Susana 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.
Iconic winery · Luján de Cuyo
Visiting Susana Balbo Wines
The winery of Susana Balbo, Argentina's first female winemaker and Torrontés pioneer. Boutique, refined, with one of Mendoza's most respected restaurants.
Luján de Cuyo
The Land of Malbec
Private Tastings
Gourmet Lunch
Exclusive Transfer
All Inclusive at Wineries
Mendoza · Argentina
Luján de Cuyo
The Land of Malbec
Private Tastings
Gourmet Lunch
Exclusive Transfer
All Inclusive at Wineries
Mendoza · Argentina
Iconic winery · Luján de Cuyo
The first woman
who changed Argentine wine.
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 · conciergeHistory & legacy
The house, its origin.
Terroir & vineyards
The place makes the wine.
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.
Architecture & visit
The space where it happens.
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.
Iconic wines
The Susana Balbo line.
01
Susana Balbo Signature Malbec
The flagship. A Malbec with marked feminine signature: elegant, fresh, weightless.
02
BenMarco Cabernet Franc
Her son José's line. Uco Valley Cabernet Franc with structure and precision.
03
Crios Torrontés
Argentina's great Torrontés ambassador. Aromatic, light, perfect.
04
Brioso
A high-end Bordeaux blend. Very limited production.
Recognition
Awards & critique.
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.
Frequently asked
The questions we get most.
Does Susana Balbo personally host visits?
On special occasions yes, especially at dinners and VIP events. Standard visits are led by the winemaking team, all trained directly by her.
How much is lunch at Osadía de Crear?
The tasting menu with pairing is high-end. Discovery Wine handles the booking and day coordination — we quote based on your date and group.
Is this visit better for foodies than for wine enthusiasts?
Excellent for both. But the restaurant raises the gastronomic experience to the level of the wine, making it one of Mendoza's best options for foodies.
Is her Torrontés from Cafayate or Mendoza?
From Cafayate, Salta. Susana was the pioneer of Salta Torrontés and produces it at 1,700 meters. The Crios Torrontés line is the world's best-known ambassador of the varietal.
Can you combine Susana Balbo with Catena Zapata?
It is the classic combination we set up in Luján de Cuyo: Catena in the morning (more technical, architectural), Susana at midday with lunch (more intimate, gastronomic). A day of integral excellence.
Our service
How we visit
Susana Balbo Wines.
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.