MENDOZA - ARGENTINA
Argentina's wine capital, at the foot of the Andes and near Cerro Aconcagua. The region pairs winery visits and tastings with food-and-wine dining and mountain excursions; Malbec is the lead variety.
Production areas shape the lodging choice: Maipú and Luján de Cuyo, close to the city, hold traditional wineries and boutique hotels; the Valle de Uco, further out, concentrates vineyard lodges with mountain views, suited to a wine-focused stay. The city provides an urban base with services.
Distances between wineries require a vehicle or an organised circuit. Harvest runs around February and March. Two to three nights are advisable to cover more than one production area.
Useful information
Access El Plumerillo airport (MDZ), about 11 km from downtown (20 min transfer). Domestic flights from Buenos Aires and regional connections.
Season The grape harvest runs from February to March. Autumn (Mar–May) colours the vineyards; summer is warm and dry and winter cool, with the Andes as backdrop.
Currency · time zone · language Argentine peso (ARS). GMT-3. Spanish.
Operations Winery visits require advance booking, with set times and tastings. The wine areas (Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, Valle de Uco) are spread out: a transfer or a day with a driver works best. Plan transport for the high-mountain route towards Aconcagua.