Susana & Ana Balbo

House of Wine and Wellness

by Alexa Bouhelier-Ruelle

In the heart of Mendoza’s wine country, surrounded by the quiet hum of vineyards and the soft shadows of the Andes, Susana and Ana Balbo have redefined what hospitality can mean. Their project, SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, isn’t just a hotel — it’s a story told through design, flavour, and the deep bond of a mother and daughter who have turned a family legacy into an experience of place and purpose.

In October 2025, that story reached new heights: the property was awarded Two MICHELIN Keys, a distinction reserved for the world’s most exceptional hotels. For the Balbos, the recognition isn’t just a mark of excellence — it’s validation of something deeply personal.

“From the beginning, our goal was to create a house that embodies the soul of Mendoza — its wine, its landscape, and its people,” says Susana Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker.

A House with a Soul

SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites opened in 2022 as a love letter to Mendoza. With just seven spa suites —each designed as a sanctuary of art, nature, and wellness— the property invites guests to slow down and reconnect with their senses. Every suite includes steam rooms, sensation showers, and massage tables, and four feature private saunas. “We wanted every guest to feel they were being welcomed into our home,” says Ana Lovaglio Balbo. “It’s a place that reflects who we are — intimate, authentic, and rooted in this land.”

Throughout the house, Argentine and Brazilian artists fill the walls with stories, from photographs by Sebastião Salgado to the Tree of Life sculpture by Sergio Roggerone, a symbol of family and transformation. The details, says Ana, are intentional: “Art, wine, and wellness all express the same idea — beauty, balance, and a connection to life.”

The Power of a Shared Vision

For Susana, the leap from winemaking to hospitality was a natural evolution. “Wine taught me everything about patience, about listening, about creating something that tells a story,” she explains. “When we built the hotel, we wanted to bring that same philosophy to every detail — the textures, the aromas, the experience of staying.”

That attention to storytelling is visible in every corner, from the curated art to the scent of herbs used in spa rituals. Even the dining experience — at the in-house La VidA Restaurant — echoes Mendoza’s rhythm. Chef Izu’s team crafts Argentinian cuisine through bold, seasonal flavours paired with Susana Balbo Wines, while the Chef’s Table open-flame experience brings guests closer to the land’s traditions.

“This house is a reflection of everything we’ve learned — not just about wine, but about life. It’s a story about roots, family, and transformation.”

A Symbol of Empowerment

Susana Balbo’s journey has long been a story of breaking barriers. As Argentina’s first female winemaker, she paved the way for generations of women in a male-dominated industry. “When I started, it wasn’t easy,” she says. “But I always believed that excellence has no gender — only passion and perseverance.”

Now, through SB Winemaker’s House, that belief has found a new expression — one where craftsmanship meets care, and where each element, from the wine to the wellness rituals, celebrates balance and empowerment. "This house is a reflection of everything we’ve learned — not just about wine, but about life. It’s a story about roots, family, and transformation.”

Looking Forward

As they look to the future, both women see the hotel not as a culmination but as a continuation. “We want it to remain a living space — one that grows, evolves, and stays true to Mendoza’s spirit,” says Ana. “Receiving Two MICHELIN Keys shows that authenticity resonates. When you pour love into what you create, people feel it. At its heart, SB Winemaker’s House is about connection — to oneself, to nature, and to others,” Susana adds. “That, to me, is the true art of hospitality.”