What to do

Mendoza Activities

Wine tastings and the rest!...

What to do in Mendoza
What to do in Mendoza
What to do in Mendoza

Most will head to Mendoza to indulge in some of the best food and wine that Argentina has to offer and rightly so. Nevertheless, there is plenty more to do here, whether it's hiking in the Andes, mountain biking around the vineyards, white water rafting or horse riding. These are just a selection of the shared activities we can arrange, but for premium wine tours and tastings then please get in touch!

Maipú Valley

A chance to explore one of the oldest wine growing areas around Mendoza and learn how the industry has developed. Towards the east of the city, Maipú transports us to the past. You will experience the origins of wine in Argentina, stopping in the historic, restored Bodega Trapiche, the Sinfin winery and the prestigious Zuccardi bodega. These wineries paved the way for viticulture in Argentina, and still today conserve their family traditions. Through them you will learn the history of winemaking in Mendoza.

Luján de Cuyo

This high-end tour is designed for you to enjoy an excellent day of wine with a group of up to 8 people. Luján de Cuyo is the heartland of the Malbec grape, and this tour lets you experience this amazing variety as well as other tremendous wines of the region. It includes a five course gourmet lunch paired with five wines at Dominio del Plata's winery: Osadía de Crear and visits to three wineries, which may include:

Bodega Achaval-Ferrer. In recent years Achaval-Ferrer has represented Mendoza in Wine Spectator‘s list of Top 100 wines with various Malbecs. The winery, cozy and modern, is located at the edge of the Mendoza River amongst vineyards almost 100 years old. Their peculiar winemaking methods and business philosophy makes for a dynamic and interesting visit followed by tastings of premium wines.

Bodega Casarena. Located in a completely restored centenary building, Casarena winery opened its doors to teach about their wines and vineyards. During the visit to this winery, guests taste wines from all of the different stages of winemaking – fermentation, oak barrels, and finally the wines from labeled bottles. Casarena invites their guests to experience these differences in aromas and flavours of the wine during its production, demonstrating how the wines evolve during the winemaking process.

Bodega Dominio del Plata. In 1999, after 30 years advising companies in the wine sector, Susana Balbo decided to undertake her dream of having a winery herself, beginning the construction of Dominio del Plata in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo. Equipped with modern technology, Dominio del Plata is characterized by a unique and simple design, intended for producing premium wines. Dominio del Plata offers the possibility to discover the typical varietals of Argentina through thematic tastings focused on discovering the potential of each one.

Uco Valley

Another high-end small group tour, this time in the Uco Valley. This region, located around an hour and a half's drive from the capital of Mendoza against the Andes Mountain Range, is fast becoming one of the most important wine producing areas in Argentina. The mountains and the beautiful scenery here will prepare your senses for the distinctive flavours and aromas of these high altitude wines.

The tour includes a six course gourmet lunch at Andeluna paired with excellent wines and visits to three wineries, which may include:

Domaine Busquet. The Bousquet family, who hail from the southern French city of Carcassonne, have a long history of winemaking. In the constant struggle to produce wines of a superior quality, Jean Bousquet was determined to find the best place to continue the family’s decades long tradition. In 1990 he first arrived in Mendoza to investigate the vineyards and wineries. Upon discovering the unique characteristics of the region, it's soil, it’s high altitude, it’s terroir, he was convinced he had found the ideal location for his winery. The main objective of Domaine Bousquet is to combine the European Elegance in winemaking style with the perfect cool climate and terroir of the Uco Valley in Argentina.

Andeluna began in 2003 with the aim of making some of the best quality wine in Argentina. Andeluna symbolises the romanticism and inheritance of the Valley of Tupungato where the moon illuminates the magnificent Andes mountains. In this visit, you will get to know the vines and the methods of winemaking that make their wines so special. Andeluna is the ideal place to learn about this region. Surrounded by an impressive landscape at the foot of the Tupungato Volcano you will enjoy these prestigious wines and an exquisite gourmet lunch.

Salentein. The land that now belongs to Salentein is proof of the innumerable feats that had to be overcome here; a place where will and the determination transmitted from generation to
generation, from the indigenous peoples to the Jesuit missionaries, even important characters such as General San Martin. The San Pablo Finca, one of the properties of the winery, has a rich history since the 17th century. Back then, it formed a part of a farm called “De Arriba” which belonged to the Jesuit missionaries. At more than 1500 meters above sea level, in the heart of the vineyard, lie the ruins of the “Casa Grande.” During the visit in Salentein, you will taste 3 of Salentein’s great wines, ending in their art gallery, which is one of its kind in Mendoza.

