1. Cal Restaurante – Sitio La Estocada


In the intimacy of Matías Michelini’s estate in Gualtallary, CAL is a restaurant with just five tables—an intimate space where gastronomy is both understood and crafted. Led by Daniela Ovejero Michelini and Enzo González Petra, this family project draws from its surroundings and shares a philosophy with local small-scale producers. Each step of the tasting menu is inspired by nature’s rhythm and the ingredients grown on the estate, resulting in a cuisine that connects territory, memory, and the present.
This spring, the garden yields vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. Dishes such as roasted asparagus with Brussels sprout leaves, wild fennel, mint, and vermouth foam, evoke the purity of a river, while fermented almond milk with fresh fava beans, dill, garlic slices, and Osaka mustard offer a play of textures and freshness. Pairings revolve around Matías Michelini’s wines, such as Agua de Roca 2024 (Sauvignon Blanc)—a mountain-inspired expression—or Caos Chardonnay 2018, whose multiple fermentations amplify the vermouth foam. The experience also features international labels like GarnaChe from Navarra and closes with herbal infusions from the estate.
Insider tip: Before lunch, guests are invited to tour Sitio La Estocada (vineyards, gardens, apiary, herb dryer), connecting them directly to what will later appear on their plates.
Where: Los Europeos and Ruta 89, Tupungato, Mendoza.