Mendoza is renowned worldwide for its exceptional wines, particularly its Malbecs, which have placed Argentina on the global wine map.
The region’s unique climate, with hot sunny days and cool nights, creates the perfect conditions for growing grapes. Because of it, 800+ vineyards have established themselves in the region, and choosing where to go can be quite a tricky little task!
But worry not, after reading this guide, you’ll know exactly what to look for, where to go, and how to visit!
Also read: What To Do in Mendoza – A Guide to Argentina’s Wine Capital
Mendoza Wine Regions
This premier wine-producing region of Argentina is divided into several key sub-regions, each known for its unique terroir and wine characteristics.
Luján de Cuyo
Situated South of Mendoza city and around 800-1,100 meters above sea level, this region is known for wines with rich, concentrated flavors and smooth tannins. Here, Malbec is the most famous varietal, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Torrontés.
🍇 The best wineries in Luján de Cuyo are: Bodega Ruca Malen, Catena Zapata, Chandon, Susana Balbo Wines, Pulenta Estate, and Bodega Tierras Altas.
Tip: Bodega is the Spanish word for winery, and the two words are used interchangeably.
Maipú
Maipú is one of the oldest wine-producing areas in Mendoza, with a mix of traditional and modern wineries. Located East of Mendoza city and around 600-800 meters above sea level, the wines here often have a ripe, fruit-forward character due to the warmer climate. Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese are the most common varietals here.
🍇 The best wineries in Maipú are: Casa Vigil (El Enemigo), Bodega Trapiche, Bodega CarinaE, and Bodega Tempus Alba.
Uco Valley (Valle de Uco)
Known for its high-altitude vineyards at 900-1,500 meters above sea level, Uco Valley produces wines with bright acidity, complex aromatics, and refined tannins. It’s located a bit further away from Mendoza city, and Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay are the most common varietals produced here.
🍇 The best wineries in Uco Valley are: Alfa Crux, Familia Zuccardi, Bodega Salentein, Zorzal, Masi Tupungato, and Bodega La Azul.
Where to Go – By Wine Type
Now let’s make this a practical guide! If you prefer certain types of wine over others, then this table will save you a LOT of time:
Also read: Discover San Rafael, Mendoza: The Ultimate Top 10 Things to Do
How to Visit Wineries in Mendoza
Once you have decided on the region or the wineries you want to visit, you now need to get there. Here are the best transport options to visit wineries in Mendoza:
🚌 Take the Bus Vitivinícola Tour: choose between 15 pre-made itineraries which include up to 5 wineries in a full-day guided tour, hop on a bus, and don’t worry about a single thing other than tasting fine wines.
Note: the bus ticket varies depending on the itinerary, but you can expect it to be something around 25-35 euros per person. The fare does not include the wineries’ rates for guided visits and wine tasting. Find all of the information about this tour here.
🚗 By joining a Guided Tour: wine-tasting tours in Mendoza can vary widely. They range from half-day tours focusing on a single vineyard to multi-day excursions that visit several wineries across different regions.
These might include walking through the vineyards, participating in the harvest, or even blending your own wine under the guidance of expert winemakers. Gourmet meals prepared by top chefs are also an option in many of the wineries.
🚕 By taxi, Uber, or Private Tour: the wineries are usually located at least 30 minutes driving away from the city center, so if you’re not taking a guided tour, arranging a taxi/uber or booking a private tour might be your best option.
Also read: How to Visit Aconcagua – Ultimate Guide & Tips
Top 10 Wineries in Mendoza
1. Catena Zapata
Catena Zapata, founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, is one of the most prestigious wineries in Argentina.
Under the leadership of Nicolás Catena Zapata, the winery revolutionized Argentine wine by focusing on high-altitude vineyards in the Andean foothills, which significantly enhanced the quality and complexity of Malbec wines. This pioneering work helped establish Argentina, and specifically Mendoza, as a premier region for high-quality Malbec wines.
🎟️ It’s recommended to book a visit to Catena Zapata way in advance as the winery is usually booked out very easily. You can make reservations through their official website.
Hot tip: besides the usual guided tour, Catena also offers a Blending Wine tour where you can create your own wine by mixing a variety of grapes.
