The winery of Susana Balbo, Argentina's first female winemaker and Torrontés pioneer. Boutique, refined, with one of Mendoza's most respected restaurants.
Susana Balbo was the first female winemaker to graduate in Argentina. World pioneer of Torrontés (the country's emblematic white grape) and international reference with leadership roles at Wines of Argentina. Her boutique winery in Agrelo combines feminine elegance, sophisticated wines and one of Mendoza's most respected restaurants: Osadía de Crear, run by her daughter. An intimate and refined visit, away from massive icons.
"A winery that feels more home than monumental architecture."
Discovery Wine Mendoza · conciergeSusana Balbo graduated as a winemaker in 1981, the first woman in Argentina to do so. She worked in Salta, where she became a world pioneer of premium Torrontés, then in Mendoza with Catena Zapata. In 1999 she founded her own winery in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo. She now chairs Wines of Argentina and is an international reference. Her children José and Ana lead the new generation: BenMarco (José) and Crios (the original line) expanded the portfolio to a broader audience without losing identity.
The winery works vineyards in Agrelo (limestone soils, 950 m), Paraje Altamira and Gualtallary (Uco Valley, 1,100-1,350 m), and Cafayate (Salta, 1,700 m) for Torrontés. This geographic diversity enables differentiated wines: elegant Luján Malbec, structured Uco Cabernet Franc and Torrontés with Salta's extreme altitude identity. It is a portfolio that runs Argentina from Andes to puna.
The Agrelo building is intimate and residential, away from monumentality. Small, with gardens, fountains and a top-tier restaurant — Osadía de Crear, run by her daughter Ana — where cuisine is designed in direct dialogue with each wine. The feel is family home before industrial winery.
The flagship. A Malbec with marked feminine signature: elegant, fresh, weightless.
Her son José's line. Uco Valley Cabernet Franc with structure and precision.
Argentina's great Torrontés ambassador. Aromatic, light, perfect.
A high-end Bordeaux blend. Very limited production.
Susana Balbo received the International Winemaker of the Year award from The Drinks Business in 2015. The Osadía de Crear restaurant regularly appears in lists of best winery restaurants worldwide. Her premium wines receive consistent 92-95 point scores in Wine Spectator, Decanter and James Suckling.
We coordinate the visit and lunch at Osadía de Crear within a private Luján de Cuyo wine tour. Given the restaurant's quality, this winery is usually the gastronomic moment of the day — we combine it with another visit more focused on production. Discover our luxury wine tour in Mendoza or explore the Luján de Cuyoregion.
