1) Can I actually own the property I buy in my own name?
Yes, you can have the title to your property in your own name. To own property in Argentina, a foreigner needs to have a CDI (equivalent to a Tax ID number in the United States, Canada, and Europe). The Southern Cross Land legal team can obtain a CDI for you in one day. This service is complimentary when you buy a property from SCL.

2) Do I have to plant vineyards, or am I free to plant fruit trees, walnut trees, a vegetable garden, and select my own style of landscaping?
In all SCL developments, yes, you are free to plant what you want. As our independent soil reports will show you, the soils are excellent for planting a variety of crops. Most anything will grow on SCL developments, or on rural properties SCL has listed for sale, including profitable crops such as plums, pears, apples, cherries, and walnuts. On stand alone properties, each owner is free to manage the property as they choose, either through SCL, or through other arrangements made separately.

3) If I want to have a vineyard can I choose the variety of grapes to plant on my property?
Yes, definitely. Our team of enologists and agronomists can consult with you about the varieties of grapes, including our renowned Malbec, that would be suitable to plant on your property.
            PLEASE NOTE: SCL offers these services to those owners who want this, through specific contracts with each owner. No owner is under any obligation to retain SCL to manage their properties. There are several good property management companies in Mendoza, and a number of professional agronomists.

4) Can I choose the quality of wine I want to produce and have my vineyards managed in that way?
Yes, absolutely. Before your vineyards are planted, our agronomists and enologists will take your input and use it to plant and manage your vineyards for the type and quality of wine you want to produce. Part of this planning will be the number of root stock plants to plant per hectare(plant density), and the way to manage the grape production for top quality wine.
            PLEASE NOTE: Again, SCL offers these services, but all owners are free to work with SCL or not. SCL is happy to recommend other professionals on request.

5) How do I arrange for my vineyards to be planted and maintained?
 SCL has assembled a special team of Mendoza wine industry experts to design, plant, and maintain your vineyards. You can choose to participate as much, or as little, as you like, but in any case, you can relax and enjoy yourself knowing that your vineyards are being meticulously cared for. The SCL farming team can also plant and maintain your orchards, everything from apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees, to walnut trees, vegetable gardens, landscaping and more.

6) What is the planting season for vineyards, and what is the general process?
Our vineyard team will finalize your vineyard design and present you with a schematic drawing. Next, your land will be leveled and prepared, and your irrigation system will be prepared. Then your root stock plants are selected and reserved, with only the highest quality stock chosen from renowned Mendoza nurseries. We then select the appropriate posts, wire and other materials, and install them according to the plan. Then there is the planting of the root stock plants, applying any needed fertilizers, and any needed UV and/or pest protection. We begin irrigation of new plants, and vineyard maintenance begins.
Timing of the work for planting vineyards: We call this YEAR ZERO
April to June – Prepare and level land.
May – Reserve root stock plants.
May to mid-August – Install posts, wires, and other vineyard infrastructure.
Mid-August to early October – Plant root stock plants, begin irrigation and maintenance. YEAR ZERO ends at the end of December of this year.

7) How long does it take for my vineyards to produce grapes that can produce wine?
In YEAR ONE you will not have any grapes for wine production. In YEAR TWO, you could have a small quantity of grapes for wine production, about 20% of full capacity. In YEAR THREE you can have up to 80% capacity. In YEAR FOUR your vineyard will be at full capacity. Please Note: Selling grapes can begin covering your maintenance costs in year three, and year four and onward, depending on the season, selling grapes can earn a small profit, however, his is not guaranteed, and depends on many factors. We are happy to discuss the factors and options with you at your convenience.

8) How was the SCL vineyard and agriculture team chosen?
Southern Cross Land has worked with top Mendoza and Valle de Uco agronomists and enologists for years. SCL has planted, and is now maintaining, many hectares of vineyards. Through this work, we have assembled a renowned team of experts with years of experience in Valle de Uco. The vineyard team manages each vineyard for its specific microclimate, something that is very important in Mendoza, and in Valle de Uco in particular. The same is true for the planting and management of orchards. On the winemaking side, our enologists also have years of experience in Mendoza and have produced many top quality wines in various wineries.

9) How do I know that Valle de Uco is a good location for lifestyle, vineyards, and orchards?
Valle de Uco is part of the Wine Routes of Argentina, and it has been chosen by many of Argentina’s most famous wineries as their home. SCL and Tierra Mansa – A Gated Vineyard Community developments’ neighbors include Bodega Salentein (including Salentein Fruit Company), Bodega J&F Lurton, Bodega Adeluna, Bodegas Monteviejo and Flechas de Los Andes of the Clos de Siete group; Bodega O. Fournier, Bodega La Celia, and others. Beyond our winery neighbors, many other top wineries own vineyards in Valle de Uco. They include Bodega Catena Zapata, Bodega Traipiche, Bodega La Rural, and others. Further, soil sample and water analysis reports are available for your review, along with agronomist reports for the best type of grapes and orchards to plant.
Salentein Fruit is one of the country’s largest exporters of premium quality apples, pears, plums, peaches, and cherries.
In terms of lifestyle, there is no more beautiful place in the world than Valle de Uco, with unrivaled views of the Andes Mountains, crisp clean air, and a myriad of outdoor activities at your doorstep. The year-round climate is ideal, warm and dry, with over 300 days of inspiring sunshine. And all of this is less than an hour’s drive from downtown Mendoza City. But don’t take our word for it. We invite you to visit us and see for yourself.

