The Best Wineries in Mendoza, A Wine Tasting Guide

Mendoza is one of my favorite destinations in Argentina.

The wineries are beautiful and abundant.

Views of the Andes Mountains are epic.

The air is crisp, the weather is generally always sunny, and the people are warm.

There are also traditional ranches, horseback rides, hikes included in the many things to do in Mendoza

But this post isn’t about those things.

This post is all about the best wineries in Mendoza’s three wine regions as well as best wine lodges, wine tours and winery lunches.

I have been to Mendoza twice but unfortunately for me, it’s been a while since I’ve been back.

Between the pandemic and having babies, Mendoza hasn’t been in the cards for me since 2018.

I sure hope to remedy that soon, and was holding off on updating this post until my triumphant return, but what can I say, I’m impatient.

This refreshed post includes all of the best bodegas in Mendoza I’ve visited including new wineries and restaurants that are on my ever growing wish list, the ones I’ll visit next time.

Wine lovers, get ready.

QUICK NOTE: This post contains affiliate links and Sol Salute may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.

A Complete Guide to Wine Tasting in Mendoza

One thing you need to know before you plan your Mendoza wine tour is that it’s huge.

There are actually three major wine regions that make up Mendoza: Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo, and the Uco Valley.

While you will taste incredible wine anywhere you go in Mendoza, all wineries and wine regions were not created equal regarding experience.

The three Mendoza wine regions are:

  • Maipu is closest to the city and easiest to reach by bus then tour by bike. I recommend it for backpackers on a shoestring budget.
  • Lujan de Cuyo is a little further from the city yet still reachable by bus or an affordable taxi. Some wineries are reachable on foot, others by bike, and the best of the best by car or taxi.
  • The Uco Valley is home to the best wineries in Mendoza and most stunning views. It is the furthest from the city (an hour and a half drive). You need to hire a private driver like this one or rent a car.

Wine tastings and tours are very affordable in Argentina compared to the US and Europe.

Some cost as little as $5.

The quality of the Mendoza wine you will taste here is excellent and lucky for you, so is the quantity.

Tasting sizes tend to be full pours here (which makes the private drivers worth their weight in gold).

NOTE: You’ll also want to read my guide on Where to Stay in Mendoza (with all of the best hotels and neighborhoods).

Short on time? If you only have one day to dedicate to Mendoza wine tastings, I recommend spending it in the Uco Valley. It has the best vineyards, the highest quality wine, and the most impressive views.

Book a private tour with Borravino Wine Tours, they offer affordable all-inclusive day tours to the region of your choice.

Book here and use my code SOLSALUTE for special perks like an additional winery visit free of charge.

A woman sits on a swing in a pink t-shirt in front of a vineyard
Wine tasting at the best wineries in Mendoza in the Uco Valley, my personal happy place

My Mendoza Winery Wish List

Look, these lists are usually written after a blogger goes to a place once and writes up the few wineries or tours they went to.

Or maybe a journalist gets schmoozed at a set list of wineries (something I’d be willing to do, in case anyone that does that sort of thing is reading, wink wink).

The 14 main wineries in this blog post (listed later) are the former.

They are the wineries we visited on our first two trips to Mendoza wineries.

But I haven’t been to Mendoza since 2018 and considering I live in Argentina, that is far too long.

In fact, it’s unacceptable considering how much wine I consume.

So, unsurprisingly, I’ve accumulated quite the wish list of Mendoza wineries I want to visit on our next trip (hopefully soon, I type with crossed fingers).

Here they are, add them to your list:

  • Viña Cobos – Lujan de Cuyo – A favorite of a friend who knows what she’s talking about
  • Bodega Rolland at Clos de los Siete – Valle de Uco
  • Cruzat – Lujan de Cuyo – Known for their sparkling wine
  • Susana Balbo – Lujan de Cuyo – Balbo was the first female winemaker in Argentina.
  • Riccitelli – Lujan de Cuyo – Their restaurant has become the spot since I’ve last been so I’ll definitely do a tour and lunch next trip
  • Casa Vigil / El Enemigo – Maipu – Their restaurant is always on the World’s Top 50 list and the wine is fantastic.
  • Decero – Lujan de Cuyo
  • Anaia – Lujan de Cuyo
  • Achaval Ferrer – Lujan de Cuyo – Ex-Melipal, Previously I raved about Melipal but it has since been bought out by Achaval Ferrer.
  • Andeluna – Valle de Uco
Dried vines in a vineyard in winter in front of a mountain range

Best Wineries in Maipu

Maipu – let’s start with the area closest to Mendoza city proper and possibly the easiest to visit.

