“Some people just like adventure,” says Stephen Vletas; entrepreneur, extreme skier, and professional fly fisher.  “I’m one of them. I love exploring, trying new things, and when someone says something is impossible, that is always intriguing because very little is impossible.”

                Stephen first visited Argentina in 1990, when he arrived in Bariloche to explore for his fly fishing company, Westbank Anglers. The trip was a success, and Stephen began sending discriminating anglers to fish top rivers and lakes from San Martin de Los Andes  to Cholila and Esquel. Over the following ten years, this high end tourism business grew to cover the length of the country, from Tierra del Fuego, to Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Corrientes and Salta.

                But just exploring Argentina wasn’t enough. Stephen began exploring the world in search of the finest fly-fishing destinations for his upscale travel clientele; everywhere from the Bahamas, to Alaska, Mexico, Chile, New Zealand, Costa Rica, the Seychelles, and points in-between. Along the way the Bahamas became a second home (Jackson Hole, USA, the first), which led Stephen to become the author of The Bahamas Fly-Fishing Guide. He has also written a novel and many magazine articles for international publications on subjects ranging from fly-fishing in saltwater to gourmet wine tours in South America. After selling his company in 2002, Stephen had more time to renew his passion for Argentina.

                Enter Mendoza. When a friend suggested a trip in 2003 to explore the wine country and maybe buy some property, Stephen was on the next plane. The result was that Stephen co-founded Postales del Plata in 2003, a hotel and tourism company based in Chacras de Coria and Valle de Uco. Then Stephen delved deeper into the intricacies of Argentine business and real estate, and discovered a need for smaller sized properties to sell to foreign investors and lifestyle seekers. To create these “mini-fincas”, larger properties were purchased, and subdivided into multiple lots of approximately 5 hectares. The focus was on Valle de Uco, Mendoza’s premier vineyard and wine tourism area, and recognized as one of the 8 Great Wine Capitals of the world. And so the idea of managed private vineyard estates began in earnest.

                Stephen started the projects of Armani Vineyard Estates and Villa Dolce Vita in 2005, and sold them through his real estate development company, Southern Cross Land. Along with the president of SCL, Laura Villegas, Stephen bought and sold a number of properties in Valle de Uco through 2006 and 2007, as the real estate market boomed. He sold his interest in Postales del Plata in 2007 to focus more on project management for foreign investors, and on his own developments—with Laura Villegas— like Tierra Mansa, the premier private vineyard estate community in Vista Flores, on the quiet paved road to Manzano Historico.

                Tierra Mansa sprawls over 257 acres (103 hectares) at the foot of the snow-draped Andes Mountains, just one hour from Mendoza City and the international airport.  Lot sizes range from 3,000 square meters for home sites to 5 hectares for vineyard estates. Buyers can choose from 6 luxury model home options. Significant rental income opportunities are available through SCL’s project management division, as is turnkey private label winemaking. Custom vineyards are created from scratch, crafted from the perfect Andean terroir, and developed by hand in harmony with the natural surroundings.

                That philosophy, in harmony with nature, permeates Tierra Mansa, and is Stephen’s style in all projects he develops and manages. He likes to work closely with the local government and local businesses to enhance the community, create jobs, and improve the areas infrastructure. “Working with the people, being part of the community, the culture, is the only way to work and live successfully in a foreign country,” Stephen says. “That’s one of the reasons I learned to speak Castellano when I first arrived, and now I’m Mendocino.”

                 Mendoza is now Stephen's "third" home, where he and his professional team work to bring turnkey investment and lifestyle services to all Southern Cross Land clients. SCL is currently managing an important hotel, spa, and vineyard development in Vistalba/Lujan de Cuyo that will bring the highest level of international tourism services to Mendoza.  SCL is also beginning a new concept in Real Estate Tours, offering potential clients a first-hand look at the top real estate investments in the area, combined with enjoying Mendoza’s world class wine scene.

                When not working, Stephen can be found laying down first tracks on Rendezvous Mountain or in Las Lenas, casting a fly to bonefish in the Bahamas or to trout in Patagonia, or sipping a nice Malbec in Valle de Uco.