10) Is my vineyard planting included in the cost of my property?
This depends on the property you buy, however, most unplanted properties do not include the cost of planting. Estimated costs for planting in 2010 are $15,000 USD per hectare for flood irrigation vineyards, and $18,000 USD per hectare for drip irrigation vineyards. A detailed Excel of costs for planting per hectare is available on request, along with a procedures document from our vineyard team. Our vineyard team looks forward to discussing this with you, and to answering all your questions, including questions about maintenance costs going forward into Years 1, 2, 3, and on. Of course, SCL also has properties for sale with vineyards in production. Please inquire about the type of planted vineyard property that would suit your needs.

11) When it comes time to make my wine, how do I arrange that?
? The SCL vineyard team can take care of your private label wine production, from harvest to the finished bottled product. With your input, our expert enologist will make your wine. The finished product is yours to enjoy, share with friends, or sell. The SCL sales teams can work with you to help you find the best means of distribution so you can enjoy a profitable wine venture. The cost to produce top quality wine in 2010 is projected to be between $8 and $14 pesos per bottle, from harvest to finished product. For the highest quality wine, with low yield grape production, you can double these figures. SCL has reserved space in top wineries to make private label wines each year.

12) Can I have a home on my lot in a SCL development?
Yes, absolutely. An important part of the SCL concept is to create a communities of like-minded people who want to enjoy the country and vineyard lifestyle, and share the natural splendor of Valle de Uco or other similar areas in Mendoza. The SCL architectural team has designed a number of deluxe homes for you to choose from. You can choose a pre-designed home, and then modify it to your specifications, or you can design your home from scratch with our architects, or an architect of your own. These homes can also be built on stand alone properties outside SCL developments.

13) What are the costs for constructing a house?
Costs depend on the options you choose, however, high quality construction with top materials and fixtures runs between $2,000 pesos and $2,800 pesos per square meter (about $52 USD to $75 USD per square foot). Homes built at the lower price are nice, good quality, but more simple in the finishing. In the higher price range homes are more luxurious with the best materials and fixtures. These prices include the installation of a septic system, and propane gas system. You can choose from model homes pre-designed with floor plans, or customize your own design. SCL has a construction team to build your house from one of the pre-designed options, and architects (including renowned Bormida & Yanzon, www.bormidayanzon.com.ar ) that can design your home from scratch, or you can choose a contractor of your own.

14) When my house is built does SCL have a management service available?
Yes, the SCL hospitality team can manage your property in turnkey fashion. Owners can choose from basic to all-inclusive fee-based management packages. SCL can do everything from maintaining your home, to managing and paying your local bills, to arranging custom travel, airport pick-ups, stocking your house with food for your arrival, arranging chefs, maids, masseuses, and more. SCL also specializes in renting homes in Valle de Uco, a market that is just beginning. There is high demand for rental homes and virtually no supply. There is good opportunity for significant rental income of a quality home. All you have to do is relax and enjoy.

15) ) In terms of timing in buying a property, how long does the process take, and what should I expect?
In one of our projects, like Tierra Mansa, the timing is up to you and only depends on lot availability. All titles are clear and perfect, and the paperwork process is simple. If you are looking to buy a property from our real estate brokerage, one of our listings, then the process is very similar to the U.S. and other countries. You provide us with your guidelines, and we present you with information on the properties that best suit your needs. We always highly recommend that you make plans to visit Mendoza and see the properties for yourself as soon as you can. Please be aware that property availability can change quickly. The market is very fluid, with properties selling, and new properties being added to our listings. In general, once you decide on a property, and agree on the price and terms, the Compraventa (sales contract), and the escritura (title documents) process takes about 60 days.

Please see our General Information page, on the right hand side of the web site main menu for a description of the property purchasing process.
www.southerncrossland.com/gral-info.html

We invite you to visit our Tierra Mansa – A Gated Vineyard Community site within our web site. Tierra Mansa is a vineyard community in harmony with nature, located at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Valle de Uco. Complete packages—including lot (about 1.5 acres, planted with Malbec), and deluxe 2 bedroom/2.5 bath home of about 1,635 square feet—start at $199,500 USD. Plus there is an excellent opportunity to rent your home through SCL management services to generate significant annual cash flow.
www.southerncrossland.com/properties/Tierra_Mansa.html