LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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WINE COUNTRY ARGENTINA: WHERE TO STAY IN MENDOZA + A GUIDE TO VISITING WINERIES.

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There are not enough superlatives to describe how much we loved the Mendoza region on our recent visit. It far exceeded expectations. From the wonderful hospitality, to the design chic wineries and not to mention every drop of delicious wine that we tasted.

We explored all three wonderful wine areas of Mendoza and this post seeks to highlight the key differences of each, giving you the best information possible to decide where to stay and which wineries to visit.

Here’s our guide to the where to stay in Mendoza and how to visit the best wineries.

Don’t have time to read the full post?

Is the Mendoza wine region worth visiting?

Get ready to fall in love with Mendoza, where you can sip on the finest wines, hike through breathtaking landscapes, and soak up the local culture.

It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but with more Malbec and fewer dragons. Mendoza is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to indulge in life’s simple pleasures while surrounded by stunning natural beauty and friendly locals.

If you’re still not convinced, you can find our post on 12 reasons why there is no substitute for a wine holiday in Argentina.

Where is Mendoza

The Mendoza Province is located in the west of Argentina, bordering Chile to the west.

It is known for its wine regions, including the famous Malbec wines, and stunning landscapes featuring the Andes mountain range. The capital of the Mendoza Province, is Mendoza City.

How to get to Mendoza

Getting to Mendoza is relatively straightforward, with several transportation options available.

Getting to Mendoza by Air

Mendoza is a short flight from Buenos Aires or many other connections, such as Bariloche. You can also catch international flights from Chile and Brazil direct to Bariloche. The airport is small and located around 8km from the city centre.

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🏎️You can hire a car from the airport, to drive into the wine regions if you wish to.

One word of warning, our experience of driving from Mendoza airport was a little off putting.

Just outside the airport, there were a number of people deliberately running in front of our car on the highway. We understand that this was in an attempt to get us to stop our car in order to rob us.

Not to say that this will happen to you – but it’s important to consider safety, especially if driving in Mendoza city and around the airport.

Getting to Mendoza by Bus

Mendoza is well-connected to major cities across Argentina via an extensive network of long-distance buses. Several bus companies operate routes to and from Mendoza, offering both regular and luxury services.

The journey from Buenos Aires to Mendoza by bus takes approximately 14-16 hours, depending on the route and service level. From Bariloche, you can expect it to take around 18 hours by bus.

In Argentina, we used two booking sites for bus travel – Book Away and Bus Bud. Both provide an easy booking experience for buses in Mendoza.

Getting to Mendoza by Car

If you prefer a more scenic and flexible mode of transportation, driving to Mendoza is an option.

The province is accessible via well-maintained highways from various parts of Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Santiago, Chile. Keep in mind that driving distances can be considerable, so plan your route accordingly and consider breaking up the journey with overnight stops if needed.

We use Discover Cars to book hire cars when we travel. Check their rates and availability here.

You can find our guide to driving in Argentina here.

How many days should you spend in the Mendoza region?

When planning a trip to the Mendoza region, we recommend to spend at least four to five days to fully experience its diverse offerings.

This time frame allows for exploring the renowned wineries, indulging in wine tastings, and enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes.

You could limit this to three days if time is short. This would only be possible (or at least relaxing) if you choose one base and are content to explore the nearby wineries.

A good place to base yourself for a short period would be Chacras de Coria, a small town 20 minutes outside of Mendoza city. From here, there are many wineries that you can get to by bike, bus or on foot. You can also take a bus to Maipu for a cycle & wine experience. More on all of this below!

If you want to also allocate time for for outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, and visiting the charming city of Mendoza is essential then at least five days is ideal. Ditto, if you plan to visit the Uco Valley, as well as other wine areas, you will need at least five days.

With four to five days, you can savor the rich cultural heritage, indulge in exquisite cuisine, and immerse themselves in the unparalleled beauty of this Argentinean gem. And of course, fill your boots with Malbec!