This area is popular with backpackers.

It’s easy to reach most of the wineries in Maipu by bus then renting a bike.

Alternatively, you could take taxis or Uber/Cabify between tastings.

For even more ease, you can go on a guided Maipu bike tour like this one to see the top wineries and get off the backpacker path.

The main road was very industrial if you are biking.

When we biked Maipu (admittedly back in 2014), the bike lane was next to mainly 18 wheelers and large lorries, not exactly fitting with the romantic image I had imagined of riding among the vines.

However, once we were in the wineries themselves, and off the road, these Maipu bodegas were very beautiful.

Bodega La Rural

If you’re interested in history you’ll love La Rural and their Museo de VIno filled with wine production antiques.

La Rural is one of the most important bodegas in Argentina.

Felipe Rutini starting making wine here in 1885 and their wines are on just about every menu in the country.

Unlike most Mendoza wineries, most of their wine is consumed locally, rather than for export, so if you’re visiting from abroad their wines may be new to you.

The tour ends with a wine tasting in their impressive tasting room.

🍷Visit Bodega La Rural
📍Monte Caseros 2625, M5513 Maipú, Mendoza
How to visit: Website. Tours of the winery and museum, Monday-Saturday & Holidays from 9 am to 5:30 pm. Last guided tour departs at 4 pm.

Mevi

Mevi is a great option for lunch on the bike route of Maipu wineries.

It is charmingly boutique compared to the mass production of La Rural.

We skipped the full tasting in favor of ordering a glass of delicious Malbec Rose to enjoy on their terrace (we’d already had quite a bit of wine by this point).

For food you can order a picada (charcuterie platter) to enjoy on one of their two terraces.

They are located down a small road further from the main highway so it is quiet and beautiful here.

🍷Visit Mevi
📍Moreno 1751, M5513 Maipú, Mendoza
How to visit: Website. Tuesday-Saturday, from noon to 6 pm. Check for holiday schedules. Make reservations on their reservation portal.

Trapiche

Trapiche is the one winery in Maipu I wish we had had time to visit but weren’t able to.

No matter where you’re visiting from, you’ve likely seen a bottle of Trapiche Malbec on your store shelves back home.

They are one of the oldest wineries in the region, established in 1883 and winning awards since 1889.

The building you’ll tour is newer to Trapiche remodeled and restored to its previous glory.

Visiting Trapiche is at the top of my wish list for future trips.

If you’ve tried their wines at home don’t miss the chance to learn about their interesting history in person.

🍷Visit Trapiche
📍Address: C. Nueva Mayorga s/n, M5513 Maipú, Mendoza
How to visit: Mondays-Sundays from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Final tour at 4. Make reservations on their website.

Lujan de Cuyo

The Best Wineries in Lujan de Cuyo

Luján de Cuyo, now we’re talking.

I love Lujan de Cuyo.

It’s also incredibly easy to get to from the city center.

You can take a city bus from Mendoza to the small town of Chacras de Coria and it takes about 45 minutes.

A taxi will be very affordable as well and only take 20 minutes.

In fact, a lot of people use taxis or ride sharing apps to get from one tasting to another.

In Luján de Cuyo you’re closer to the Andes than in Maipu, making the views much more impressive.

You can rent bikes to visit wineries in and around Chacras de Coria or if you have a car or driver, visit the wineries further afield (it’s worth it, I promise!).

Lujan de Cuyo tours

If you’re visiting wineries on your own with taxis or a rental car, it’s best to reserve in advance.

Organize your days with 3 tastings, one including a lunch, per day.

If you don’t want to deal with those logistics, hire a tour wine tour of Lujan de Cuyo:

  • Bike Tour of Lujan de Cuyo – I always recommend this region for biking, wineries are close enough to make it feasible but it’s much more beautiful than Maipu.
  • Private Tour of Lujan de Cuyo – This tour includes my favorite wineries like Carmelo Patti and will take care of all the logistics, no need to deal with reservations or transportation.
Carmelo Patti is my favorite Mendoza winery in Lujan de Cuyo

Carmelo Patti

No reservation needed, check his Facebook page here for hours.

This is a must visit if you’re in the area.

I’ve been twice and I’ll visit Carmelo Patti every time I go to Mendoza.

Carmelo Patti is a garage winery, which technically means there is no cellar, but it’s also in a garage-like warehouse.

Carmelo Patti (seen above) is the winemaker, owner, and even the tour guide!

