|
Opened in 2004
and set in the centre of the Zuccardi's delightful Maipu vineyards,
this is Argentina's only winery-situated restaurant open 365 days of
the year. The venture is now regularly attracting gastronomic and
vino-tourists from eighteen different countries. Of these, an
impressive 20.5% in 2006 were from six European countries - England,
Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Slovenia.
Offering
between 70 and 80 covers at any one sitting, the restaurant has
surpassed even the enthusiastic predictions of owner José
Alberto, 'I am amazed that nearly one quarter of our international
customers came from as far away as central Europe. Like our wines,
our menu is the best that Argentina has to offer and we are delighted
that so many people have found it to their taste.'
All of the
Zuccardi chefs are from local families and so asados (wood-fired
grills) and regional foods are key to keeping the focus authentically
Argentine - right down to the olive oil produced by José
Alberto's youngest son Miguel.
But the
Zuccardis also bring in top chefs from Buenos Aires to teach their
own chefs new techniques and new dishes, reflecting their passion for
quality and innovation - as practiced in their vineyards. This
dedication to developing the skills in their workforce is part of the
company's on-going commitment to education that also inspired the
construction of a school for their worker's children.
Restaurant
Zuccardi offers visitors three distinct dining experiences. The
Seasonal Menu presently includes dishes such as roast goat terrine
with polenta and fresh tomatoes - matched with the estate's Santa
Julia Reserva Malbec. The Regional Menu encompasses the real taste of
Mendoza with locally inspired dishes. Examples include a starter of
miniature meat, onion and cheese empanadas (pies) that is
quintessentially Argentine; hand-made and baked in the restaurant's
own clay ovens. The Tasting Menu changes according to the season with
dishes created to compliment the Zuccardi's most important wines.
Regional salads, vegetables and fruits accompany the locally supplied
beef and poultry dishes.
|