Where are the three wine areas in Mendoza

Mendoza province in Argentina is renowned for its wine production, and it is divided into three main wine areas:

1. Maipú: This historic wine region is known for its Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals. It’s one of the oldest wine producing areas in Mendoza and is home to several traditional wineries. Maipu is perhaps the most accessible from Mendoza city and most affordable area.
2. Luján de Cuyo: Considered the birthplace of Malbec in Argentina, Luján de Cuyo is known for its high-altitude vineyards, which contribute to the production of intense and flavorful wines. This area also excels in producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. Chacras de Coria is found in the Lujan de Cuyo area.
3. Valle de Uco (the Uco Valley): Known for its picturesque landscapes, Valle de Uco is the highest and southernmost of Mendoza’s wine regions. The region’s high elevation and wide temperature range contribute to the production of top-quality Malbec, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. The Uco Valley is the most luxurious area to visit in the area, and arguably, the most dramatically beautiful.

Each of these wine areas in Mendoza offers a unique terroir and contributes to the diverse and acclaimed wine production of the region.

Do you need reservation to visit wineries in Mendoza?

Yes and no! Whether you need reservations for wineries in Mendoza or not depends on where you are and what it is that you want in the wineries.

In Uco Valley, generally reservations are required for tastings and tours, but perhaps not lunch – unless you’re choosing a very popular winery restaurant such as Clos de los Siete.

We were able to get a table without a reservation at a less popular winery restaurant, but we couldn’t get into a tasting without a reservation.

The same would go for a formal lunch in both Maipu or Lujan de Cuyo. Reservations are most likely required. But, in our experience it is possible to walk in to vineyards in these two areas and either buy a glass or bottle of wine, with some light food, or to do a tasting.

It is also possible to make reservations on the same day.

What to wear to visit wineries in Mendoza?

One of the things that we loved about Argentina is that people tend to dress fairly casually. There’s nothing pretentious or snobby about Argentina and we were pleasantly surprised to find that the Mendoza wine region is no different.

When it comes to dressing for wineries, probably the first thing to consider is footwear and comfort. If you’re taking a tour, you’ll want to be able to move around freely. The same goes for cycling around wineries.

I opted for smart casual clothing, a dress or smart shorts and a top with comfortable sandals for my visits to wineries in Mendoza.

As a general observation, I would say that the Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo wineries are more laid back than those in the Uco Valley. The same goes for clientele dress code.

Additionally, if you have lunch reservations, it is best to dress a bit more smartly as the restaurants in some of the wineries can be fairly formal.

Where to stay in Mendoza

Depending on the type of wine holiday that you’re looking for and how long you have in Mendoza, you may wish to choose one base for your entire trip, or to move around. With three distinct areas to choose from, it can be difficult to decide.

How to travel between the three wine areas of Mendoza

Lujan de Cuyo/ Chacras de Coria are both close to the city of Mendoza and can be reached by bus, or taxi in around 20 minutes. The same goes for Maipu.

You can also travel between Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo/ Chacras de Coria in around 20 minutes by car, cab or bus.

🚌 Do note, if you use the bus in this area you will need to purchase a pre-paid SUBE card. You can’t pay in cash on the bus. You can normally buy a card at the airport or bus station.

The Uco Valley is found around 90 minutes to the south of the other two regions and the city. The best way to reach the Uco Valley is by car or by private transfer.

Where to stay in Mendoza: Mendoza City

BEST FOR ANYONE PLANNING TO TAKE TOURS (see caveats to this below)

At the heart of Argentina’s wine country lies Mendoza City, a vibrant metropolis pulsating with culture, history, and flavor.

With its dynamic urban scene and warm hospitality, Mendoza City complements the province’s natural beauty and rural charm.

When we were preparing for our trip to Mendoza, I read a lot of blogs recommending that first time visitors to the region stay in Mendoza city.

Why Mendoza city may not be the best option

In all honesty, we don’t really recommend staying in Mendoza city for two reasons.

1. You won’t get the full “Mendoza” experience, if you stay in the city. There’s something really special about staying out in the countryside, amongst the vines. Being able to cycle or stroll to wineries by day and enjoy the fabulous restaurants in rural communities by night.
2. Frankly, from our research and speaking to locals, parts of Mendoza city are a little dodgy and may not be completely safe for tourists. We don’t want to put you off, but this was the number one reason that we didn’t choose to stay in the city.

Why Mendoza city may suit you as a place to stay in Mendoza

That said, there are some circumstances where staying in Mendoza city may suit you.

