Mendoza WineCountry
5
Day Itinerary •
Argentina
Five days in Mendoza and the Argentine wine country gives you the full extraordinary depth of the finest wine region in South America, from the boutique Malbec producers of Lujan de Cuyo and the world's finest high-altitude wineries of the Uco Valley to the extraordinary approach to Aconcagua, the remarkable San Rafael wine region to the south, and the finest bodega restaurant experiences in the world at 1884 and Zuccardi. This extended route covers Mendoza wine country completely. Lujan de Cuyo Malbec on Day 1, the extraordinary Uco Valley on Day 2, the Aconcagua Provincial Park and mountain scenery on Day 3, the remarkable San Rafael wine region and El Nihuil reservoir on Day 4, and the extraordinary Maipu cycle winery route and farewell Francis Mallmann dinner on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
March to May, harvest and vine colour, or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Governor Francisco Gabrielli Airport (MDZ)
Getting Around
Hired car essential. Mountain roads require confidence.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, optional hiking near Aconcagua
DAY 1
LUJAN DE CUYO
MORNING
CATENA ZAPATA AND THE LUJAN DE CUYO MALBEC ROUTE
The extraordinary Catena Zapata pyramid winery, the most architecturally remarkable bodega in Mendoza, and the finest single producer in the Lujan de Cuyo sub-appellation. The extraordinary Adrianna Vineyard wines are the finest Malbec produced in Argentina. The remarkable Catena family story, from Italian immigrant winemakers to the pioneers who put Argentine Malbec on the world map, is told in the extraordinary cellar tour. Entry approx 30 USD including tasting. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
ALTA VISTA AND ACHAVAL FERRER BOUTIQUE TOUR
The extraordinary Alta Vista winery's remarkable single-vineyard Terroir series and the outstanding Achaval Ferrer boutique estate with its extraordinary old-vine Malbec from three of the finest plots in Lujan de Cuyo. The extraordinary tasting comparing the two estates reveals the remarkable terroir differences within a single sub-appellation at work. Both are the finest producers of their tier in Mendoza. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
LUJAN DE CUYO OLIVE OIL ESTATES AND SUNSET
The extraordinary olive oil producers of Lujan de Cuyo, where remarkable ancient olive trees grow in the same extraordinary Andean desert irrigation conditions as the vines. The finest extra virgin olive oil in Argentina is pressed here each May. The extraordinary sunset over the vine rows with the snow-capped Cordillera glowing pink behind is the finest landscape view in Mendoza wine country.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Vistandes winery, a small family-owned bodega with old-vine Malbec planted in 1929, is the finest hidden producer in Lujan de Cuyo. Visit by appointment. The extraordinary single-vineyard Malbec from the 1929 vines is the finest expression of old-vine Argentine Malbec and available almost nowhere outside the winery.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the morning Catena Zapata visit. Book the tour in advance. | Lunch: Casa El Enemigo Outstanding winery restaurant at the El Enemigo bodega. Extraordinary Malbec pairing menu. | Dinner: Azafran, Mendoza city The finest Mendoza city restaurant. Extraordinary modern Argentine menu and Malbec wine list.
