Argentina
Mendoza
men-DOH-sah
Malbec under snow peaks. Luján de Cuyo for the classic; Uco Valley if you want altitude and a longer drive.
Map
- When to go
- March–May (harvest) and September–November. January is hot. Altitude is real — drink water.
- Grapes
- Malbec · Cabernet Sauvignon · Torrontés · Bonarda
Tasting rooms
Most serious bodegas want a booking. Many include a proper lunch. Distances in Uco are not Napa-short. Hire a remis or a driver; asados and altitude do not mix with a stick shift.
Catena Zapata
Agrelo
FeaturedBookkah-TEH-nah sah-PAH-tah
The pyramid people photograph. The high-altitude Malbec is why sommeliers care.
Book the tour. The building is not the wine.
Malbec · Cabernet Sauvignon · Adrianna Vineyard Malbec
Zuccardi Valle de Uco
Paraje Altamira
Booktsoo-KAR-dee
Concrete, stone, and Uco fruit. One of the best lunches in the valley.
Appointment. Eat here if you only eat once.
Malbec · Finca Piedra Infinita
Achaval-Ferrer
Perdriel
Bookah-chah-VAHL feh-REHR
Old vines, small rooms, Malbec that isn't jam.
Smaller tasting. Book.
Malbec · Finca Altamira
Bodega Norton
Perdriel
BookNOR-ton
Easier logistics from the city. A solid first-day bodega.
Often more flexible on timing than the Uco names.
Malbec · Sparkling · Norton Reserva Malbec
Salentein
Tunuyán
Booksah-len-TINE
Uco estate with art and a long view. Pinot at altitude, not a Burgundy copy.
Combine with a valley drive. Don't rush back.
Malbec · Pinot Noir · Chardonnay · Numina Malbec
Susana Balbo
Agrelo
BookSusana Balbo
Agrelo estate with a restaurant. A clear first day if Uco is tomorrow.
Book. Eat if you are not driving back hungry.
Malbec · Torrontés · Susana Balbo
Itinerary
Luján, then Uco
2 days
Day one close to town. Day two up the valley for lunch and a slower tasting.
Day 1, morning
Norton or Achaval-Ferrer
Get the mouth used to altitude and Malbec.
Day 1, afternoon
Catena Zapata
The estate stop. Then back to Mendoza city.
Day 2, morning
Drive the Uco Valley
Water, snacks, a driver who knows the roads.
Day 2, lunch
Zuccardi
Tasting and lunch. This is the day.
Uco is a commitment. Don't stack four bodegas. Storms come off the Andes fast in summer.
Business inquiries
Have a room in Mendoza?
Featured placement, your booking link, ninety days. Drinkers stay free.
Business inquiries