FORKS & THE ROAD
Argentina’s Patagonia region is more than mountains and glaciers. In the northwest province of Neuquén along with the highest peak in Patagonia (the Domuyo), volcanoes and thermal waters, three rivers meet (the Neuquén, Negro and Limay) creating perfect conditions for growing all kinds of fruits, including grapes. Close to the city of Neuquén is the tourist “Route of Wine, Apples and Dinosaurs.” The Neuquén basin is a paradise for paleontologists: The bones of the biggest carnivore and largest herbivore dinosaurs in the world have been found here. This part of Patagonia is also home to the southernmost vineyards in the world, producing wines of intensity and strong character. Vineyards have been here for a hundred years and some wineries have very old vines still in production. When Bodega Familia Schroeder dug the ground to build their winery they found dinosaur fossils dated back 75 million years. Visitors to the winery can view the fossil find, sip on Saurus wines named in honour of these ancient creatures and dine at Saurus restaurant. Bodega Fin del Mondo offers guided tours on an elevated walkway especially built for tourists and an “experience your own harvest” during harvest season. At NQN, the Malma restaurant under Chef Matías Nuñez serves up Patagonia specialties such as local trout and lamb paired with their champagne method Malma Extra Brut, strawberry scented Finca La Papay Pinot Noir and rich, bold, ripe berry malbecs from Fin del Mondo and NQN. neuquentur.gob.ar