Just show up and he’ll give you a tour free of charge.

If you buy a bottle, he’ll sign it and write which year to open it for best results.

He is incredibly charming and passionate about what he does, making a visit to his tiny bodega unforgettable.

🍷Visit Carmelo Patti
📍Address: San Martín 2614, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
How to visit: Mondays-Sundays, 11 am – 1 pm, 3 pm – 5 pm. When we visited no reservation was needed.

Lagarde

Lagarde produces excellent wine grown on a beautiful historic estate.

It was founded in 1897 but was acquired by the Pescarmona family in 1969.

Today it’s run by two sisters, Lucia and Sofia Pescarmona.

It’s exciting to see women take the frontlines in Mendoza and you can try it in Lagarde’s Proyecto Hermanas line.

I loved touring this winery and of course, tasting their wines.

If you’re looking for a more upscale restaurant for lunch, their two restaurants – Zonda and Fogon – are of the best in the area.

🍷Visit Lagarde
📍San Martín 1745, M5507 Mayor Drummond, Mendoza
How to visit: Make a reservation for a tour or at one of their two restaurants on their website.

Our Clos de Chacras wine tasting in Chacras de Coria

Clos de Chacras

This boutique winery is located in downtown Chacras de Coria, but once you’re through the gates you feel like you’re miles from the city.

Relax with a glass of their wine on the deck next to their large coy pond or enjoy lunch in their dining room, located inside a beautiful restored building from the 1920’s.

Tours take you through the winery and vineyard and the tasting at the end conveniently comes with a cheese plate that you can enjoy at your leisure.

🍷Visit Clos de Chacras
📍Monte Líbano 1025, M5509 Chacras de Coria, Mendoza
How to visit: Make a reservation for tours, tastings, and their restaurant on their website.

A16 is a beautiful boutique Mendoza bodega in Lujan de Cuyo

A16

I chose A16 purely because I’d never heard of it before.

I like to visit boutique wineries or wineries that are new to me, rather than try wines I see all the time in the shops at home.

The random choice paid off because the wine was spectacular and our tour guide was very friendly.

After our tour of the property (which included a tasting straight from the barrel), we were free to taste any of their wines that we’d like.

I was particularly intrigued by their white wine made out of Malbec grapes.

They have tours and tastings from Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.

On Saturdays, you can watch the sunset from their vineyard with a DJ and a food truck.

🍷Visit A16
📍W35P+76 Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza Province
How to visit: Make a reservation on their website

The view from our lunch table at Ojo de Agua

Ojo de Agua

We had a delicious three-course lunch with wine pairings at Ojo de Agua.

We sat outside on the porch by the vines with a view of the snow-capped Andes.

Ojo de Agua is owned by Swiss artist and musician Dieter Meier.

They don’t sell their wines in Argentina or the US, so eating here may be the only chance you get to try their wine.

🍷Visit Ojo de Agua
📍Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza Province
How to visit: Check their website for hours and menu, email for reservation

A circular concrete building surrounding by a vineyard
SuperUco in The Uco Valley

The Best Wineries in The Uco Valley

You’ll be hard-pressed to have a better Mendoza wine tasting experience than the one you’ll have in the Uco Valley.

If you only have one day to spend tasting wine in Argentina, then choose a tour or private driver that will bring you here.

Note: You absolutely must make reservations ahead of time in the Uco Valley.

If you’re planning to rent a car and go on your own, spend some time planning your itinerary and making reservations before you leave for Argentina.

If you’re touring with a private driver, they likely take care of it for you (check to be sure) but can follow your itinerary if its important to you.

Also, if your driver or guide is creating your itinerary and you want to visit a specific winery, let them know in advance.

O. Fournier in the Uco Valley is an architectural masterpiece.

Alfa Crux

Alfa Crux may be hard to reach but it’s worth every minute you sit in the car to get there.

It took us an hour to get there from Tupungato (where we stayed in the Uco Valley). It will take an hour and forty minutes from Mendoza’s city center.

The wines were spectacular and the building was as well.

If you love architecture, then you have to visit Alfa Crux.

The highlight for me (besides the wine, of course) were the massive tanks that also served as structural columns.

The tasting includes a wine from all levels of their wines. If you want to get more bang for your buck regarding the drive out, stay for lunch at their restaurant (the views won’t disappoint).

🍷Visit Alfa Crux
📍5VWJ+RM Eugenio Bustos, Mendoza Province
How to visit: The website for their restaurant has a reservations button that opens WhatsApp, consult them about tours and lunch reservations.