DAY 2
UCO VALLEY
MORNING
ZUCCARDI VALLE DE UCO, WORLD'S FINEST VINEYARD
The most extraordinary winery experience in Argentina, the remarkable Zuccardi Valle de Uco estate in Paraje Altamira, voted the world's best vineyard by the World's 50 Best Vineyards awards. The extraordinary earth-and-stone building rises from the Uco Valley floor as if grown from the landscape. The remarkable tasting room faces the full panorama of the Andes across the extraordinary vineyard rows. The Zuccardi Jose Malbec is the finest red wine produced in South America. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SALENTEIN WINERY AND REMARKABLE CHAPEL
The extraordinary Bodega Salentein with its remarkable cross-shaped underground cellar and the remarkable Chapel of the Senses. The extraordinary Salentein Numina and Single Vineyard series are among the finest wines in the Uco Valley. The outstanding winery restaurant serves the finest asado matched with extraordinary Uco Valley wines in a remarkable bodega setting with Andean views. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
O FOURNIER AND CLOS DE LOS SIETE
The extraordinary O Fournier winery with its remarkable tilted gravity-flow winery tower and the outstanding Clos de los Siete cooperative estate of seven French wine families. The two remarkable estates represent the finest expression of international investment in the Uco Valley. The extraordinary comparative tasting across the Clos de los Siete seven estates is the finest wine experience in the Valle de Uco.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Monteviejo winery in the Uco Valley, founded by Chateau Petrus owner Christian Moueix, produces remarkable Malbec and Cabernet Franc from extraordinary high-altitude plots. The winery is less visited than its famous neighbours and offers the finest intimate tasting experience in the Uco Valley. The extraordinary view from the cellar door across the vines to the Andes is remarkable.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Early breakfast before the 1-hour drive to the Uco Valley. | Lunch: Zuccardi restaurant The finest winery restaurant in Argentina. Extraordinary local vegetables and Malbec pairing. | Dinner: 1884 Restaurante Francis Mallmann The most celebrated restaurant in Mendoza. Extraordinary Argentine parrilla. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 3
ACONCAGUA
MORNING
ACONCAGUA PROVINCIAL PARK AND HORCONES VALLEY
The extraordinary Aconcagua Provincial Park 180km west of Mendoza city, where the 6,962-metre peak dominates the Andean skyline at the highest mountain outside Asia. The remarkable Horcones Valley trail leads through extraordinary Andean desert landscape to the base camp ranger station at 2,900 metres. The extraordinary view of the south face of Aconcagua from the Los Penitentes viewpoint on the approach road is the finest accessible mountain panorama in Argentina. Entry approx 800 ARS. 30 min drive east
MIDDAY
LOS PENITENTES SKI RESORT AND ALTA MONTANA DRIVE
The extraordinary Alta Montana high mountain road from Mendoza to the Chilean border, passing the remarkable Potrerillos reservoir, the extraordinary Uspallata Valley where parts of Seven Years in Tibet were filmed, and the remarkable Los Penitentes rock formation whose extraordinary spire-like peaks give the area its name. The extraordinary altitude, the remarkable dry Andean desert and the snow-capped mountains above create the finest mountain drive in western Argentina. 2 hours drive back
AFTERNOON
BODEGA WITH MOUNTAIN VIEWS AND EVENING MENDOZA
BODEGA WITH MOUNTAIN VIEWS AND EVENING MENDOZA Evening Return from the extraordinary Andean approach through the remarkable Uspallata Valley to the wine country, stopping at the extraordinary Clos de Chacras boutique bodega in Lujan de Cuyo for the finest mountain-view wine tasting of the trip. The Andes glowing at sunset behind the vineyards from this extraordinary elevation is the finest closing view of Mendoza wine country.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Puente del Inca natural bridge in the Aconcagua Provincial Park, a remarkable natural rock arch coloured in extraordinary shades of yellow and orange by the sulfurous thermal springs beneath it, sits directly on the old Trans-Andean railway line. The extraordinary combination of thermal chemistry, natural architecture and the surrounding snow peaks is the finest single sight on the Alta Montana road.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, early departure Good breakfast before the mountain drive. Bring layers for the extraordinary altitude. | Lunch: Simple lunch at Uspallata Local lunch in the extraordinary Uspallata village on the Alta Montana highway. | Dinner: Bistro M, Park Hyatt Mendoza Outstanding hotel restaurant in central Mendoza. Extraordinary local ingredients and Andean views.
