← Back to ‘Gastro Tourism: The Best Countries to Eat & Drink Around the World’
If you’re looking for the perfect wine vacation destination, look no further than Argentina’s Mendoza province. The Mendoza wine region is home to over one thousand wineries and it’s one of the most scenic wine destinations in the world. From the jaw-dropping Andean mountain range, through to the bare-back horse riding through the plains, you won’t be disappointed. The region is known for its distinct microclimates and production of world-class wines — pair these with a fine Argentinian steak and you’ll be having the meal of a lifetime. Here’s the low-down on Mendoza Argentina:
Wine Specialities
The Mendoza Province is known for its Malbec, which is a deep red wine, made from purple grapes. The grapes are known for their dark, inky color so don’t wear anything white when sampling some of the region’s finest!
A type of wine called Vino Patero, which is when the grapes have been pressed by feet, is also really popular in the area. Using feet gives the wine a distinct flavor as it allows the juices to flow in a slower manner than using a traditional wine press. Feet pressing is an ancient winemaking method, so don’t be put off trying it because of modern hygiene standards.
Top Wineries
The department of Maipú, to the east of Mendoza, is home to some of the region’s top wineries. Its particular microclimate produces delicious Malbecs that are exported around the world.
Some of the top wineries to visit include Familia Zuccardi and the Bodegas López vineyard, which has been passed down through four generations.
Meanwhile, the Uco Valley also produces delicious wines. Check out Andeluna Cellars, which sits at the foot of the Andes and Bodegas Salentein.
Where to stay
We have every type of accommodation you could want in Mendoza. Some people prefer to use the city of Mendoza as a base, but we recommend keeping things more rugged and staying in the wine valley. Top accommodation options in Mendoza include:
Hotel: El Encuentro Posada Boutique Hotel, is a charming hotel that features rustic decor.
Home rental: If you’ve got the cash to spend, or you can club together with some friends, you should check out this classic Argentine villa. It’s a traditional finca-style villa, that features five bedrooms and countryside views.
Hostel: If you’re looking for a budget option, you can’t go wrong with the Hostel de los Artistas. It’s a simple, clean hostel that draws a cool, traveler crowd.
Winery: If you want to live and breathe wine, why not check out the Posada Cavieres Wine Farm? You can observe how a winery runs from the morning until the evening, giving you a real insight into the winemaking process.
Where to eat
Many of the wineries have fantastic restaurants on the property. So if you’re already on-site doing a spot of wine tasting, you should give the vineyard’s restaurant a try.
Meanwhile, if you’re in the city of Mendoza, some of our top picks include Restaurant Terruño, which is known for its delicious fresh produce and the Francis Mallmann restaurant which has been going for over one-hundred years.
Things to do
Once you’ve sampled your bodyweight in Malbec, why not explore some of the amazing things the region has to offer. Top activities include trekking, or riding a horse, through the stunning Cerro Aconcagua mountains, fishing in untouched lakes or camping in the Andes mountain range. There are also various companies that offer paragliding from the base of the Andes over the wineries, so you can get a bird’s eye view of the grapes below.