Today, John, Scott, and I headed off on an excursion that combined two of our favorite things—wine and cooking. We were picked up by our driver and guide, Ricardo, along with Soledad, and enjoyed a scenic 45-minute drive into the hills surrounding Montevideo.
Once we arrived, we were welcomed by our host, Alejandro, who gave us a tour of the property before getting us settled for what turned out to be a very indulgent afternoon. With wine poured and aprons on, the cooking began.
We started by making empanadas. The dough had already been prepared, so our job was to fill them, carefully pinch the edges, and send them off to bake. We also made two different sauces to top them. Outside, a large oven was already working its magic, slowly cooking various cuts of meat.
When the empanadas were ready, we sat down to enjoy them along with baked provolone cheese—and wow, was it good—plus a mix of beef and pork sausages. Just when we thought we were finished, we were invited inside to a larger dining room where the meats that had been cooking outside were brought in, along with several sides. It was a lot of food… but every bite was worth it.
Stuffed, happy, and slightly food-comatose, we made our way back to the ship. We met up with Catherine, took some time to freshen up, catch up on a few things, and then gathered for pre-dinner drinks. We had originally planned to dine at Chartreuse, but after such a big lunch, we wisely opted for Compass Rose instead and kept dinner light with just a few nibbles.
One last after-dinner drink, and then it was off to bed—full, content, and grateful for another fantastic day.
About Montevideo
Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is the southernmost capital city in the Americas and is often praised for its high quality of life. Home to about 1.3 million people—nearly half of Uruguay’s population—the city offers a relaxed pace with plenty to see and do.
With its pleasant year-round climate, coastal rambla, rich cultural scene, and welcoming atmosphere, Montevideo strikes a wonderful balance between calm and vibrant. If you’re looking for a city that feels comfortable, livable, and quietly charming, Montevideo fits the bill perfectly.
Our butler, Vijan, who was just awesome! I don’t think John and I kept him busy enough, lol!The Palacio Salvo in the Plaza Independencia – one of the most iconic buildings in Montevideo. It was completed in 1928 and also has a “twin” building in Buenos Aires called Palacio Barolo.The Executive Tower, which serves the President of Uruguay.Monument to José Gervasio Artigas, who is considered a national hero of Uruguay. He was a leader in the fight for independence from Spain and a champion of federalism and regional autonomy in the Rio de la Plata region.The Puerta de la Ciudadela (Gateway of the Citadel), one of the most important historical landmarks in Montevideo. It’s the surviving gateway from the old Spanish colonial fortress walls that once surrounded Montevideo in the 18th century.Part of the lawns of Plaza Independencia.Love the different style of architecture!The Palacio Legislativo – the country’s Parliament in Montevideo. It houses the Chamber of Senators and Representatives.The winery we went to – https://bodegaspinoglio.com/language/en/home-2/All the delicious meats we will be tasting at some point!Our host, Alejandro, talking about the vineyards and the wine making process.They converted these old buildings into BNB’s! https://bodegaspinoglio.com/language/en/hotel/Yes, I found the dog, lol! She was a stray that just stayed around and was the sweetest thing!Alejandro showing us some of the old equipment used when processing the grapes.The good stuff!!!!The table with the herbs in the bowl is where we made one of the two sauces to go with our empanadas.Our first glass of wine! The couple beside me are from Texas.Alejandro explaining how to roll out the dough for the empanadas.
These were John’s and I think he did a better job than I did, lol!All being collected to bake and then plated. We did not get our own back as it was too many to keep up with, but they were good!Love this picture of the beautiful colors of the vegetables!Soledad, our guide, helping to make the one of the sauces to go with the empanadas.And the second sauce…..The baked provolone…..can I just say, this was AMAZING and I wanted to eat it all!A mixture of beef & pork sausages.The other meats that were grilling……it was way too much food, but boy, was it good!A little caramel flan to end it???? Montevideo’s harbor and waterfront along the Rio de la Plata, showing what looks like an old ship graveyard near the port. One of the happiest people ever, Saga, who take care of the cabin for us. Best smile ever!
