Equitrekking PBS USA

Thursday, March 12, 2009

We arrived to Finca Piedra at sunset, the perfect time to see Pedro the gaucho gathering the horses and taking them to another pasture.

This is an estancia (ranch), where you’ll enjoy eating many of the products produced right on the farm. There’s wine from their vineyard, honey from their bee hives, fresh vegetables and fruits which they preserve to make jams and limoncello.

They also raise sheep, cows, and horses. Run by a French and South African couple, Sandrine and Jason, the ranch sits among the rolling grasslands of Uruguay’s countryside.

On our first night, we prepared for the filming the following day by talking out by a big bonfire, eating cheese and chorizo and trying some of the wine from the vineyard.

For dinner, we moved into the new, big dining area of the main lodge to feast on lamb filled ravioli.

Sandrine and Jason told us about their decision to leave their lives in London and move to Uruguay, a bold move for the young couple. The two are very hands on and have worked hard at building their estancia and guest business.

I would imagine that it would be very hard work to run a farm that produces so many things, but also very rewarding to sit down at the end of the day and literally eat the fruits of my labor.

Darley Newman
Host & Producer, Equitrekking
http://www.equitrekking.com/

http://special.equisearch.com/blog/equitrekking/2009/03/we-arrived-to-finca-piedra-at-sunset.html

Equitrekking - PBS/ USA

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Jason, the owner of Finca Piedra, Pedro, Finca Piedra’s gaucho, and I took off on our Criollo horses. I have never ridden a Criollo horse before and never in Uruguay, so had to adjust to the way of riding and the tack.

The traditional style saddles here are flat and wide and covered with sheepskin, making them comfortable to sit on, but since they are so wide I also felt a bit unstable at first. I am used to American English and Western saddles that have a more rounded seat. You really have to find your balance on the sheepskin saddles. They ride with longer stirrups here in Uruguay, and I opted to have mine brought up a bit, but still had some trouble gripping with my legs at first. My horse Manteca, a ten-year-old white Criollo horse was well seasoned and fast.

Jason rode Indio, a 15-year-old Criollo, and Pedro rode Torrito, an eight-year-old Criollo. We left the farm and headed towards Sierra de Mahoma, a rocky hill that stands out amid the rolling farmland of the area. I watched Pedro ride as we trotted through the cornfields. He rode what I thought was a bouncy trot with total ease, while I posted to avoid bruising my bum too much on day one of my riding. Pedro laughed at me, as I tried to sit Manteca’s trot.

The gauchos are still alive and very important in Uruguay. Like our American cowboys, they are there to work with and protect the cows, sheep and horses on the farm, lassoing sick cattle, moving the animals from pasture to pasture and more. In Uruguay, I have seen people all over riding horses that they are using for their work and for transportation. It is an agricultural society where horses still have a vital role.

We reached Sierra de Mahoma and rode up the rocky trails amid huge granite rock formations to a high point where Jason said it looked like a sea of stones. It certainly did.

From there, we galloped part of the way back to the ranch for a quick lunch, before riding to the vineyard, where I learned more about tannat, a red wine grape that grows very well here in Uruguay. It came from southwest France.

Next it was time to help Pedro herd some cattle, which was not an easy task. The three of us had a good time, working the cattle and moving them in various directions so that we could film it and I could attempt to learn the art of moving cattle in Uruguay.I was very glad to take a nice hot shower at the end of today. There’s a party at the ranch with a band, so we’ll be enjoying some good food and music before we rest.

Darley Newman
Host & Producer, Equitrekking
http://www.equitrekking.com/

Equitrekking PBS/ USA

In Depth
In the sleepy railway town of Mal Abrigo, Over the “Mahoma” mountain range in the province of San Jose is located this 1000 has. Run by a young French and South African couple ( fluent English, Spanish, French, Dutch) this wonderful Estancia has stone grounds, smooth winds, glades and streams. This is an ideal place that combines rest, excellent gastronomy, horse –rides through the mountain ranges and exclusive French wine stock from their own vineyard.

