Exploring the Mendoza Wine Regions: 3 Day Itinerary- We spent 4 days and 3 full days in the Mendoza wine region of Argentina. This was something I was looking forward to for a long time. I wanted to make an itinerary in which we could explore all the different wine regions; we got to see the Lujan de Cuyo Valley, Maipu Valley, and Uco Valley. I felt like this highlighted the best regions and wineries in Mendoza. Not only did we make a great winery schedule for our 3 days there, but we got to taste some of the best food we have ever had as well.

This itinerary is best for those with a rental car or a car for hire. This will take you to 3 different wine regions in Mendoza. Highlighting ones with great mountain views and architecture. Some wineries we only went to the tasting, some we went on the full tour, and a few we had meals at (which I highly suggest).

Overview

Transportation
Where To Stay
Uco Valley Wineries
Maipu Valley Wineries
Lujan de Cuyo Wineries
Brewery
Food

Where To Stay

We stayed at Posada Borravino in Chacras de Coria, Mendoza. This was such a cute vibrant resort. Just a few rooms in this boutique hotel but plenty amenities, parking available, a pool, and included breakfast with lunch and dinner for purchase. The dinners we had on site were all fantastic, and bottles of wine were available for a great price!

Booking.com

Day 1 (Lujan de Cuyo Wineries)

Archaval Ferrer

Since most of the wineries have a set time schedule, plan on only fitting about 3-4 wineries per day, and book ahead of time! We started at Archaval Ferrer at 9:30am, not too early to start drinking wine per Mendoza standards. The wine tasting was available in both English and Spanish. The tasting took about 1 hour, and I loved being able to complete our tasting on the outdoor porch.

Cruzat

We found it hard to find an open time slot of mid-day as many were booked, so we changed it up with touring a sparkling wine facility, Cruzat. Our tour was scheduled at 11:30am here. And it was just us two for the English tour, so we got a private tour and tasting. I am glad we changed it up with sparkling wines, we got to learn a lot about sparkling wines that gave me a new appreciation for them.

Trez Wines

We actually canceled this as we thought it would overlap with Cruzat, and we were going to need to find lunch. But we learned this day there are not many local places around to eat, so Cruzat suggested Trez Wines for lunch at 1:00pm, and called over for us to book a small lunch. They have a full 5 course lunch available but the ‘snack’ lunch was plenty for us as we planned for a large dinner.

I am so glad we stopped here, my favorite stop of the day. I loved eating empanadas, cheese, and drinking wine under their weeping willow. Such a peaceful setting, and such kind employees.

Bodega Vistalba

Our last stop of the day was at Bodega Vistalba. We wish we booked this earlier than our 4:30pm slot. But I really enjoyed this stop as we got to see all of this winery, the vineyard, cellar, tasting rooms and roaming around the property.

1884

Next, we headed back to our hotel at Posada Borravino to clean up and get ready for dinner at 1884. 1884 was made famous by Chef’s Table on Netflix. This restaurant is located a little more downtown and is known for their clay oven and open fire grilling. We filled up on more empanadas, breads, and juicy steaks.

Other recommendations in this area:

Bodega Ruca Malen

Carmelo Patti

Catena Zapata

Day 2 (Uco Valley Wineries)

This day was dedicated to the Uco Valley wine region, about 1 hour from where we were staying in Lujan de Cuyo.

Bodega Andeluna

First, there was Bodega Andeluna at 10:00am. I really loved our tour guide here, and the grounds were stunning. I could stay here for quite a while sipping on wine overlooking their vineyards and the Andes Mountains.

Bodega La Azul

There are thousands of wineries in Mendoza, but if I had to say one is a must it would be La Azul. La Azul was the highlight of Mendoza for us. Not only did we fall in love with their wine, enough to bring a case home, but their setting and food was incredible. I would go back here a second day if we could. We got a small tour, barrel tasting and their 5 Course lunch. The wine flows freely here and I was not complaining. Book a lunch at 12:30, it’s right down the road from Bodega Andeluna.

Salentein

Our last stop was for a Uco Valley tasting at Salentein. We snagged the last tasting at 4:00pm at their wine bar. Although a beautiful setting and well known I loved the atmosphere at others more.

Other recommendations:

Siete Fugeos Restaurant

Domaine Bousquet

Day 3 (Maipu Valley Wineries and Brewery)

On the last day we kept it low key as we needed to pack to head back home. We originally had lunch and wine tasting reservations at Casarena Bodega y Viñedos. But received an email that our reservations were cancelled due to a kitchen fire that morning. They were so kind to set us up with lunch and tasting at Trapiche.

Trapiche

Trapiche is the largest exporting winery in Mendoza. You can find their wines often in US stores. We had lunch here, and again as any food in Chile has been, it was great! I loved there Carpaccio and the Dulce de Leche dessert. After lots of steaks in Mendoza their Rellena Lemon pasta was refreshing. We didn’t do a tour here as we were ready to move on.

Holmes Brewery

If wanting a change from wineries Holmes Brewery is worth the visit. We actually went here before Day 1 but this could be added here to make a full 3rd day. Asking if they had lunch available, they said they had a meat and cheese board available. We were expecting something small, but then we had the most incredible board of meats, cheeses, bread, chutneys, and pickled items (which now has started our love for pickling in our own kitchen).

They were so friendly, great beers, and had a fun atmosphere. Check it out!

Other recommendations:

Clos de Chacras

Bodega Catena Zapata

Bodega Kaiken

Our Favorite Winery

By far our favorite winery was La Azul. I loved the bright causal decor and chill vibe here. The views of the vineyards and mountains were the only negative here, the main dining and tasting area is near the road. But man everything here blew us away. The staff was so kind. We had a small tour where we got to taste wine right from the barrel. And the food, the food was incredible! When they say tasting with your meal they actually mean bottomless, they left the bottle right on our table.

We even bought wines to take home from here, they were affordable. We did not purchase wines from any other winery we visited, if that shows you how much we loved this place!

Transportation In Mendoza

There are a few different ways to get around Mendoza. You can tour the wineries by car, tour, bike and more. All depending on where you stay and where you want to go. Here are some options, also listed which is best for each area.

Rental Car

You can easily drive, and rental cars are affordable in Mendoza. But you can easily taste a lot of wine in one day in Mendoza. Luckily my husband drove, he sampled some wines but I did most of the tasting. If you plan ahead for someone to scale back on the tastings then you can plan to drive yourselves.

Bike

The Maipu Valley Wineries are close together and easy to complete a bike tour. Uco Valley wineries are close together too but farther from a town. Here is a great self guided plan in the Maipu Valley, Mr. Hugo Bike Rentals has lots of good reviews.

Private Driver

If I did a trip to Mendoza again I would have splurged and hired a driver for at least one day in Mendoza. Especially for the Uco Valley which was a farther drive and many of their wineries are clustered close together. Check with your hotel to help you book a driver.

Tour

You can book the wineries through a tour guide as well. We are do it yourself type of travelers we we booking everything on our own, and you can book them yourselves as well. But it can get confusing, so leave the booking and driving up to a small tour group to save you time and hassle.