DAY 4
SAN RAFAEL
MORNING
DRIVE TO SAN RAFAEL WINE REGION
The extraordinary drive south from Mendoza city to the remarkable San Rafael wine region 230km away, the second most important wine producing area in Mendoza province, passing through extraordinary Andean desert landscape and remarkable riverside oases fed by the Rio Atuel. The San Rafael region produces the finest Criolla and Chenin Blanc in Argentina alongside remarkable Malbec at different altitudes from the main Mendoza zones. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SAN RAFAEL BODEGAS AND EL NIHUIL CANYON
The extraordinary El Nihuil reservoir and canyon 60km west of San Rafael, where the remarkable Rio Atuel cuts through extraordinary cliffs of coloured volcanic rock to create the finest canyon scenery in Mendoza province. The surrounding area has remarkable rock formations including the extraordinary Payun volcano field visible on clear days. The San Rafael bodegas produce the finest value wines in Mendoza at remarkable prices. 2.5 hours drive back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO MENDOZA AND EVENING
The extraordinary return drive north through the remarkable wine country of central Mendoza to the city, arriving in time for a final extraordinary evening at the remarkable Mendoza city wine bars and the finest craft beer scene in the Argentine interior. The extraordinary night market on the Peatonal Sarmiento pedestrian street is the finest evening street life in Mendoza city.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Reserva Natural Laguna Llancanelo 100km south of San Rafael, a remarkable flamingo lagoon in a high-altitude salt flat, hosts the largest colony of Chilean flamingos in Argentina, with up to 40,000 birds at peak season. The extraordinary salt flat landscape with the flamingos and the Payun Matru volcano behind is unlike any sight in Mendoza province.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before departure Early breakfast before the 3-hour drive to San Rafael. | Lunch: Jean Rivier, San Rafael Outstanding San Rafael bodega restaurant. Extraordinary Chenin Blanc and regional Malbec pairing. | Dinner: El Portal de Santo Domingo Outstanding traditional Mendoza city restaurant. Extraordinary regional Argentine cuisine.
DAY 5
MAIPU FAREWELL
MORNING
MAIPU CYCLE WINERY ROUTE
The extraordinary Maipu cycle winery route, the finest bicycle wine experience in Argentina, where remarkably flat roads connect boutique wineries, olive oil estates and artisan chocolate producers through the Maipu sub-region closest to Mendoza city. Hire bikes from Mr Hugo in Maipu for approx 15 USD. The extraordinary cycle route passes the remarkable Tempus Alba, Familia Cecchin organic winery and the extraordinary Pulmary museum winery in one morning. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
TRAPICHE HISTORIC ESTATE AND MUSEUM CELLAR
The extraordinary Bodega Trapiche, the largest and most historic wine producer in Mendoza founded in 1883, with an extraordinary neo-Gothic winery building modelled on a medieval castle and the finest museum cellar in Argentina showing the remarkable history of the Mendoza wine industry from the first Italian immigrant growers to the modern fine wine revolution. Entry approx 20 USD including tasting. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
FAREWELL AND DEPARTURE FROM MENDOZA
FAREWELL AND DEPARTURE FROM MENDOZA Evening A final extraordinary afternoon in Mendoza city for any remaining shopping at the remarkable wine shops along Aristocracia street, the finest selection of Argentine wine for sale anywhere, and a last extraordinary look at the Cerro de la Gloria monument in Parque San Martin with the Andes behind. The final Francis Mallmann dinner at 1884 is the finest farewell to Argentine wine country.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Familia Zuccardi's Piedra Infinita vineyard in the Gualtallary district of the Uco Valley at 1,450 metres is the highest quality plot in Argentina and the source of the finest single-vineyard Malbec on earth. The extraordinary stones that give the vineyard its name , piedra infinita, infinite stone , are remarkable limestone and volcanic rocks that force the vine roots deep into the extraordinary subsoil.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before cycling Good breakfast before the Maipu bike hire. | Lunch: Maipu winery picnic Extraordinary charcuterie and cheese picnic with fine Malbec at one of the remarkable Maipu wine estates. | Dinner: 1884 Restaurante Francis Mallmann The most extraordinary Argentine restaurant. Book weeks ahead for the finest farewell dinner.
Where To Stay
Mendoza City or Wine Country Park Hyatt Mendoza or Cavas Wine Lodge. Approx 100 to 500 USD per night. Uco Valley Option Entre Cielos or Posada Salentein. Vineyard immersion. Approx 200 to 500 USD per night. Budget Hotel Independencia or Hostel Mendoza Backpackers. Approx 20 to 70 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Zuccardi Valle de Uco and 1884 Francis Mallmann weeks ahead. Both fill completely.
2. Hire a car. The finest wineries are unreachable without one. Never drink and drive in Argentina.
3. Harvest season (March to April) is extraordinary. Many bodegas offer harvest participation.
4. The Uco Valley is 1 hour from Mendoza. Allow a full day. It is the finest wine area in Argentina.
5. Aconcagua day trip requires an early start. The mountain is clearest in the morning.
6. San Rafael day trip is long but the El Nihuil canyon and flamingo lagoon make it extraordinary.
Total Budget
60 to 680 USD/day