This charming place is owned by Rubén David and his wife, Andrea Richardi. The couple began working on this shared dream several years ago and opened it in April 2022, under the name of Casa David: Wines & Horses. They offer the venue for weddings, personal and corporate events. In addition, tourists have the opportunity to enjoy horseback riding, picnics in the vineyards, harvest experiences, traditional barbecues (asados), wine tastings, bike rides and much more.
Equine reproduction center
Casa David also houses horse breeding facilities. Its large infrastructure includes a stable with 24 boxes, a laboratory, a veterinary clinic and a swimming pool to relieve stress or rehabilitate animals after an injury or operation. This pool is the second in its size in Argentina. In addition, a buyer can stay at a house equipped with all the comforts and observe the animal up close.
Every year the Casa David Tournament takes place in the facilities, as there is a professional jumping track. In the same area of the stables, there is a collection of old carriages dating back to 1813, 1814 and 1815, which have been restored with their original spare parts. These vehicles have a very particular and charming use: transporting the bride and groom and their guests to the Chapel, which is located on a hill, within the property and surrounded by vines.
Innovative experiences
With all these ingredients, it is no coincidence that Casa David won the gold award in the Best of Mendoza’s Wine Tourism 2023 competition, for its Excellence in Innovative Experiences.
El Gran Salto
The main house in the property is called ‘Gran Salto’ (Great Jump) and is the perfect venue for events. It has an underground wine cellar with high-quality wines, a first-class kitchen and a large living room on the upper floor that is surrounded by large windows to appreciate the mountainous landscape and its colors in all its splendor.
Andrea, who works as an interior designer, conceived every detail of this property: “I wanted to use very noble materials. We have used solid wood, a lot of cotton and linen, corduroy and leather. I had been working on a rather classic style but here I relaxed,” she added.
It is worth noting that the house is decorated with beautiful paintings by Mendoza artists, such as Martín Villalonga and Enrique Testasecca. The range of colors used by the artists are in perfect balance with the landscape.
Future projects
With respect to their future projects, the horizon is clear for the couple: they released their own Malbec wine in September this year, which is called “El Gran Salto”. “Agrelo is a great terroir. We have a significant difference in height from the entrance to the end of the property, which allows us to plant varietals at different heights,” said Rubén David regarding the conception of this wine.
In addition, the project includes a five-star hotel that will be built on the same property and also a sustainable real estate project of 200 hectares where owners will be able to build their homes just minutes from the City.
“We are also going to make viewing points so that our visitors can eat a delicious barbecue and thus enjoy the mountain with all the services,” concluded Rubén.
Text and photo credits: EMETUR (Tourism Board of Mendoza)