Mendoza is Argentina’s premier wine region, located at the foot of the Andes. Wineries pair excellent Malbec wines with spectacular views of snowcapped mountains. This relaxed three-day itinerary in Mendoza includes visits to four wineries, a stunning vineyard stay and an escape to the Andes mountains.

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Getting There

The province of Mendoza is located in western Argentina next to Chili, with the Andes mountains acting as a natural border. Several carriers operate the two-hour flight from capital Buenos Aires, with multiple departures per day. We visited Mendoza at the end of a two-week road trip in Argentina.

Mendoza is one of four provinces in Argentina’s largest wine region, the Cuyo. The semi-arid landscapes of Mendoza, San Juan, San Luis and La Rioja yield around 80% of Argentina’s wine production. Mendoza is by far the most visited, thanks to the excellent Malbec wines and beautiful mountain scenery. The province can be divided into three wine-producing subregions: Maipú, Lujan de Cujo and Valle de Uco.

Stay

We stayed in Posada La Celia, a beautiful country house located on the grounds of Finca La Celia. Guests can freely explore the vineyards, set against the backdrop of the Andes. You can opt for a stay with gourmet meals included, accompanied by La Celia wines. Getting spoiled with delicious food and wines in this rural setting was the perfect way to wind down after two packed travel weeks.

Three-Day Itinerary in Mendoza

Day 1: Wine Tasting in Maipú

Morning: Viña El Cerno

Maipú is located within the city of Mendoza, allowing to visit several wineries with little driving in between. Many of the wineries in Maipú are family-owned. Viña El Cerno is one of these charming small-scale wineries with a story behind every bottle. The welcoming sign sets the tone for a lovely visit.

Viña El Cerno specializes in organic wines by not adding any chemicals to the vines. The family is very passionate about sharing their story on a tour of the cellars, followed by a tasting of the different lines. The premium line Filósofos really stood out to us.

Afternoon: Bodega Mevi

Bodega Mevi is located right down the street from Viña El Cerno. It is a modern winery with an on-site restaurant and stunning views of the mountains. We did a tour and tasting, followed by lunch on the elevated terrace overlooking the vineyards. The views and food impressed us more than the wines themselves, but the beautiful setting is well worth a visit.

Day 2: Wine Tasting in Valle de Uco

Morning: Bodega Salentein

Valle de Uco is located at 3,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level, creating an optimal climate for viticulture. In addition to producing some of the best Malbec wines on the market, this region boasts spectacular views of the Andes mountains. A beautiful drive through the countryside leads to Bodega Salentein, consistently voted onto the World’s Best Vineyards list.

Bodega Salentein bundles food, wine and art in an ultra-modern package. Wine tastings are done inside the impressive cellars, housed in a separate building. The path leading up to the cellars cuts through the vineyards, offering gorgeous views along the way. As expected from a boutique winery with plenty of accolades, the tasting is conducted professionally and each wine is delicious.

Afternoon: Finca La Celia

We spent the afternoon relaxing at the grounds of Finca La Celia. The views of the Andes are unparalleled and the wines are very good. Both guests and non-guests can order different experiences to enjoy in this beautiful rural setting, from a picnic to sunset at the vineyards.

Day 3: Aconcagua Provincial Park

Morning: Drive the Uspallata Pass

After admiring the Andes from afar, we were ready to get up close. The entrance to Aconcagua Provincial Park is located on the border with Chili, at 8,800 feet above sea level. The drive on the Uspallata Pass takes five hours round-trip from the city of Mendoza, but the stunning panoramas on the road make it worth every mile. There are several stops along the way to stretch your legs, like the turquoise Lake Potrerillos and Puente del Inca, a natural arch over the Las Cuevas river.

Afternoon: Aconcagua Provincial Park

Even if you don’t intend to conquer the nearly 23,000 feet-tall Aconcagua, there are many easy trails to admire the highest mountain in the Southern and Western hemisphere. We hiked the 1.6-mile loop to Laguna de Horcones. The Aconcagua’s snow-covered peak never goes out of sight on this short trail with stunning views.

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