1. You don’t have access to a hire car and you want to rely on public transport and/or take tours. Most tours start with transport from Mendoza city. (Do note, it is sometimes possible to ask tour companies to pick you up from parts of Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu.)
2. You’re visiting the Mendoza region very briefly and want to make things as easy as possible for yourself. But, in all honesty, you could still choose to stay in Maipu and Chacras de Coria.

Where to stay in Mendoza: Lujan de Cuyo/ Chacras de Coria

BEST FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS, RELAXATION, BUDGET TRAVELLERS

Chacras de Coria was one of our favourite places we stayed in our entire Argentina trip. I booked it on a bit of a whim and was so pleased with the decision. It truly is a charming village with a lot of selling points.

We found our stay here to be a romantic and lovely.

Located in the serene outskirts of Mendoza close to Lujan de Cuyo, Chacras de Coria, offers a tranquil escape amidst verdant vineyards and leafy plazas.

Discover boutique wineries, artisanal shops, and farm-to-table dining experiences as you stroll along its tree-lined streets. This quaint village serves as a gateway to Mendoza’s wine country, providing a perfect blend of relaxation and natural beauty.

The reason that we recommend Chacras de Coria for first time visitors, is that everything is very accessible.

The village itself gives you a taste of Argentina – a lot of people live here and it feels really authentic. It’s also very safe, walkable and all round has a good feeling. Chacras de Coria is perfectly placed if you want to visit Maipu too – just hop on the bus.

For budget travellers, the wineries in Chacras de Coria, are reasonably priced – yet some of the best we found in the area. Restaurants, bars and accommodation are also some of the best value in Argentina. We ate the best steak we’ve ever eaten in this village and it cost around $20 for two of us.

*We’ve bundled Lujan de Cuyo and Chacras de Coria together as they are very close – walkable. Lujan de Cuyo is a more well known name, but Chacras de Coria is nicer (in our opinion) as it has more of a village centre feel.

Best hotels in Chacras de Coria / Lujan de Cuyo

BUDGET: Aires de Coria is where we stayed in Chacras de Coria. The location was excellent, as was value for money. What really stood out was the attention to detail in all the rooms and the lovely grounds, as well as the friendly couple running the hotel. Even if I had a bigger budget, I would still return to this hotel!

MID-RANGE: El Encuentro Posada Boutique

LUXURY: Finca Adalgisa Wine Hotel

Where to stay in Mendoza: Maipu

BEST FOR: BUDGET TRAVELLERS (but also consider Chacras de Coria.)

Maipú epitomizes rustic charm and viticultural tradition, boasting some of Argentina’s oldest wineries and rural landscapes.

Explore historic bodegas like Trapiche and Familia Zuccardi, pedal along scenic wine routes, and delight in the warm hospitality of roadside establishments.

With its authentic ambiance and rich heritage, Maipú offers a quintessential Argentine wine experience that captivates the senses and delights the soul.

We visited and stayed in Maipu. And whilst I would highly recommend visiting for a bike wine tour, personally I would probably not choose to stay there overnight again.

Compared to Chacras de Coria, it doesn’t have the same warm, village feel to it. Maipu is quite sprawling and to be honest, not that pretty. It is certainly rustic, and an interesting place, but personally I would recommend overnighting in Chacras de Coria over Maipu given the choice.

If you do stay overnight in Maipu, we’ve picked a couple of great hotels, including some gorgeous rural properties below.

Best hotels in Maipu

BUDGET: Posada del Vino is a budget offering towards the centre of Maipu. Although this is a budget hotel, it has some boutique touches including a swimming pool.

MID-RANGE: Boutique Vineyard and Wine Lodge is found in the beautiful countryside close to Maipu town. The host provides wonderful hospitality to the villas/ lodges. Guests particularly love this place, it has an incredible 9.8 out of 10 on booking.com.

LUXURY: Posada Caveries Wine Farm is a luxury rural hotel, but with a reasonable price tag. Found close to Maipu on the wine route, with it’s own incredible terrace surrounded by vines. Here, you can also rent bikes to enjoy visiting the nearby wineries.

Where to stay in Mendoza: Uco Valley

BEST FOR: LUXURY ACCOMMODATION, MULTI-CENTRE, SCENERY, WINE CONOISSUERS

The Uco Valley in Mendoza offers stunning landscapes, a cool climate, and exceptional wines. Visitors can explore boutique wineries, enjoy panoramic vineyard views, and indulge in leisurely wine tastings surrounded by natural beauty.

