Our Kind of Place
Narbona Wine Lodge is a gorgeous boutique hotel nestled amongst vineyards and pine forests. Located on the Uruguayan side of the River Plate, Narbona Wine Lodge is just 15 kms from the village of Carmelo where a small boat runs daily from Tigre. The ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento is also a quick and easy option, with Colonia del Sacramento being an hour’s drive away.
One of Uruguay’s most traditional and emblematic wineries, the estate is steeped in history, the main house having been constructed in 1909.
The first vines were planted here over a hundred years ago, meaning Narbona is one of Uruguay’s oldest bodegas. The harvest begins mid-February and runs through March. Uruguay’s signature grape Tannat is the wine of choice here.
Design is chic, rustic and understated. There are just five rooms. Our favourites, Rosé and Tannat have sweeping views of the vines. Antiques and original silver are dotted around the room. Private terraces with chequered floors overlook the vines, ideal for sipping a sundowner.
An inviting pool surrounded by gardens and overlooking the vineyards is for those looking for a spot of relaxation.
Days are spent exploring the bodega, discovering more about Narbona’s winemaking process.
Visit the old and new cellars where wine and cheese tastings take place. Try a few different wines accompanied by cheeses produced on the property’s dairy farm.
Wander the vines with a picnic basket replete with homemade cheeses, preserves and of course a vintage in hand to a quiet spot in the vineyard. Perfect for loved-up couples and romantics.
The on-site restaurant serves a mixture of homemade pasta, Uruguayan comfort food such as ossobuco stews and a fabulous home-produced cheeseboard, all accompanied by vintages straight from the cellar. Breakfast of homemade pastries and dulce de leche are served beneath a tangle of wisteria.
Become an oenologist for the day and prepare your own wine alongside Narbona’s house enologist. Label your bottle and take it home with you.
Learn the secrets of preparing grappa and make one according to your taste. Join the alembic and enologist and prepare a mixture of virgin grappa and honey.
Head to Narbona’s private beach, a few kms away from the lodge on the edge of Carmelo village. Relax under the shade of a palapa with a good book. Basta Pedro, one of our favourite local haunts serves Uruguayan delicacy goat and clay baked pizzas.
Those who are a little more active, may hop in a kayak and explore the waterways. Golfers can have a go at one of our favourite courses in South America. The 18 holes professional golf court, par 72 is a firm favourite for its beautiful landscape of lakes, wetlands and trees.
Narbona Wine Lodge combines well with a coastal road trip through Uruguay, taking in the beaches of Jose Ignacio, Punta del Este, La Rocha, and Punta del Diablo as well as UNESCO town Colonia del Sacramento. Begin or end your Uruguayan adventure at Narbona Wine Lodge for a few days of relaxation.
