SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, the luxury boutique hotel and estate created by Argentina’s pioneering female winemaker Susana Balbo and her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo, announces its acceptance into the prestigious Relais & Châteaux Association. The property becomes the newest member of this exceptional collection of hotels and restaurants worldwide, joining an esteemed family of independent owners deeply committed to sharing their local culture and passion for authenticity.
After a rigorous selection process, SB Winemaker’s House joins Relais & Châteaux, representing the finest traditions of gastronomy, hospitality, and cultural preservation in the famed wine region of Mendoza. After four decades dedicated to the wine industry and international recognition as Argentina’s first female winemaker, Susana Balbo created the bespoke estate in 2022 with her daughter Ana, offering guests an authentic immersion into Argentina’s wine culture and the region’s art de vivre.
Of the distinction, Balbo noted, “We are profoundly honored to join Relais & Châteaux, an association that shares our deep commitment to authenticity, exceptional gastronomy, and genuine hospitality. This recognition validates our vision of creating a space where wine, culture, and hospitality converge to offer guests something truly meaningful – a genuine connection to our land, our craft, and our family’s passion.” Lovaglio Balbo added: “This recognition touches us deeply. It honors a journey of passion, resilience, and a dream rooted in Mendoza. At SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, guests don’t simply stay at a hotel – they become part of our family’s story.”
SB Winemaker’s House features a sense of place as well as the hostesses’ authentic wine roots in everything from design, décor, and setting to culinary experiences, art, wellness, and nature. Seven exclusive spa suites offer fully integrated wellness amenities and signature treatments that range from vinotherapy and a Yerba Mate Spa Treatment inspired by the traditional Argentine beverage to an aromatherapy bath with local essences prepared in the suite’s ceramic tub shaped like a concrete wine egg. La VidA, the MICHELIN recommended restaurant onsite, is helmed by Chef Flavia Amad who offers creative reinterpretations of traditional Argentinian cuisine with bold flavors and high-quality ingredients. The culinary experience onsite also includes a Chef’s Table, Spirited Asado that combines Mendoza’s local distillates with traditional Argentine cooking, workshops on regional specialities like mate and dulce de leche, and signature wine cocktails, all complemented by wines from Susana’s nearby bodega. Additionally, throughout the grounds and ensuite, art from local and international artists reflect Susana’s long history with wine through sculptures, woodwork, and mixed media.
The property’s commitment to cultural immersion extends into the destination, guided by the Experience Curator. Guests can explore the region’s wine heritage through curated journeys by the Balbo family of Mendoza’s finest wineries, the region’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage through curated soft adventures inspired by the four elements: earth, water, fire, and air, and more.