This region promises a memorable journey through the wine country of Mendoza.

Many say that the Uco Valley is the prettiest area of Mendoza. I think we would agree with this. It is a little pricier than other areas, but worth it for any wine connoisseurs. The accommodation is also some of the best in the area. Especially, as you have the opportunity to stay in a winery hotel.

Best hotels in Uco Valley

Here are our top picks for hotels to consider in Uco Valley based on different budgets.

BUDGET: Budget travellers can still find some reasonably priced accommodation in the Uco Valley. There are a number of Cabana hotels dotted around, in places like Tupungato. These tend to be less rural than the winery hotels, but perfect if you want to spend on wine and food, instead of accommodation. Try Unulem or Cabana Florida.

MID-RANGE: We stayed at La Morada Lodge in Uco Valley and loved our experience. From playing tennis to walking in the vines, relaxing in our hot tub and dining in the fabulous restaurant. This hotel has a luxury feel, but comparative to other hotels in the area, it has a mid-range price tag.

For other mid-range accommodation in the Uco Valley, you can find our detailed post on the best winery hotels to stay in during your visit to the Uco Valley.

LUXURY:

Honestly, there are so many luxury winery hotels in the Uco Valley that it is hard to choose just one. However, if we were forced to pick we would pick Casa de Uco Vineyards Winery Hotel. With stylish design, attention to detail and incredible views – this is the perfect place to go for a romantic getaway or a big celebration.

For more amazing luxury accommodation in the Uco Valley, you can find our detailed post on the best winery hotels to stay in during your visit to the Uco Valley.

Getting around wineries in Uco Valley

Visiting the Uco Valley is a fantastic experience, but one thing to keep in mind is that the wineries are a bit more spread out than in other areas of Mendoza. Therefore, visiting Uco Valley requires a bit more planning.

The best ways to get around the Uco Valley between wineries are:

• Driving – assuming that one person is happy to drive and not drink. But remember, Argentina has very strict drink drive rules.
• Hire a taxi/ driver – it is popular to hire a taxi or driver for the day. Hotels can arrange this for you, or it also something you can arrange privately.
• Take a tour – it is possible to take a tour to see the Uco Valley, however many tours start in Mendoza and transport is part of the tour. This may not be suitable if you plan to stay in Uco Valley, but for anyone based in Mendoza – check out this tour.
• Cycle – our top recommendation is to pick a hotel with bicycles and use these to get around to see the wineries. If you have a reasonable level of fitness, this is an easy way to explore the Uco Valley (or at least part of it, like Vista Flores.)

12 reasons why you should take a wine holiday in Argentina

1. Malbec, Malbec and more Malbec

Let’s kick things off with the undisputed king of Argentine wine—Malbec. Rich, bold, and utterly delicious, Malbec has put Argentina on the global wine map, earning accolades from critics and wine lovers alike.

Research by Wine Spectator confirms that “Argentina’s Malbecs offer an unbeatable combination of quality and value.” And, let’s be honest, there’s little that can accompany grilled red meat better than a Malbec Reserva.

2. But, it’s not just Malbec

While Malbec steals the spotlight, Argentina boasts a diverse array of wines waiting to be explored. At the first vineyard we visited in Argetina, Bodega Viamonte, we were surprised to see not just red, but white and rosé.

As our host explained to us that the rosé was not their best wine (they’ve won numerous awards for their Malbec), we were too busy falling in love with the delicate strawberry flavors, to care about any awards. There’s little better than a glass of rosé sampled in a beautiful winery, to make you feel alive.

CONTINUE READING ABOUT THE 12 REASONS YOU SHOULD TAKE A WINE HOLIDAY IN ARGENTINA HERE.

Where to next in Argentina?

You can find our guides to travelling in Argentina below:

• Buenos Aires – a three day itinerary
• Best things to do in Palermo, Buenos Aires
• Dining at Don Julio restaurant in Buenos Aires
• Where to stay in Buenos Aires
• Where to stay in Mendoza
• Our experience of staying in a wine hotel in Mendoza
• Wine cycling in Mendoza – a top experience
• Best hikes in Bariloche
• Best hikes & things to do in El Chalten
• Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier – a guide
• Driving in Argentina: A guide

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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