Bennett and Eugenia Sewell, the owners of El Gaucho Winery, a relaxed rustic-luxe spot nestled in the lush terrain of the Texas Hill Country, are hosting Discover El Gaucho Winery, a sip and socialize affair for guests to learn more about their award-winning Argentinian wines, winery, and the culture of Argentina. Just 25 miles from downtown Austin, Discover El Gaucho Winery will be held September 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature $1 glasses of Malbec Rosé (limit 2 glasses), Asado Dinner, and live music.
The Sewells began their journey together when they met in Argentina. Bennett, a native Austinite, was vacationing in Mendoza, the heart of the country’s wine country and a region known for its outstanding Malbecs, when he realized he could turn his passion for wine into a new business opportunity. He met Eugenia, a trained sommelier—and at the time, the sommelier for the Office of the President of Argentina.
Eugenia’s interest in winemaking began when she was a child, spending her summers at her grandparents’ vineyards in southern Mendoza. Years later, divorced with two children during Argentina’s financial crisis, Eugenia attended Escuela Argentina de Vinos, where she graduated from the six-year sommelier program in four. She then taught classes, began working at well-regarded vineyards, and hosted a wine radio show. After Bennett purchased the Finca Austin vineyard, the two worked together, brainstormed ideas, and fell in love. They purchased Finca La Passion together shortly after. For seven years they lived in Mendoza, tending to the vineyards, and exporting wines to the U.S. Then they moved to Austin and opened El Gaucho.
El Gaucho is a gathering spot, a place to relax with friends and family. “Our guests say it is so close to Austin yet they feel like they are out in the country and have left everything behind,” Bennett Sewell said. Wines by the bottle, by the glass, flights and tasting menus feature the 11 wines—a mix of red, white and sparkling—most from the Sewells’ 55 acres of vineyards in the Mendoza wine country, one located in Luján de Cuyo (Baja de Uco) and the other in Uco Valley (Valle de Uco). Bites from the bistro menu include two classic Argentinian dishes—empanadas and provoleta, provolone cheese melted in a skillet with a dusting of chimichurri. The Asado Dinner—Argentinian-style steak and barbecue—is offered once a month during the summer and beginning September 16every Sunday, weather permitting.
The venue is ranch chic (“gaucho” means Argentinian cowboy), with outdoor spaces perfect for enjoying the vistas and occasional live music, which features everything from tango to Argentinian-style rock. El Gaucho also hosts private and corporate events including weddings, team-building sessions, and holiday get-togethers. The outdoor venue holds 100 to 120 people comfortably.
Discover El Gaucho Winery is September 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature $1 glasses of Malbec Rosé (limit 2 glasses), Asado Dinner, and live music. Summer hours are Thursday-Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
El Gaucho is located at 21301 Kathy Lane in Spicewood, about 40 minutes from downtown Austin. For more information, call 512-382-0620 or go to www.elgauchowinery.com.