Wine bottles and glasses on a white tableclothed table in front of a vineyard in the mountains
Our stunning tasting Superuco in the Uco Valley

SuperUco

SuperUco was my favorite Argentina winery tour and tasting.

This Uco Valley winery is owned by the four Michelini brothers and is a family passion project.

They grow and produce their wines organically and bio-dynamically, aiming to keep everything as close to the way nature intended as possible.

You can see this in how they grow their vines to how they’ve designed the architecture of the building itself.

The tasting took place on their deck with a view to the Andes in front of us.

Tours are in Spanish or English, but English tours are available every day except Tuesdays or Wednesdays (confirm before going just in case this changes).

🍷Visit SuperUco
📍RP94, M5562 Los Chacayes, Mendoza
How to visit: WhatsApp the number on their website, tours at set times all week but Mondays. Since we have visited they have opened a restaurant, I would love to dine on that deck!

An outdoor restaurant by the mountains
The lunch set up at La Azul is the best I’ve ever seen

Bodega La Azul

Bodega La Azul is my absolute favorite winery and restaurant in all of Mendoza.

We had lunch at Bodega La Azul on both of our visits.

Just like Carmelo Patti above, this is a place I will visit every single time I’m in Mendoza.

Bodega La Azul offers a 5-course lunch with (bottomless) wine pairings.

After lunch, you are taken for a private tasting of a reserve wine straight from the barrel.

I can say confidently this is the best lunch I’ve ever had, twice.

The wine flows freely and the views are unbeatable. 

It is a family-owned winery and the only Uco Valley winery owned by a family actually from Mendoza.

For a unique experience offered by people who truly love what they do, have lunch at La Azul.

You can read more about my most last visit there in my review of Bodega La Azul (restaurant and hotel).

🍷Visit Bodega La Azul
📍GQJH+7J Tupungato, Mendoza Province
How to visit: Reserve via WhatsApp: +54-2622-603443

Domaine Bousquet

French-owned Domain Bousquet makes organic wines in the Uco Valley.

The father of the current owners came to Argentina after searching the world for the perfect location to support organic wine production.

Lucky for us, the dry desert air in Mendoza was perfect.

The dry air, the land, everything came together for him to produce some of the best organic wines in Argentina.

🍷Visit Domaine Bousquet
📍RP89 km. 7, M5561 Tupungato, Mendoza
How to visit: Check their Website, email at turismo@domainebousquet.com or write by WhatsApp: +54 9 261 532 0896

Bodegas Salentein

Salentein is one of the top Mendoza wineries in the Uco Valley | Photo by Matt Broch on Unsplash

Salentein is one of the most popular wines domestically in Argentina and abroad.

You will see it on store shelves everywhere and for good reason.

Their wines are excellent at every level, even their youngest line Portillo finds its way to my kitchen on a regular basis.

This is one of the most popular Mendoza wineries to tour in the Uco Valley.

The building itself is an architectural feat designed to be as inconspicuous as possible.

From ground level it appears to be a minute single-story building but once you descend the staircase you’ll find a massive space with room for 5,000 barrels.

The star of the show (aside from the wine) are the acoustics.

In the center of the barrel room is a space designed to reverberate sound directly upwards.

Concerts can be (and are) had here without affecting the barrels just steps away, not a single drop of wine will vibrate.

There is also an in house art gallery, Espacio Killka.

The only downside is that the visit is more expensive than its neighbors.

For my last two visits it cost U$20 for a tour and tasting. But it’s very much worth it for such a unique experience.

There is also an art gallery on site, a restaurant, and a boutique hotel.

🍷Visit Salentein
How to visit: Reserve one their many experiences from tour/tastings to the restaurant on their website.

Zuccardi Valle de Uco

Zuccardi in the Uco Valley is not only among the best Mendoza wineries, for three consecutive years it has been voted the best vineyard in the world in a list of the world’s Top 50 vineyards (other Argentine bodegas on the list include Salentein, Catena Zapata, and Trapiche).

Even before they won that distinction, Zuccardi has been in my sights for a while. It will be the first tour I schedule for our next trip.

🍷Visit Zuccardi
📍RP89 km. 7, M5561 Tupungato, Mendoza
How to visit: Reserve one their many experiences from tour/tastings to the restaurant on their website.

https://zuccardiwines.com/turismo/
email: reservas@piedrainfinita.com
They have regularly scheduled tours and tastings Tuesday-Sundays (closed Mondays), prior reservations required.

How to bring wine home with you

If you find a wine you love that isn’t exported, then you might want to bring a bottle or 6 home with you.