2. Bodega Ruca Malen
Ruca Malen was established in 1998 and named after a Mapuche term meaning “the house of the young girl”. The winery is renowned for its high-altitude vineyards in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley and emphasizes minimal intervention in the winemaking process, allowing the natural characteristics of the grapes to be fully expressed.
🎟️ Wine tastings here are by reservation only. We recommend you book a visit in advance via Whatsapp (+54 9 2614541236).
3. Alfa Crux
Established in the early 2000s by Spanish entrepreneur José Manuel Ortega, Alfa Crux winery combines modern design with traditional winemaking practices and specializes in Malbec, Tempranillo, and other Bordeaux varietals. Besides its high-quality wines, the winery is also known for its striking architecture.
🎟️ Wine tours here are by reservation only. We recommend you book a visit in advance via Whatsapp (+54 9 2614671021).
Tip: the winery also features a contemporary art gallery, showcasing works by local and international artists, make sure to visit it!
4. Casa Vigil (El Enemigo)
Casa Vigil was founded by the acclaimed winemaker Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena, from the renowned Catena wine family. The winery is celebrated for its innovative winemaking techniques which have earned the winery international acclaim.
🎟️ It is essential to book your visit in advance due to the winery’s popularity and you can do so via their official website.
The tour here is based on a poem from the Divine Comedy of Chachingo and you’ll be guided through hell, purgatory, and taken to paradise – all while drinking great wine!
Besides their themed wine-tasting tour, we also recommend dining at their Michelin-starred restaurant (one of the nicest experiences we had in all the wineries!).
Also read: How to Visit Canon del Atuel: a DIY Guide
5. Pulenta Estate
Pulenta Estate, established in 2002 by brothers Eduardo and Hugo Pulenta, is praised for its precision and attention to detail in every aspect of the winemaking process. The Pulenta brothers emphasize quality over quantity and are committed to sustainable practices, ensuring that their operations are environmentally friendly and socially responsible.
🎟️ Wine tastings here are by reservation only. We recommend you book a visit in advance via Whatsapp (+54 9 2615076426).
6. Chandon
Do we even need to introduce this one?! Chandon Argentina was the first French-owned winery to venture into the Southern Hemisphere. As you might already know, Chandon specializes in traditional method sparkling wines, utilizing varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Semillon to create their renowned cuvées.
🎟️ Wine tours here are by reservation only, and their e-mail contact takes a while to reply so we recommend contacting them in advance. You can find their contact details on their official website.
7. Susana Balbo Wines
Founded by Argentina’s first female enologist, Susana Balbo Wines embodies innovation and excellence. The winery sources grapes from three key regions: Luján de Cuyo, the Uco Valley, and Agrelo, each contributing unique characteristics to their wines.
Susana Balbo Wines produces a diverse range of wines but is particularly known for its renowned Torrontés. This is, in our opinion, the best wine-tasting experience in Mendoza.
🎟️ We recommend booking the White and Rose Wine Revolution tour, and you can book tours directly via their official website.
8. Familia Zuccardi
Familia Zuccardi was founded in 1963 by Alberto Zuccardi and has grown into one of the country’s leading wine producers under the guidance of his grandson, Sebastián Zuccardi. The winery is renowned for its innovative approach and commitment to expressing the unique terroir of Mendoza, particularly the Uco Valley, and has been named one of the “World’s Best Vineyards” for several consecutive years.
🎟️ You can book a visit directly on their official website.
9. Bodega Tierras Altas
Bodega Tierras Altas is known for its dedication to producing high-quality wines and offering personalized wine tourism experiences and is particularly renowned for its Malbec. Their Malbec Experience wine tour takes you through the tasting of different Malbec styles, pouring directly from the stainless steel tanks and the oak barrels.
🎟️ You can book a visit directly on their official website.
Note: We loved their Malbec experience! We also got to try an 18-year-old wine that the group picked from their cellar.
10. Bodega Tempus Alba
Bodega Tempus Alba was founded by the Biondolillo family and places a strong emphasis on sustainable vineyard practices and minimal intervention in the winemaking process. The winery specializes in Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo, and is known for its experimental approach to viticulture.
🎟️ You can visit the winery on a free self-guided tour that does not require booking. But if you want a guided tour, eat at their restaurant, or participate in their yearly harvest, you can book your visit directly on their official website.
