The Best Wineries to Visit in Mendoza, Argentina
Over the years I had fallen in love with the landscape of Mendoza in my textbooks. It was a dream to finally check this destination off my list! Mendoza overall exceeded my expectations in every way. The people, the food, the wines, and the landscape were all incredible. We packed a lot into a few days, but I already know I’ll need to return some day! In this blog post I’ll be sharing everywhere we tasted wine and information on the best wineries in Mendoza. Check out my other blog post for a Complete Travel Guide to Mendoza, including where to stay, where to eat, and things to do.
The Wine Region of Mendoza
Mendoza is a huge region with many sub zones. When you visit, you’ll want to plan out where you are staying and then plan your wine tasting itinerary accordingly. Below I’ve grouped the wineries by sub-region, and we were able to visit multiple in the same day!
As you can see by this Graphic from Wine Folly, Mendoza accounts for a majority of Argentina’s vineyards and is by far the largest wine region in the country. It includes Maipú, Luján de Cuyo, Tupungato and Valle de Uco, all popular subzones of the region.
Terroir of Mendoza
The terroir of Mendoza is greatly influenced by the Andes Mountains. This large mountain range to the west blocks much of the rain brought inland over Chile from the Pacific Ocean. Because of this, the climate is very warm and dry. The soils vary but are generally alluvial with a clay/rock base. Irrigation is allowed in Mendoza, but it must be tightly regulated as water is limited. The main source of water for the entire region is runoff from the snowcapped Andes! A large hazard of the region is hail. To mitigate this risk, some vineyards will have large netting to help protect the grapes.
Luján de Cuyo
The Luján de Cuyo sub-region is just right outside the city of Mendoza. Some of the best wineries in Mendoza are located in the Luján de Cuyo and within minutes of each other!
Kaiken Wines
Kaiken Wines was the first winery we visited in Mendoza. It was here that I was first introduced to the region and really got to learn about the terroir. In the district of Vistalba, the type of soil here is alluvial, deposited by water erosion from the Andes Mountains. At Kaiken, they have 28.5 hectares of vineyards planted to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. They have low yields per hectare to ensure greater fruit concentration. Some of their Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in 1974 in a pergola position and it feels like you are in a forest of vines! Kaiken is also practicing sustainability in their vineyards. They have been two years without pesticides, and have one more year until they will earn their organic certification.
Their outstanding Malbec, Mai (meaning the first), is 100% Malbec made from old vines planted in 1910. They have many other wines in their label, one of which was their sparkling that took me by surprise! The Sparkling Brut is made in the traditional method from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These grapes are sourced from the Uco Valley vineyards that are higher in altitude. If you love a story and want to see an impressive wine facility, this is one of the best wineries in Mendoza to visit.
Durigutti Family Winemakers
Durigutti Family Winemakers is a true embodiment of Argentinean wine culture. Brothers Hector and Pablo Durigutti made their first wine in 2002. Over the last two decades, they have grown into an exceptional winery. The tasting room just opened in 2021, and they’ve already awarded #13 for the ‘Best Wineries & Vineyards in the World’ in 2023.
The vineyards and winery are located in Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo. Durigutti is certified organic. They focus on the natural factors of the soil, pristine water from the snowmelt and pure air from the Andes. The vines are at altitudes between 900 and 1200 m that allow the grapes to thrive. Their winery is no different, practicing a balance between traditional and innovation. They focus on using hand selection, native yeasts, and concrete vessels to allow the true nature of the wine to shine through.
On property, their new restaurant 5 Suelos – Cocina de Finca, serves an incredible farm to table lunch paired with some of their best wines. This restaurant just opened in 2022 and is already featured in the Michelin guide for 2024. At Durigutti, their priority is not only showcasing the terroir of Argentina through their wines and food, but also focusing on the people and everyone that makes production happen. It felt like a little oasis on property and I already can’t wait to go back someday. Durigutti is definitely one of the best wineries in Mendoza.
Susana Balbo
Conveniently located just a few minutes from our Hotel – Cavas Wine Lodge, Susana Balbo Wines, was a lovely visit! Susana Balbo is the most recognized (and was the very first) female winemaker of Argentina. She founded her winery in 1999. Susana devoted much of her time to researching the Torrontés grape and since then has made many exceptional wines of the grape variety. Here, you’ll find a beautiful tasting room overlooking the Andes Mountains, a friendly and knowledgable staff and an exceptional lineup of wines!
