The Best Vineyards to Visit In Mendoza, Argentina!
Download Travel Details >PRIVATE & SMALL GROUP TOURS TO THE WORLD'S BEST DESTINATIONS
Join Us In Argentina!
Salud! Exploring Argentina’s Bountiful Vineyards
From the vineyards of Mendoza Province to the crowded streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina is a country that celebrates its diversity. However, the one thing Argentines can unequivocally agree upon is their love for wine. Mendoza is one of the biggest wine-growing regions in the country, but which are the best vineyards to visit in Mendoza? Keep reading to learn more!
Visiting Mendoza Province
Wine is such an integral part of Argentina’s culture that it has been designated by the government as the country’s official beverage. But grape growing has not always been a traditional part of South American culture. Instead, it was brought to the new world by Spanish explorers who planted the first vineyards in Argentina in 1556. Centuries later, Argentina dominates the world wine scene, with the country’s Malbecs drawing countless visitors to top Mendoza Province wine tastings each year.
Today, Argentina is the fifth-largest wine producer in the world, and – in terms of consumption – Buenos Aires is second only to Paris. Mendoza Province is one of the most tourist-friendly wine-producing regions in the country, with many popular stops to sample the local vino. Here is a short list of the top cities with the best vineyards to visit in Mendoza:
- Mendoza City: The capital of Mendoza province in Argentina. Located in the northern-central part of the province, it sits amid rolling foothills and high plains, on the eastern side of the Andes.
- Lujan de Cuyo: Located in the southern region of Mendoza Province, this city bears the nickname “the Napa Valley of Argentina.”
- Godoy Cruz: This suburb sits immediately south of Mendoza City and is an agricultural oasis for grapes, fruit, potatoes, and alfalfa.
- Maipu: Located just a short distance from Mendoza City, Maipú is an important wine-growing destination. It also is home to the Museo del Vino, the Wine and Grape Harvest Museum.
- San Rafael: San Rafael is the second largest city in Mendoza Province and is home to more than 100 small, family-owned wineries that welcome tourists every year.
The Mendoza region is the heart of Argentina’s wine production. Three-quarters of all the wine produced in the country is made in Mendoza, making Mendoza Province wine tastings a prime tourist attraction. So, let’s raise a glass and make a toast as you read on to discover the best vineyards to visit in Mendoza!
Following The Ruta del Vino In Argentina
Mendoza is a province in the Cuyo region of Argentina. Located near the western region of the country, it is bordered on the north by San Juan Province, on the east by the San Luis and La Pampa Provinces, on the south by Neuquén Province, and on the west by Chile and the Andes Mountain range.
Throughout Mendoza Province, small vineyards and wineries dot the countryside, offering visitors a taste of the country’s best vintages. By following the Ruta del Vino, you’ll be able to find the top Mendoza Province wine tastings along the way.
|
Name |
Location |
Specifications |
|
Bodega Kaiken |
Lujan de Cuyo |
Built in 1920, Kaiken is known for its iconic Malbecs and high-quality wines. While visiting the property, you can opt for a variety of tours around the vineyard and winery and even blend your own signature wine! |
|
Bodega Catena Zapata |
Lujan de Cuyo, 35 minutes from Kaiken |
Founded in 1902, Bodega Catena Zapata is credited with putting Malbec on the map as an Argentine specialty. If you want to visit Catena Zapata, make a reservation and choose between one of the three exclusive tours on offer. |
|
Domaine Bousquet |
Tupungato Valley |
Known for its organic wines, Domaine Bousquet also offers visitors world-class dining with wine pairings in the Gaia Restaurant. |
|
Bodegas Salentein |
Known for its innovative wine-tasting experiences, unique architecture, and stunning surroundings, Bodegas Salentein is one of the best vineyards to visit in Mendoza. Visitors can enjoy tours of the vineyards and cellar, wine tastings, and food pairings. |
|
|
Bodega Septima |
Uco Valley |
Situated on a hillside, the winery offers stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. Visitors to Bodega Septima can enjoy guided tours, as well as wine tastings paired with local cheeses and meats. The tasting room features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the vineyards and the Andes mountains in the distance. |
|
Bodega Ruca Malen |
Lujan de Cuyo |
This winery is known for its sustainable and organic farming practices, as well as its blending workshops where visitors can blend their very own bottles of wine. |
|
Bodega Norton |
Luján de Cuyo |
Founded in 1895, this winery has received international recognition for its high-quality wines, particularly its Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Visitors to Bodega Norton can enjoy guided tours of the vineyards, cellar, and production facilities, as well as wine tastings and food pairings. |
Exploring Mendoza Province by Bike
Mendoza Province is Argentina’s number one wine-producing region. It is particularly well known for its Malbec wine, as well as its incredible scenery. If you’d like to combine to two, one of the most popular ways to explore Mendoza City and the bodegas directly on its outskirts is by bike!
Simply rent a bike from one of the shops in town and purchase a map for your day of adventure. As you pedal around back roads searching for the best vineyards to visit in Mendoza, you will find several well-known wineries along the well-marked bike route. Each of these wineries allows visitors to enjoy a wine tasting while enjoying the scenery. Enjoy top Mendoza Province wine tastings at three or four bodegas along the route, then return to the city center to deposit your bike!
Sipping Your Way Across Argentina
Wine is just as important to Argentinian culture as the tango. Fortunately for visitors, tour operators like Gondwana Ecotours specialize in small group tours to some of the best vineyards to visit in Mendoza! Enjoy the relaxed pace of the tour as you sip your way across Mendoza Province, learning about the history of wine-making in Argentina and how it has shaped the very fabric of Argentina’s culture today.