Biking through the vineyards

The main goal of this excursion is to enjoy an outdoor tour, tasting some excellent wine whilst surrounded by the unique scenery of the Andes and the vineyards. You will get to know three different wineries and their vineyards. In both wineries, guided tours will be provided, and also several tastings of the wines they produce. At the end of the tour, in the last winery, a first class lunch with matching wines will be served.

The first winery of the tour is Kaiken Winery in Vistalba, Luján de Cuyo. After tasting three of their wines, the tour continues by bike, exploring the vineyards at the winery and then continuing on to the second winery, Carlos Pulenta in Luján de Cuyo . You will tour this winery as well concluding with a guided tasting of three wines and then continuing to explore the region on bike. The last winery is Nieto Senetiner, a historical Argentine winery. Once there, after a guided tour, three different wines will be served for tasting (from both the “Nieto Senetiner” and “ Don Nicanor” range). After the tasting, a three- course lunch with paired wines will be served.

Riding in the Uco Valley

This riding trip takes you to 2400 metres in the Andean foothills. The tour starts at 8.30, picking you up from your hotel in Mendoza. You head up to the “Quebrada del Condor“ (the Condor’s Gorge) through the village of Potrerillos and past the Hoyada viewpoint). You reach the gorge at 10.30, where a traditional breakfast will be served. After a brief health and safety introduction, the ride starts. At the foot of the “Cordón del Plata” in the Uco Valley, the local wildlife and flora will amaze you. Llamas, condors, foxes, hares and awesome birds will be part of this ride, too. Follow ancient paths to reach a viewpoint at 2800 meters above sea level from where the “Cordón del Plata” range can be appreciated in all its glory. Here you will have lunch, a famous Argentine asado will be prepared for you. After lunch, the group heads back to Mendoza, arriving in the early evening.

Aconcagua

Undisputed icon of the Andes Range and Argentina, the Aconcagua is a must for climbers and tourists from around the world. The experience starts at eight in the morning, with the pick up from your hotel and then you will head Southwest to Ruta 7 until you reach Potrerillos Dam. Here breakfast will be served as you enjoy the marvellous view of the Plata mountain range and the turquoise Potrerillos lake. Continue to Uspallata town where you are given permits to enter the highlight of the trip - the Aconcagua Provincial Park, for a two-hour hike to experience the majesty of the highest peak in America. After the trek, you will drive a few kilometres until you get to Puente del Inca, before heading back to Mendoza, via “Pueblo del Rio”, a beautiful mountain resort where you will enjoy a delicious late lunch surrounded by mountains.

Trek to Cerro Arenales - moderate - 5 hours

A tough but very rewarding trek into the pre-Andes, this is a good excursion for those wanting more of a challenge. After meeting the guide and having a briefing at the mountain base, you head northwest up the White River Valley, following a crystal clear stream to the Student Gorge (2900 metres) and on to the Andresito peak. The path heads over the pass and on to the Arenales peak, the highest point being at a dizzying 3500 metres above sea level. The views out over the Cordon del Plata and Potrerillos Valley are breathtaking, a wonderful spot to have lunch before returning to Mendoza.

Rafting

Mendoza is well known for its wine and food but far fewer people know that it is one of the best places for white water rafting in South America! This excursion takes you to Potrerillos, a mountain village surrounded by wonderful landscapes and an impressive dam. Each passenger will have their own neoprene suit, life vest, and helmet and be given a safety briefing. In summer (December to March) the rafting in the river reaches a -3/4 rafting. Rafting in the Mendoza River has earned its reputation for the crystal clear water, beautiful scenery, and excellent guides.

When to go to Mendoza:

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    At a glance…The Wine Region

  • Size: 416,000+ acres
  • Location: Central Western Argentina
  • Recommended time: 3 to 6 nights
  • Time to visit: September to April
  • Go here for: Food and wine
  • Further reading...

  • › Itinerary Finder
  • › Grape Varietals
  • › Viticulture
  • › The Bodegas
  • Also recommended in Mendoza and the Wine Region:

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