SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites is a veritable mecca for oenophiles. It is located in Chacras de Coria, a small town on the edge of Mendoza near the Andes Mountains; an area known for world-class wines and olive oil heritage.
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In fact, ‘SB’ stands for Susana Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker who, along with her daughter, has opened up the family’s estate to guests seeking wine and wellness in equal measure. There’s a free-flowing selection of signature wines for guests to enjoy and each of the seven suites includes a steam room, sensations shower, and massage table. Opt for the in-suite Frutos De La Vid (meaning, ‘from the vine’) treatment — three blissful hours that include a grape seed body scrub, red wine mud wrap and a massage of your choosing.
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This week’s cocktail recipe, Oliva, pays homage to Mendoza’s vibrant spirit with the spotlight firmly on local flavors. It is served at SB Winemaker’s and the original recipe uses an artisanal gin from Luján de Cuyo, the neighborhood in Mendoza in which the boutique estate is located. The gin is macerated with Malbec grape raisins to create an aromatic base. It is then blended with olive oil from the region, creating a fresh and unique libation. The recipe also calls for a custom-made triple sec liqueur, crafted from orange peels, lime juice, pear juice, and grapefruit oil.
Oliva by SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites
– Gin: 1 oz (Preferably artisanal gin macerated with Malbec grape raisins)
– Cointreau: 3/4 oz
– Pear Juice: 1 oz
– Lime Juice: 3/4 oz
– Grapefruit Oleo: 0.5 oz
– Olive Oil: 0.5 oz (plus a few drops for garnish)
– Egg White: 1 tablespoon
Method
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Dry shake (without ice) to emulsify the egg white, creating a frothy texture. Add ice and shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a few drops of olive oil on top and an olive.