Ten years ago, El Gaucho Winery co-founder Bennett Sewell said his goal was to take a monthlong vacation to Argentina. During his trip, he met his wife, Eugenia, and bought two vineyards. Last year he returned to Austin with his family to establish a Spicewood winery.

Translated from Spanish, “El Gaucho” means the Argentine cowboy, Bennett said.

His winery produces eight varieties of Estado Natural and Tierra De Gaucho red and white wines from the couple’s two vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina. Although El Gaucho offers five types of malbec wine, Torrontes—a wine made from a white Argentine wine grape—is the business’s most popular seller, Bennett said.

“It’s interesting to compare the tastes of the different locations and how [location] affects the wine,” he said. “Both vineyards have different soil and elevations. We bottle the wine down there and ship it here.”

The winery’s setting is perched high above Kathy Lane off Bee Creek Road.

Eugenia said she and Bennett spent a lot of time venturing around the area looking for the perfect spot to open the winery, but they knew they wanted something closer to Austin compared to other Hill Country wineries. Once they drove up the hill off Kathy Lane and Bee Creek Road, the couple knew they found the perfect spot, she said.

“The view was superb and the location was not so close to downtown, but not so far away from downtown,” Eugenia said.

Inside the building is an Argentine feel with the country’s music playing and pictures of the couple’s vineyards hanging on the walls. The printed cowhide chairs and chandelier from an Argentine flea market add to the modern but rustic decor. Visitors can step outside to take in the view or pick a spot at the clustered table seatings.

“It’s amazing how the people that come here love our wine and have a genuine interest in Argentine wine and culture,” Eugenia said.

Along with the tranquil setting and Argentine wine, El Gaucho also offers authentic food, including provoleta, an Argentine comfort food featuring melted provolone, cheese empanadas and a cheese plate with Spanish salamis and prosciutto di Parma.

The winery includes spaces for children to play, wooden tee-pees and a rock “Stonehenge.”

21301 Kathy Lane, Spicewood 512-382-0620 www.elgauchowineryaustintx.com Hours: Thu.-Sun. noon-7 p.m., closed Mon.-Wed.