Wine in Argentina is very cheap for the quality that you get, so many wine loving friends of mine bring many, many bottles home with them each trip.

This is how they do it:

Wine Bottle Suitcase | Holds 12 Standard 750 ML Size Bottles | Universal Airplane Luggage Case, TSA Approved Wheeled Bag For Professionals and Consumers, Gift For Wine Lovers & Connoisseurs (24 IN)

  • A Wine Suitcase – This suitcase is filled with foam and fits 12 bottles. Filled to capacity it remains under 23kg/50lbs so you can check it without an extra fee.
  • Wine Travel Pouches – Maybe you don’t need to bring two cases of wine. If you just want to pick up a bottle or two, these flat pouches take up no space or weight and keep your bottles safe.
  • Inflatable Wine Pouches – These pouches are similar to those above, but inflate. It’s more of a hassle in that you need to have the little pump but they may offer more protection, emphasis on may.

Mendoza Vineyards for Architecture Lovers

Septima, designed by Bormida y Yanzon is designed to blend in with the landscape

A team of two architects together make up the firm Bormida y Yanzon.

If you love architecture and design, you’d be well-served to take their projects into account when planning your wine tasting itinerary.

Together they have designed the most impressive buildings that dot the landscape across Mendoza.

They incorporate innovative materials such as concrete, stone, wood, and glass into their projects that result in a building that echoes the land around it.

Their winery projects are both modern and functional but also fit perfectly into the natural landscape of Mendoza.

A few noteworthy bodegas that they’ve designed include Salentien, O. Fournier, Septima (above) and DiamAndes.

If you’re interested in learning more, put this article about them through Google Translate.

For a complete list of their projects visit their website, click on proyectos, then bodegas.

Bike parking at wineries in Mendoza

How to Get to the Top Mendoza Bodegas

There are SO many top Mendoza wineries to visit but how does one visit them?

There are wine tours galore, hop on hop off buses and (my personal favorite) you can rent a car to take complete control of your trip.

1. Rent a Car

If you’re willing to leave the city and stay in a resort on the most beautiful Mendoza vineyards (scroll to the end on where to stay), it’s much easier with car.

Also, my favorite wineries (and the most beautiful) aren’t accessible by bike or public transportation, and perhaps the cheapest option will be a rental car.

Warning, manual transmissions are most common here and renting an automatic will be costly.

But we must mention the elephant in the room, driving yourself can impede the fun of a wine tasting…

Check Mendoza Rental Car Rates Here.

2. Private Tour with Borravino Wine Tours

The next best thing to renting your own car is having a driver take you on a customized tour.

If it’s in your budget and you’re new to driving in Argentina, it may very well be the best option.

You can fully indulge in the wine without worrying about driving and you won’t have to contact wineries for reservations, which can be a frustrating process.

Borravino Wine Tours are experts, founded and run by a Mendocino who knows the area like only a local can.

Use my code SOLSALUTE at check out for special perks, like a bonus winery visit!

Read below for details on tours:

🍷Borravino Private Day Tours

  • Price per person: USD 175 for Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu; USD 215 for Uco Valley, rates are all inclusive.
  • Traveling with friends? Borravino offers a 10% discount for groups of 4 to 8 people. Larger groups should discuss options directly.
  • Click here for more information, use code SOLSALUTE for a FREE visit to an extra winery

🍷The Mendoza Experience, 3 Days of Wineries

  • If you’re going JUST for the wine, consider booking a multi-day wine tour like Borravino’s 3 day Mendoza Experience. On previous trips I’ve spent 3-4 days visiting wineries and never tire of it.
  • Cost: 565 USD per personC
  • Click here for more information, use coupon code SOLSALUTE for a FREE extra winery visit and airport check-in and check-out.

3. Small Group Tour

If you are traveling alone and a private driver is out of your budget or you’d rather be with fellow travelers, a small group tour like this one is the best option for you.

With max group sizes of 8 people, you’ll still have an intimate experience yet enjoy your experience tasting the best Mendoza wines with a group.

NOTE: The price of a small group tour is about almost what it will cost to hire a private driver, so if you’re with a friend/partner a private driver is, in fact, cheaper and more customizable.

The rate includes visits to 3-4 wineries, a gourmet lunch, and hotel pick-up.

Check rates and reserve your small group tour.

4. Bus Vitivinicola: Hop On-Hop Off Bus

Don’t want to drive but don’t want to pay for a driver?

Take the hop on hop off bus to hit up the best wineries, the tickets are an affordable $22 US.

