am definitely gonna be there, I will leave my Professional Sommelier colleagues here at Anuva to keep hosting the most interesting Buenos Aires Wine Tastings and head to the land of the Sun and the great wine to have some of the best Chivito and Malbec in the country. Mendoza wait for me! I am coming!
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