Uco Valley · Private tour · From USD 140

Full Day Uco Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza

A 9-hour private tour into Argentina’s highest-altitude wine region. Three carefully chosen wineries, a paired lunch among the vines, and a driver-guide who actually knows the winemakers. No shared vans, no rushed tastings, no fixed script.

Why the Uco Valley is worth the full day

The Uco Valley sits between 900 and 1,600 metres above sea level, about 90 minutes south of Mendoza city, right at the foot of the Andes. That altitude is the whole point: cold nights, intense sun and poor stony soils give Malbec its concentration and freshness at the same time. It is also where most of Argentina’s most ambitious modern wineries chose to plant.

Because the driving distances between wineries here are real, a half-day never works. A full day is what lets you walk a vineyard, see the cellar, sit down for a proper paired lunch and still make a third visit without watching the clock.

A day that is built around you, not around a route

We do not run a fixed circuit. Peter selects the three wineries after we talk to you, based on what you drink, what season it is and what is actually happening in the cellar that week — harvest, blending, barrel work. Some of the estates we work with in the Uco Valley:

What a typical day looks like

1. 08:30 — Hotel pick-up in Mendoza. Private air-conditioned vehicle, door to door.
2. 10:00 — First winery. Vineyard walk and cellar visit while the day is still cool, with a tasting of the estate’s range.
3. 12:30 — Paired lunch. A multi-course lunch at a winery restaurant with Andes views, each course matched to a wine.
4. 15:30 — Second and third visits. One larger estate for context and architecture, one small family producer for depth and conversation.
5. 18:30 — Back in Mendoza. Dropped at your hotel.

What is included

• Private vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide for the full day
• All winery reservations arranged and confirmed in advance
• Guided tours and tastings at three wineries
• Paired lunch at a winery
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Mendoza city
• Flexible itinerary, adjusted before and during the day

Frequently asked questions

How far is the Uco Valley from Mendoza city?

Between 80 and 120 kilometres depending on the winery, so roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours each way. That is exactly why this tour is a full day rather than a half day.

Is the Uco Valley better than Lujan de Cuyo?

They are different. Lujan de Cuyo is closer, older and the historic home of Argentine Malbec. The Uco Valley is higher, newer and more dramatic, with the Andes right in front of you. If you only have one day, most wine-focused travellers choose Uco.

What is the best time of year to visit?

Harvest runs from late February to April and is the most alive time in the cellars. Spring, from October to December, gives green vineyards and snow still on the Andes. We run the tour all year and choose wineries according to what is happening that week.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. The wineries we work with are small and take a limited number of visitors per day. Two to four weeks ahead is comfortable; during harvest, earlier is better.

How many people can join?

Tours are private, from two people upwards. Larger groups and families are welcome, and the vehicle is matched to the group size.

Prefer a different region? Compare our Lujan de Cuyo wine tour, the Meet the Winemakers tour, or browse all Mendoza wine tours.