Contra Corriente: The Spirit of Patagonia in Every Glass
Experience world-class fishing and wines made with patience and passion.
A Story of Place, Passion, and Patagonian Grit
At first glance, a fly fishing company and a vineyard might seem worlds apart. But for Patagonia River Guides (PRG) founders Rance Rathie and Travis Smith, both pursuits are driven by the same things. Patience, respect for nature, and the belief that great things take time.
From that shared spirit, Contra Corriente was born. What started as a dream to bring the vineyard experience to the edge of the world has grown into a thriving winery in Trevelin, a cool, windswept valley in southern Patagonia where the Andes taper toward the steppe and the water runs as pure as it gets.
Against the Current
The name Contra Corriente — “Against the Current” — captures both the challenge and the philosophy behind this unique venture. In 2014, Rance and Travis planted the first vines on a patch of rugged land outside Trevelin, a place better known for its trout streams than its terroir. Many thought growing grapes this far south was impossible. The climate is colder, the winds stronger, and the growing season shorter.
But that’s exactly what makes the wines so special. The cool temperatures and long days of southern Patagonia produce grapes with elegant structure, vibrant acidity, and complex aromas. The result is a distinctive expression of Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay, wines that mirror the wild, pure, and quietly powerful landscape.
The first vintage, bottled in 2018, marked more than a milestone. It was proof that vision, hard work, and a little Patagonian stubbornness can turn an ambitious dream into something enduring.
The Lodge at Trevelin: Where Wine Meets the Water
A stay at The Lodge at Trevelin is the perfect way to experience Contra Corriente. Not just as a wine, but as part of Patagonia’s rhythm of life. Overlooking the vineyards and surrounded by mountain vistas, the lodge offers a seamless blend of world-class fly fishing, fine dining, and quiet luxury.
Each evening, after a day exploring the waters of the Futaleufú or Río Grande, guests return to the lodge for a dinner that celebrates the flavors of southern Argentina. The chefs pride themselves on crafting meals that combine authentic Argentine tradition with modern creativity, using locally sourced ingredients, many from the lodge’s own greenhouse garden. Expect everything from slow-cooked lamb roasted over the outdoor firepit to classic Argentine asado on the indoor parrilla, paired perfectly with a glass of Contra Corriente Pinot Noir or Gewürztraminer.
For those looking to unwind, the lodge’s new spa and wine tasting room offer another way to enjoy the vineyard’s spirit. Guests can relax in the sauna or hot tub, sip wine on the deck overlooking the vines, or join a guided tasting led by PRG’s wine expert, offering a deep dive into how these cool-climate grapes thrive in Patagonia’s extreme southern conditions.
At Trevelin Lodge, every detail reflects PRG’s belief that great experiences, like great wines, come from passion, place, and patience.
A Shared Philosophy
Whether you’re on the oars of a drift boat or tending vines through a cold Patagonian spring, success comes down to the same rhythm. It’s learning when to push forward and when to let nature lead. That philosophy connects Contra Corriente to everything PRG stands for. Both celebrate the wildness of Patagonia, the people who work with their hands, and the quiet satisfaction of doing things the right way, even when it’s the harder way.
Experience It for Yourself
Guests at The Lodge at Trevelin can taste Contra Corriente wines where they were born, beneath the big skies and snowcapped peaks of southern Patagonia.
Each glass tells the story of this place: the wind, the water, and the will to go against the current.
✉️ info@patagoniariverguides.com
📱 WhatsApp Rance directly: +54 9 2945 54‑8104