A Toast to Tradition: Susana Balbo’s Winemaker’s House Joins Relais & Châteaux in a Landmark Moment for Mendoza

Source: SB Winemaker's House & Spa Suites

Reported By: Matthew Kennedy

Mendoza, Argentina—In a move that further elevates Mendoza’s reputation on the international luxury travel map, SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites has officially joined the prestigious Relais & Châteaux Association. Founded by pioneering Argentine winemaker Susana Balbo and her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo, the boutique estate becomes part of a worldwide family of properties selected for their commitment to exceptional hospitality, cultural authenticity, and culinary excellence.

Opened in 2022, the intimate seven-suite property has become known for its highly personal approach to the wine hotel concept—an ethos now validated by its entrance into one of the world’s most respected luxury hospitality networks.

Balbo, widely regarded as Argentina’s first female winemaker, has spent four decades shaping the future of South American wine. With the launch of SB Winemaker’s House, she extends that legacy into a new medium: a curated, immersive hotel experience that brings guests into direct contact with the land, flavors, and craftsmanship of Mendoza’s wine country.

That story is present in every detail—from design and culinary programming to the sculptural art installations that dot the property, each piece a reflection of the family’s connection to wine and place.

SB Winemaker’s House features seven spacious spa suites, each designed as a private wellness retreat. Guests will find:

• In-suite steam rooms and massage tables

• Sensory showers and aromatherapy baths

• Dry saunas in four of the suites

• A ceramic soaking tub shaped like a concrete wine egg, referencing traditional fermentation vessels

Signature spa offerings extend into local traditions, including vinotherapy treatments and a Yerba Mate spa ritual, inspired by Argentina’s beloved herbal infusion.

The result is a stay that feels both grounded and indulgent—wellness not as an afterthought, but as an expression of terroir.

At La VidA, the property’s MICHELIN-recommended restaurant, Chef Flavia Amad reinterprets classic Argentine dishes through a contemporary lens, using seasonal ingredients and bold, layered flavors.

Guests can opt for a traditional Chef’s Table experience with open-flame cooking, or explore more playful formats like the Spirited Asado, a pairing of local distillates with traditional Argentine barbecue. Culinary workshops—from mate tastings to making dulce de leche—deepen the experience.

All meals are paired with selections from Susana Balbo’s own nearby bodega, completing a seamless loop between vineyard and table.

SB Winemaker’s House is more than a destination—it’s a launching point. With the help of the in-house Experience Curator, guests can embark on bespoke itineraries through:

• Mendoza’s renowned wineries, handpicked by the Balbo family

• Soft adventures inspired by the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water

• Cultural immersions into Argentina’s artisanal and artistic traditions

Art plays a central role here, too. The estate’s interiors and gardens are dotted with works by 20 local and international artists, featuring sculpture, woodwork, and mixed media that speak to both the region and the Balbo family’s deep roots in winemaking.

In joining Relais & Châteaux, SB Winemaker’s House doesn’t just add another accolade to its name—it solidifies its role as a cultural ambassador for Argentina’s wine country. By weaving together family legacy, culinary artistry, and design-driven hospitality, Susana and Ana Balbo have created more than a destination. They’ve created an invitation—to slow down, sip deeply, and connect with place in the most personal of ways.