AR
Mendoza
The Wine Capital of South America
The Wine Capital of South America
The Luján de Cuyo bodega tasting (the finest Malbec terroir in the world; the Catena Zapata (the finest winery in Argentina; the Mayan pyramid-shaped winery; tasting from 1,500 ARS; book at catenawines.com); the Zuccardi Valle de Uco; the Clos de los Siete (the finest Médoc-style Malbec blend)) is the finest wine-tasting experience in the world.
💡 Catena Zapata Winery (Luján de Cuyo; tasting from 1,500 ARS; the finest winery in Argentina; the Mayan pyramid-shaped building; the finest Malbec producer in the world; book at catenawines.com at least 1 week ahead).
Aconcagua (the highest mountain outside Asia; 6,959m; the Aconcagua Provincial Park day trip (200km northwest; 2.5h); the Los Horcones Ranger Station viewpoint (the finest Aconcagua face view from the road); the Puente del Inca (the finest natural stone bridge in South America; free)) is the finest Andean day trip from any South American city.
💡 Aconcagua Provincial Park day trip (200km northwest; 2.5h; the Los Horcones Ranger Station viewpoint (the finest Aconcagua face view accessible by road); the Puente del Inca (the finest natural stone bridge in South America; free)).
The Chacras de Coria wine cycling circuit (the finest wine cycling experience in the world; the 30km circuit through the Luján de Cuyo vine rows; bicycle rental from 800 ARS/day; the Bodegas Renacer (the finest cycling-accessible bodega in Chacras de Coria)) is the finest cycling day in South America.
💡 Wine cycling circuit (the Chacras de Coria; bicycle rental from 800 ARS/day; the 30km circuit through the Luján de Cuyo vine rows; the finest wine cycling experience in the world).
The Plaza Independencia (the finest civic square in Mendoza; the Sunday artisan market (every Sunday 9am–4pm; the finest leather and silver goods in Mendoza Province); the underground Museo Municipal (free)) and the Mendoza wine country restaurants (the finest parrilla and bodega restaurants in the Cuyo) are the essential Mendoza city experiences.
💡 Plaza Independencia (free; the Sunday artisan market (every Sunday 9am–4pm; the finest leather, silver, and Andean weaving in Mendoza Province); the underground Museo Municipal (free)).
Mendoza eating is the finest wine-and-food combination in South America: the bodega lunch (the asado parrilla served at the winery with the estate Malbec; the most specifically Mendoza experience; US$25–80 pp at any bodega restaurant), the Mendoza olive oil (the most celebrated Argentine olive oil; the Mendoza olive oil is produced in the same high-altitude desert conditions as the wine; the liquid gold of the Cuyo; available at every bodega shop and city deli), the locro (the Cuyo winter stew of corn, white beans, pork and chorizo; the most specifically Argentine winter dish; US$8–15 at any Mendoza parilla in the winter months), and the Mendoza empanadas (the cuyo empanada has a distinctive crimped edge and is baked rather than fried; the recado filling (ground beef with hard-boiled egg, spring onion, and cumin) is the most specifically Mendoza empanada; US$2–3 each at any panadería). The Zuccardi Valle de Uco restaurant (the finest single lunch in the Mendoza wine country; the rammed-earth dining room; the Valle de Uco produce; book 2–4 weeks ahead; US$60–100 pp), and the El Francés (the finest steak restaurant in central Mendoza; the Mendoza Malbec by the glass) are the two most celebrated Mendoza eating addresses.
The Luján de Cuyo bodega tasting circuit (the finest wine-tasting region in South America; the Catena Zapata (the finest winery in Argentina).
Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the world outside Asia; 6,959m; the highest point of the Americas; the Aconcagua Provincial Park day trip (200km northwest; 2.5h by bus or rental car)).
The Chacras de Coria wine cycling circuit (the finest wine cycling experience in the world).
The Vendimia Festival (first week of March; harvest parade through Mendoza city; free street events; ticketed finale at the Frank Romero Day amphitheatre) requires hotel bookings 12 months in advance.
Luján de Cuyo bodega day (bus or taxi; the Catena Zapata (tasting from 1,500 ARS; book ahead); the Zuccardi or the Clos de los Siete). Wine cycling in Chacras de Coria (bicycle rental from 800 ARS/day; the 30km circuit through the vine rows).
💡 The Mendoza wine tour (Catena Zapata + Zuccardi + Clos de los Siete; the finest 3-winery day in the world; bus or remis taxi from Mendoza city; or bicycle from Chacras de Coria (30km circuit)) requires advance booking at each bodega — book at least 1 week ahead at catenawines.com, familiazuccardi.com, and clos.com.ar.
Aconcagua day trip (200km northwest; 2.5h by bus; the Los Horcones viewpoint; the Puente del Inca). Plaza Independencia (free; Sunday artisan market (Sunday 9am–4pm)). Parrilla dinner in Mendoza city.
💡 The Grape Harvest Festival (Vendimia; the finest wine festival in South America; the first weekend of March; the Parque General San Martín; the finest free wine event in South America) — book the Mendoza accommodation 6 months ahead for the Vendimia weekend.
Mendoza is one of the most affordable wine destinations in the world: the cycle hire (US$10/day) and 2–3 small bodega tastings (US$10–20 pp each) give a complete wine country afternoon for under US$50.
The Catena Zapata tasting (US$30–80 pp; pre-book 2 weeks ahead) combined with the Chacras cycling route (US$10 bicycle hire; 2 more bodegas) for a total of US$55–110 pp gives the most complete Mendoza wine day at any price.
Cavas Wine Lodge (Costa Flores s/n, Alto Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo; the most celebrated wine lodge in South America; 14 private casitas each with a private pool in the vineyards; the underground cave cellar; US$300–600/night; the)
Catena Zapata (catenawines.com) for the Luján de Cuyo bodega tour and tasting booking (from 1,500 ARS; book at least 1 week ahead).
Free
Zuccardi (familiazuccardi.com) for the Valle de Uco winery tour and tasting booking (from 2,000 ARS; book at least 1 week ahead).
Free
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