Entre Cielos

Most wine-producing regions are known for their rustic style, their chateaux and farmhouses, and we do love a good farmhouse hotel. But we like a surprise as much as the next traveler. Entre Cielos is a working vineyard, producing Malbec a short distance outside the city of Mendoza, but it’s about as far from rustic as it gets. Arrive here and you’re greeted by a low-slung modernist structure in raw concrete, a Zumthor-esque monument where you’re probably expecting a ranch house. The effect is dramatic, to say the least.

Room categories are named after grades of wine, from Young up through Grand Cru. It’s more than a gimmick; the higher grades are not just bigger, but more ornate as well, the Young fairly stark in concrete and hardwood, the Gran Reserva and Cru adding richer textures, artworks and patterned textiles. And the Limited Edition is more than just some kind of presidential suite — it’s a self-contained pod on stilts that elevate it above the vineyard, with far-ranging views in every direction, including up, for an impressive panorama of the night sky.

The hammam and spa carry on in the same theme, the concrete and stone exercising a particularly calming influence. Meanwhile the fine dining restaurant serves a fusion of Mediterranean, Asian and local cuisine, while heartier fare is available in the straightforwardly named Beef Club — and all of it is accompanied by a wide selection of wines, from Mendoza and beyond.

How to get there:
Entre Cielos is located 13 miles from Mendoza and 17 miles from Gobernador Francisco Gabrielli International Airport. Transfers can be organized for USD80 round trip for up to 3 guests in a luxury car and USD120 round trip for up to 8 guests in a minivan.