Mendoza · Winery guide · Curated by Peter

Best Wineries in Mendoza: the 29 Estates We Actually Take Guests To

This is not a ranking scraped from the internet. These are the wineries we visit every week, the ones where we know the people who pour the wine. Below, all 29 estates in our book, grouped by region, so you can build a day that matches what you drink.

How to think about Mendoza’s three wine regions

Mendoza is not one wine region, it is three, and they taste different. Choosing the right one matters more than choosing the most famous names.

Uco Valley — altitude and ambition

Ninety minutes to two hours south of the city, at 900 to 1,600 metres. Cold nights, poor stony soils and the Andes directly in front of you. This is where the most ambitious modern projects planted, and where Malbec keeps its freshness. Best as a full day.

Luján de Cuyo — the historic home of Malbec

Thirty to forty-five minutes from Mendoza city. Argentina’s first denomination of origin, with old vines and family estates that have been bottling Malbec for generations. Rounder, warmer wines. Ideal if you have less time or want history rather than architecture.

Maipú — the classic wine road

The closest region, with the oldest bodegas and the most traditional feel. Good for a shorter day and for travellers who want olive oil, vermouth and heritage cellars alongside the wine.

Uco Valley wineries we visit

High-altitude estates between Tupungato, Vista Flores and Los Chacayes.

Luján de Cuyo wineries we visit

Old-vine Malbec and family estates, close to the city.

Maipú wineries we visit

Which wineries should you actually pick?

Three visits in one day is the honest maximum: any more and you stop tasting and start drinking. We normally build a day as one larger estate for context and architecture, one small family producer for depth and conversation, and one lunch stop where the food is as good as the wine.

We do not sell a fixed circuit. The final three are chosen after we talk to you, based on what you drink, the season, and what is happening in the cellar that week — harvest, blending or barrel work.

Frequently asked questions

How many wineries can you visit in one day in Mendoza?

Three is the right number for a full day, or two if you include a long paired lunch. Distances in the Uco Valley are real, and each proper visit takes 90 minutes or more.

Do Mendoza wineries require a reservation?

Almost all of them, yes, and the smaller and better ones fill up first. We arrange and confirm every booking in advance as part of the tour.

Which is better, Uco Valley or Luján de Cuyo?

Uco for high-altitude wines, dramatic landscape and modern architecture. Luján for history, old vines and shorter driving. With one day, wine-focused travellers usually choose Uco.

Can you visit Mendoza wineries without a tour?

You can, but you will need a driver: tastings and driving do not mix, and public transport does not reach most estates. A private tour also gets you into small producers that do not accept walk-ins.

When is the best time to visit Mendoza wineries?

Harvest, from late February to April, is the most alive moment in the cellars. October to December gives green vineyards with snow still on the Andes. We operate all year.

Ready-made options: Full day Uco Valley wine tour, Luján de Cuyo wine tour, organic and biodynamic wineries.