A new art hotel has emerged in Mendoza, thanks to renowned winemaker Susana Balbo. Argentina’s first female winemaker unveiled SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites last year with her daughter, Ana Lovaglio Balbo. Mendoza is known not only for its culinary scene but now also for its narrow alleys and dense groves that house the workshops of local artists. Mendoza is a hub of talented painters, including plastic artist Sergio Roggerone.
Onsite, the boutique estate showcases artwork from 15 prominent Argentine and Brazilian artists, including the renowned photographer Sebastiao Salgado. Reflected throughout the hotel, most notably in an oversized expression at the hotel’s entrance, the Tree of Life is an ode to Balbo’s life story. Comprising seven components, it represents enological origins, entrepreneurship, and family values. Furthermore, each suite within the hotel is a testament to artistry. Featuring additional works by Julio Le Parc, Fernando Jereb, Enrique Testasecca Chiavazza, Guillermo Rigattieri, Martín Villalonga, Florencia Aise (known for her exports to the US), and Cristina Santander, among others, the hotel’s art spans from paintings and sculptures to handmade tapestries. Another highlight, SB Winemaker’s House is also home to “Colección de Miroirs” by Mendoza’s most acclaimed plastic artist, Julio Le Parc.
In the destination, SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites offers a range of creative experiences for guests to explore. From pottery with Ana Simionato, intimate visits to Sergio Roggerone’s atelier, and tours of historic La Cayetana, to meeting jewelry designer and visual artist Mariana Trípoli in her neighborhood studio, there are numerous ways to engage with the local art scene. Additionally, guests can visit the itinerant art gallery “La Casona” at Los Toneles, hone their creative skills at La Pausa’s plastic arts studio, or explore Galería Killka at the Uco Valley’s Bodega Salentein. Bodega Caro offers an art space named “La Nef.” and the hotel can arrange visits to the ateliers of collaborating artists shown here and at the hotel.
