The city of Mendoza is small and peaceful, with tree-lined avenues and colourful plazas. The strong Italian and Spanish heritage are present in the daily lifestyle of locals who pack into coffee shops and ice cream parlors on every corner, and take a daily siesta at 3:00 p.m.
To get under the skin of Mendoza’s wine scene, you have to head out to the nearby wine regions.
Maipu
6 miles from Mendoza
The historic home of wine in Mendoza. Quaint vineyards with old vines sit alongside beautiful old wineries built in the last century. Trip back in time by visiting Benegas, Familia di Tomasso and Trapiche. If you are a fan of history and old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the region for you.
Lujan de Cuyo
11 miles from Mendoza
Nicknamed ‘the cradle of Malbec’, Lujan is the wine region that made Argentine Malbec famous worldwide. Big names to visit here include Paul Hobbs’ Cobos, Catena Zapata, Achaval Ferrer, and Norton. If you want to winery hop with few pauses between Malbec pitstops, Lujan is your region.
Uco Valley
50 miles from Mendoza
The furthest from the city and the closest to the mountains, the Uco Valley is the final frontier for Mendoza. The higher altitude creates a cooler climate suitable for a wide range of white wines as well as red. The Uco Valley is also home to the most modern, and architecturally impressive, wineries in Argentina. Zuccardi, Salentein, and O Fournier are three stunning wineries to add to your hit list. If you are a design geek, the Uco Valley is the region for you.
Touring tip: After your fifth or sixth glass, it can be hard to remember which was your fave! Download the Vivino app and log your tasting notes on the road, so we can do the remembering for you. You can also check out which wines are available at home, and which ones you need to stash away in your suitcase!
Mendoza’s Hidden Gems
Sparkling wine: One of the best-guarded secrets in Argentina is the quality of its sparkling wine. It lured Moet & Chandon to invest outside of Champagne in Mendoza’s vineyards in the 50s, and Mendoza continues to make excellent fizz today. If you are a fan of bubbles, visit Cruzat winery in Lujan. The septuagenarian winemaker Pedro Rosell is responsible for making some of the best sparkling wine in South America.
Family wineries: Visiting a winery run by the family is always a special experience, and in Mendoza the tradition still runs deep. We recommend visiting the Bressia family. After several years as one of Mendoza’s most sought-after winemakers, Walter Bressia started his own winery with his children. You’ll get a warm, family welcome, and the chance to try excellent red blends and one of Vivino users’ favourite Argentine Pinot Noirs.
Winery lunches: Delighting in course after course of fine food and guzzle-worthy wine at a local winery is definitely a highlight of any visit. If you want to get off the beaten track, venture out to Casa El Enemigo. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil’s El Enemigo Cabernet Franc is renowned for being one of the best in Argentina. After indulging in an array of delicious wines and tasty delights from the grill, you’ll find it hard to resist a siesta afterwards!
Beyond Wine: Other Attractions in Mendoza
If you need a rest from Malbec and steak, head to the mountains where locals get their fix of the great outdoors. This is the heart of gaucho-country, so horse riders should trek into the Andes on a trusty stead, or try their hands at ‘pato’—this national sport is the gaucho-equivalent of polo, only much harder!
Mountaineers must fix their eyes on Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside the Himalayas. If you can’t spare the fortnight trying to reach the summit, there are beautiful day hikes at base camp. And for those who like to take it a bit easier, soak your bones in the thermal pools of Cacheuta for a perfect remedy to over-indulgence.
How to Get Around & Where to Stay in Mendoza
If you are a night owl, then stay in Mendoza city center. Aristides Villanueva is the street with all the nightlife, and central Mendoza is very walkable. From the city, you can get out to wineries and activities with tour companies, by taxi (although be warned: the meter runs up fast when going to the Uco Valley!) or hire car. For budget options, try the wine route bus, or go on a winery bike tour in Maipu.
If you want to stay in the peace and quiet of the vineyards, then pick from the buffet of beautiful wine hotels in Lujan de Cuyo or the Uco Valley. A hire car is almost essential, but ambling around the country lanes and getting into the relaxed pace of life is all part of the experience!
If you want to start tasting Mendoza while you plan your trip, shop some of the region's best bottles under $50.