Comfortable rooms with sommier beds and a view of the countryside and the vineyards, equipped with heaters and under floor heating.

This Estancia has all the accessories needed for horse rides, a huge “Rodeo” for a beginner to learn the South American way or for a audience to watch an organized “Rodeo show” (seasonal) from a box seat or alongside the arena.

It also has native gastronomy, prepared by recognized chefs, where you will be able to taste organic foods directly from the estancia. Parillas or indoor barbeques are a favourite among guests with fresh Uruguayan meats and flavors! All accompanied by the most exquisite wines. During tea-time you will be able to taste the typical “pastelitos hojaldrados¨stuffed with quince jam, dish that delight adults and children.

In this establishment, you will find conference facilities with necessary technology and surrounded by the countryside, far away from the city. So you can combine work with rest!

Activities
Cattle Drives, Ecotourism, Fishing, Inn-to-Inn Riding, Ranch Work, Hiking

Additional Activities
Paragliding, mountain bike, vineyard tours, wine tasting, swimming pool, games room, horse cart, bird watching, rodeo events, polo events, carnival events, rock climbing
Accommodations
13 on suite rooms. Divided into three seperate buildings. Each building has a seperate theme ( horses , vineyards , gauchos) .
The rooms are Standard, superior and Deluxe

Food
Fresh organic foods directly from the Ranch. Fruit, vegetables and meats from the ranch. Gastronomic foods as well as traditional Parillas ( barbeques) with mouth watering Uruguayan meats and pastrys.

Area Attractions
Sierras de Mahoma. A nature reserve with caves, exquisite views and an ocean of stones. Once inhabited by the Ohoma Indian tribe. Excellent for Horse riding.
Dairy farm and vineyards

Darley Newman
Host & Producer, Equitrekking
http://www.equitrekking.com/

http://www.equitrekking.com/travel_guide/destination/101/Finca-Piedra.html

BLOG www.montevideo.com.uy/vinosybebidas URUGUAY

21.04.2009 15:10 / Lugares de vinos

Viñedos, cabalgatas y relax

Estancia Finca Piedra http://www.fincapiedra.com/ es un emprendimiento de capitales franceses ubicado en el Depto. de San José, más precisamente en la Sierra de Mahoma a tan solo 125 km. de Montevideo.Entre sus atractivos y el marco natural de las serranias cuenta con un viñedo modelico de variedades tintas y blancas con que producen los vinos que por el momento solo comercializan en el establecimiento y que son elaborados por el enólogo José Lez en Establecimiento Juanico. Vinos de un perfil aromático muy interesante y que satisfacen las exigencias del consumidor más entrenado en el arte de la degustación.

En una extención de unas 1000 hectareas dedicadas a la hoteleria, cria de ganado, y sembrado de pasturas, el viñedo es la excusa ideal para los amantes del buen vivir que deseen deleitarse con un paisaje de ensueño o disfrutar de la gastronomía de campo con toques europeos que Finca Piedra propone en sus dos restaurantes.

Ni bien uno traspasa la portera de la estancia los dueños del establecimiento, Sandrine y Jason acostumbran a dar una calurosa bienvenida recibiendo a los huespedes con un exquisito lemoncello de manufactura casera.
Pero no todo es vino y paisajes en este lugar, ya que para los amantes de los deportes tambien hay opciones como cabalgatas, trekking, natación, futbol, tenis, polo y algo más.... si gusta de las tareas de campo tambien encontrará que hacer, como ordeñar, cosechar uvas en tiempo de vendimia y otras actividades como tomar clases de cocina por ejemplo.Vale la pena tomarse un fin de semana y hacerce una escapada para disfrutar de la naturaleza, bien cerca de casa.

Daniel Arraspide, Sommelier