They operate in different wine regions depending on the day of the week. I personally recommend the El Rio and Valle de Uco days if they work for your itinerary.

Reserve your hop on-hop off bus.

Read Next: Traditional Foods to try in Argentina

5. Bike Rentals and Bike Tours

Out of the three wine regions, two are most easily bikeable. You can bike in Maipu and Lujan.

Of the two, I wholeheartedly, without a doubt, recommend renting in Lujan de Cuyo (I’ve done both and speak from experience).

It’s much more beautiful.

In Maipu you’ll spend much of your time biking along an industrial road but in Chacras de Coria you’re in a small village or on country roads for most of your biking.

For a more curated, guided experience, this bike tour is excellent.

When to Visit Mendoza

The best time of year to visit Mendoza is generally from October until April, from planting until harvest.

However, visiting in summer (January and February) will give you hot afternoons and the busy season.

Locals travel in droves during their summer holidays in January.

The absolute best time to visit Mendoza is in March for harvest (the “cosecha” or vendimia).

Despite all of that, Mendoza is a generally a great destination year-round.

We’ve visited in both September and in March.

In March, we were there a week before the actual harvest festival, so we were able to see the vines lush and full of grapes.

In September, we were there just after most wineries had done their pruning, so we didn’t see any vines and it was still beautiful.

The vines will begin to regrow for spring at around the end of September.

Read more: The Best Time to Visit Argentina

Mendoza Wine Tasting Tips

Planning your day of wineries in Mendoza can be overwhelming.

There are so many to choose from and information about the winery’s tours isn’t often displayed clearly on their websites.

Plan well to make sure you have a great Mendoza wine tasting experience and not ruin your wine tasting.

  • Check opening hours! Many Mendoza vineyards aren’t open Sundays. Others close Mondays and Tuesday.
  • If you’re driving yourself, you’ll need to contact the wineries ahead of time to make your reservations. Their websites usually have an email or WhatsApp number for this.
  • Be persistent. Yes, it’s normal for them to not respond for days. Follow up, be the squeaky wheel. WhatsApp will probably be faster than email.
  • Most wineries begin offering tours from 10 am. Ideally, you’ll visit two wineries at 10 am and 11:30(ish) and a third for lunch. Lunches are best at the wineries themselves, most offering a fixed coursed menu with wine pairings.
  • PRO-TIP: I always like to have a few extra wineries in mind that are nearby. I won’t reserve a tasting with them in case there’s no time. Two tours and lunch can usually fill the day. But if there is time, I’ll swing by and see if they have time to squeeze me in for a tasting (you won’t have time for a third tour).
A wine bottle and two glasses

Sample Mendoza Winery Itineraries

Here are two sample itineraries for my two favorite Mendoza wine regions: Lujan de Cuyo & The Uco Valley.

They’re tried and tested (they’re our itineraries from our more recent trip!).

Take them and copy them identically or use them as a guide, substituting your own favorite wineries that are nearby.

Whichever you choose, I hope you have an excellent day of wine tasting!

Uco Valley Itinerary

If I were to plan a wine tasting in Valle de Uco Itinerary for a friend, this is the day I’d schedule for them.

  1. Alfa Crux – 10 am – This winery is the furthest, so start here and work your way back up. Their first tour is at 10 am, so wake up early and eat a hearty breakfast to prepare yourself for all that wine you’ll be drinking today.
  2. SuperUco – 12 pm – It will take you 40 minutes to drive here from Alfa Crux so you’ll need to schedule SuperUco for no earlier than noon.
  3. Optional Bonus Tasting at Corazon del Sol or Solo Contigo: If you have time for an extra tasting after SuperUco and before your lunch reservation, see if you can squeeze in a quick tasting at one of these two wineries. They’re on the same property as SuperUco (as they form part of The Vines).
  4. Bodega Azul – 2:30 pm for lunch – You’ll spend the remaining hours of your afternoon hours here, so sit back and enjoy the meal. Stretch your legs in between courses under the Mendoza sun looking at the mountains, or lounge on the sofas in the grass after lunch.
A bottle of wine on a table next to a basket of bread
Wine and lunch at Ojo de Agua in Lujan de Cuyo

Lujan de Cuyo Itinerary

This is my ideal day in Lujan de Cuyo, and it’s tried and tested because this is how we spent a day here this year.

You’ll need a car or a driver for this itinerary as these wineries aren’t reachable by bikes rented from Baccus. It’s worth the effort, I promise.

