It’s rare to blend spiritual philosophy with landscape architecture, but that unique combination is what makes Eduardo Vera quite an interesting individual. As The Vines Resort and Spa’s Landscape Designer, Eduardo takes an approach that is as truly special as his path in life.
Eduardo is a Mendocinian that has traveled the world pursuing his passion for landscape. At age 16, he started working in his own nurseries in Argentina. He continued to work with gardens while he attended university for a degree in engineering. Eduardo left college early to pursue gardens further, and went to Ibiza, Spain. During five years there he had the random chance to construct a garden for Roman Polanski. Next he decided to move to Madrid where he met a mentor, the Landscape Architect Leandro Silva Delgado, who urged him to continue his talents by going to Escuela Catillo de Batres.
Eduardo returned to Mendoza in 1994. He didn’t plan to stay, but another amazing opportunity reinvigorated his purpose and changed his mind. He was asked to restore a garden that was built by Carlos Thays, a French landscaper who has styled many major parks in Latin America. Eduardo said, “That job made me realize that there was a lot of work to do in Argentina. I wanted to give back to my country.”
Over the past few decades Eduardo has incorporated meditation, spending time with monks in Kyoto, Japan and finding a balance in life into the way he views his work. He described his approach to landscaping, “I like to mix engineering, architecture, hydro design and botanical perspectives into my art. I want people to be a part of nature, have a sense of connection to their world and be at peace.”
You can expect the Argentine definition of “tranquilo” (or peaceful) in all of the landscaping that surrounds you at our resort.
Ross Szabo is spending time in Mendoza learn about wine and resort development after two years of serving in the Peace Corps in Botswana.