Catena Zapata
I was unable to visit, but Catena Zapata is on my list for next time and arguably one of the best wineries in Mendoza! Catena Zapata is a pioneer in the Argentine wine industry, known for its innovative winemaking techniques and high-altitude vineyards. The winery offers guided tours that take visitors through their impressive cellars and vineyards. Catena Zapata just received the #1 spot for World’s Best Vineyards in 2023.
Bodega Norton
Bodega Norton is also one I was unable to visit, but is an iconic winery in Mendoza. The estate boasts beautifully landscaped grounds and a modern winery facility. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the winemaking process and enjoy tastings of their diverse range of wines.
Valle de Uco
Valle de Uco (The Uco Valley) is about an hour drive from the city of Mendoza. It’s definitely worth a day trip, or two, to visit the many wineries in this sub-region. The valley’s high-altitude vineyards, nestled against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains, experience cool nights and warm days, contributing to a slow and steady ripening of the grapes.
Bodega Salentein
I couldn’t believe my eyes during our entire visit at Bodega Salentein. This was our first day in the Uco Valley. Here, the elevation is higher and you are closer to the Andes Mountains. At Bodega Salentein, their winery is located at 1,200 meters above sea level with surrounding vineyards at 1,050 – 1,700 m. While the growing season climate is dry and hot, the nights are cool which allows for slower ripening and preservation of acidity in the grapes.
The winery was carefully designed with fermentation tanks and storage on one floor and a subterranean cellar below which has a natural, constant temperature of 54 F and 80% humidity.
After our tour we were lead by winemaker, Jorge Cabeza, through a fabulous tasting of some of their premium wines. My favorite was the single vineyard 2019 Malbec. The grapes for this wine come from a very specific point within the vineyard ‘La Pampa’. It has rich dark fruit notes with spices and velvety texture.
As if it couldn’t get any better, we had a mouth-watering 6 course lunch featuring traditional Argentine dishes and more Salentein wines. This winery is a visit to remember! Most of their wines are available in the USA.
Domaine Bousquet
Domaine Bousquet is a family-owned winery we visited in Tupungato, Valle de Uco. Here, all of their wines are organic. They are the first Argentine winery and 4th Globally to obtain the Regenerative Organic Certification. Domaine Bousquet’s philosophy is to focus on preserving the grapes high-quality characteristics, which is why gentle handling of the fruit is the guiding principle of their winery.
We were lead through a variety of wines, all unique. They have many different lines of wines from Virgen (no sulfites added), Gaia (estate grown grapes), Reserve (low yields), Sparkling Wines, to premium Malbecs. They even have a line of Kosher wines!
On their property in the Uco Valley, they have the cutest bed and breakfast with stunning views of the Andes that you can book during your stay. A special thank you to Rodrigo Serrano for guiding us through a fantastic tour and tasting. Domaine Bousquet is definitely one of the best wineries in Mendoza for organic wines.
Zuccardi Wines
Zuccardi Winery was an exceptional visit and is one of the best wineries in Mendoza, Valle de Uco. I have never been to a winery where they pay such close attention to the soil. Each vineyard plot is mapped out with the exact soil types. This way, they can plant multiple varieties to one vineyard, focusing on the best placement for each vine.
Overall, I was extremely impressed by the modern winery design and the amount of concrete vessels. We were able to taste some wines with minimal intervention, a refreshing take on Malbec. At Zuccardi, they are really focusing on the terroir in Argentina and it shows in their fantastic wines.
Andeluna
While I did not have the chance to visit, this is another winery I would add to my list for next time! Andeluna is known for making incredible wines in the Valle de Uco, and they also have a great lunch offering onsite.
Wines of Argentina
A very special thank you to the Wines of Argentina for helping us with our wine tasting itinerary! For more in-depth information on the region and wineries, check out their website.
Travel Guide to Mendoza
For a full Travel Guide to Mendoza, check out my blog post that includes where to stay, where to eat, tips for packing, and more!