  1. A16 – 10 am – Start your day with a tasting and a tour at A16.
  2. There are a LOT of wineries in this area, pick from: Ruca Malen, Cruzat, Vinas Cobos, Septima, Susan Balbo for winery #2 at 11:30
  3. Ojo de Agua – 1:30 pm for a winery lunch – It took us about 15-20 minutes to drive to Ojo de Agua from Melipal (which has since been bought out by another corporation). Enjoy a leisurely lunch, we finished lunch at 4 pm.
  4. Optional Bonus Tasting after lunch. Wineries close at 5 or 6 so if you play your cards right you can squeeze in one last tasting (no tour) after Ojo de Agua. Choose from: Septima, Cruzat, Viña Cobos or Ruca Malen.

Map of the Best Mendoza Wineries & Hotels

Use the following map to see the locations of the best Mendoza vineyards, hotels & restaurants mentioned in this post.

Tupungato Divino, luxury on a budget in the Uco Valley

Where to stay in Mendoza

Staying in the city is a good option if it’s your first time to Mendoza, if you’re on a tight budget, and/or you don’t want to rent a car.

You’ll be walking distance to great restaurants, museums, and parks.

But staying on a vineyard, especially in the Uco Valley, is my favorite choice for Mendoza accommodation. This is best if you have your own rental car.

For detailed information I have a complete guide on where to stay in Mendoza, or just pick from the list below.

Here is a curated selection of places to stay in Mendoza from hostels in the city to resorts:

Wine Tasting in Mendoza’s Bodegas: In Summary

I hope this post gives you EVERYTHING you need to know to visit Mendoza.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please let me know in the comments and I’ll answer you as soon as I can.

If I missed your favorite Mendoza vineyard, let me know in the comments as well!

I’m always looking for places to visit on our next Argentine wine trip.

Cheers!!

Argentina Travel Resources

  • TRAVEL INSURANCE | It is always a good idea to travel insured. It protects you in so many cases, like lost luggage and trip cancellations, medical emergencies and evacuations. It’s very affordable with the potential to save you thousands in the case of an emergency. I recommend SafetyWing.
  • PHONE PLAN | These days, traveling with data is essential. Especially in Argentina where everything is managed on Instagram and WhatsApp. I recommend this E-SIM card. It’s hassle-free and affordable, for more read how to get an Argentina sim card.
  • ACCOMMODATION IN ARGENTINA | booking.com is the most common hotel site used in Argentina and it’s where you’ll find the most options.
  • RENTAL CARS | I love to travel Argentina via road trip, check out Booking.com’s Rental Cars (formerly rentalcars.com) for the best rates for rental cars here.
  • BUS TICKETS | I like Busbud for long distance bus routes and tickets.
  • VPN | If you’ll be using a public WiFi connection and want to secure your data, I highly recommend using a VPN, I personally use and have had a good experience with ExpressVPN. I also use it to access Hulu and American Netflix from Argentina.
  • FLIGHTS | Always check Google Flights and Skyscanner for flights to and within Argentina. Aerolineas Argentina is the local airline with the most routes. FlyBondi and Jetsmart are two budget airlines with dirt-cheap prices (but expect to pay for every add-on like luggage).
  • NEED HELP PLANNING? | I offer one-on-one travel consultations to help you plan your trip to Argentina. Pick my brain to get a local’s insight. Click here for more information.

Read More About Argentina Wine Regions

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39 thoughts on “The Best Wineries in Mendoza, A Wine Tasting Guide”

  1. Wine is the official national drink here in Argentina so definitely include it in a tour if you visit! πŸ™‚

  2. Wine tasting in Mendoza has been on my list for quite some time. Hopefully I get there one day! Your post is awesome… such helpful tips and beautiful pictures and descriptive inspiration πŸ™‚

  3. I hope you can make it someday! It’s such a great spot because it’s so affordable for such luxury experiences πŸ™‚

  4. Thanks so much! I want everyone to love their wine tasting experience as much as I did πŸ™‚ You’re going to have to come back again and visit Uco Valley and Carmelo (I never get tired of his tours even though they never change)

  5. Thank you for the great article! I am heading there in October and was curious about renting a car. I have heard that the roads are not well marked and that renting a car is not the best idea. It seems like you rented a car though, did you have any issues? Thanks!

  6. Hi Nicole!
    You’re right that a lot of the roads aren’t well marked but the region is full of wineries and I didn’t have a hard time getting around. I recommend making a map on google maps with your itinerary mapped out, or download a map on an app like "maps.me" before you go, google maps led me straight to the wineries with no problem.

