Narbona Wine Lodge and Estates in Carmelo Uruguay ...

Narbona Wine Lodge and Estates in Carmelo Uruguay provided an unforgettably delicious experience for our honeymoon. It was clear from the moment we entered that their welcoming culture provided hospitality fit for a king. It s clear when the entire team takes ownership of the customer experience and each of our interactions with Narbona workers showed the staff s pride in cultivating a luxurious visit for guests.

After a quick nap in our palatial yet rustic suite full of hardwoods, burnished metals, and delightful antiques, we were treated to a tour of their winemaking facilities and a tasting of their most popular vintages. My understanding of the details was limited, as the entire tour was conducted in Spanish, but the tastes of their Tanat Roble, homemade cheeses, and house baked breads are universal and translation is unnecessary. My favorite was the honey-infused grappa which they conveniently make available for guests in the office free of charge. Every small convenience was provided and thought of ahead of time from small jars of dulce de leche, a local specialty, placed by our bedside in the evenings to local woolen ponchos being placed in our closet for use during the cool Uruguayan evenings.

We stayed for three short days. There are only five rooms available on the estate, and we were fortunate to have booked their best room overlooking the vineyard. We enjoyed a sunset cruise with wine and antipasti, a picnic in the vineyard, an evening fire by the fountain, and lots of quiet moments with my beautiful new wife during our brief stay.

On our final day, we learned my initial impressions of their hospitality were spot on. The King and Queen of Norway had stayed on another residence on the property just a few weeks prior. I was fortunate to be treated to a private tour of the chateaux grounds by Frederick, a longtime employee and friend of the proprietor. The 400 year old chateau on the banks of the Rio Plata was built by slaves for the Portuguese and Spanish merchants ferrying silver from the mines to the ocean. It was a lovely and unforgettable experience. I look forward to our return!