    Cheers!

  7. This is amazing! I am glad I found this blog in preparation for my trip. Thank you for sharing! I will make sure to share this. My dearest friend and I are heading to Argentina in celebration of a milestone birthday. We will be in Mendoza on her birthday. Any recommendations on planning this special day for her? vine tasting and spatacular lunch? Any highly recommended dinner location in the city of Mendoza ?

  8. This is the most complet post I found about Mendoza. This is funny because I am argentinean myself but I’d never been to Mendoza. Thanks so much for all the information and the detailled description πŸ™‚

  9. Thank you so much for your kind words!! You will LOVE Mendoza, it is my happy place πŸ™‚

  10. Great post. Tons of good information. I’ve been to Mendoza many times but you uncovered parts I didn’t know about!

  11. Hello Augustina! Thanks, we were actually there this past weekend πŸ™‚ We enjoy it and the wineries!

  12. Thanks so much Matt! I LOVE Mendoza and still have even more places left on my list of wineries and restaurants I want to visit there, it’s my happy place haha

  13. This is so great, Thank you for posting this! I am planning to visit Mendoza July 2020 for our Honeymoon. Any other locations you recommend? Also, do you remember roughly how much each winery’s tasting fee was?

  14. Hi!
    Thanks for all the great tips! I am going there in a few weeks and am just now trying to map out a day of wine tasting.
    Can you share the pricing of any of the Uco Valley wineries? Or in general how much should I expect to spend for a tasting?

  15. Hi Emela!! Most wineries in the Uco Valley will have tastings from around $7-10 US (with different options including the different reserves). Some are pricier. For example, I think Salentein is around $20 US or the wineries in Clos de los Siete (which are more expensive to visit). I don’t find these expensive ones to be worth the double or triple cost, all of the wineries there are excellent!!

  16. Hi Erin!
    Thanks for this guide, it is fabulous.
    I am interested in hiring a car with a driver (cause we will be consuming all the wine!!) but want to organize my own itinerary. Couldnt find where to do that though. Could you help out? I basically want to do your Ucu Valley itinerary πŸ™‚

  17. Thanks so much for this blog, it’s fantastic! As people who adore wine, trying to narrow down which places to go was a Herculean task so this is super helpful. Quick question: if we were to do the bike tours in Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo, would we need to book with them in advance with Mr Hugo/Bacchus and let them know our preferred schedule, or can we just turn up on the day?

  18. I would contact private driver’s and see if they’ll arrange the itinerary you want. If you’re more independent, I know friends who planned their own itinerary by calling the wineries themselves (this post has all the contact information) and arranging reservations, and hiring the driver to take them where they had already reserved.

    Try contacting a driver like this one and see if they’ll take you along my route πŸ™‚
    partner.viator.com/en/67263/tours/Mendoza/Mendoza-Private-Wine-Driver-Guide/d931-26017P1

  19. Wow! Thank you! This is by far the most helpful traveling website/blog I have found, especially about Mendoza. I have the Lonely Planet books and have looked else where but did not give me near the info I needed. I copied and pasted your UCO itinerary. We will be renting a car as well… (hopefully that’s not to hard? Do I need to get a travelers license?) And I will be doing everything in your list. We have 3 days, my husband and myself. Planning our trip to south America in October. Much needed vacation, we have 5 kiddos! Also another question, how much do the bottles of wine usually cost, on average?

  20. Hi Beth! I’m so, so happy to hear you found what you needed here! Renting a car is very easy but it can be harder to get an automatic. I’d check on that as early as you can if that matters to you. And your US license is fine, you don’t need an international license.
    You’ll LOVE the Uco Valley itinerary, I could easily repeat it again and still enjoy it. And as a rest from five kids you will definitely enjoy yourself haha.
    Wine can be very affordable, I’d say young wines start at 500 pesos (at the moment that’s less than U$3! Reserves will probably run $1,000-$3,000 depending on the vineyard, you’re looking at $5-$15 US. Save space in your luggage.

  21. Hi Erin,
    Just wanted to express a warm thank you for this detailed and insightful blog post β€” it helped us a great deal on our trip to Mendoza and we visited several of the places you recommended. Also Chacras de Choria was a great tip! Bianca

  22. Hi Erin, I’m bianca from Brazil and I’ll be travelling to Argentina next month. I really would like to THANK YOU with all my heart! all of your posts are helping me to plan my motorcycle trip. Congratulations for your beautiful pictures and for all the information you’ve collected. Best wishes for u and your family

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