Trip Recap: Wine & Relaxation in Mendoza
If you’ve had Malbec from Argentina, it was likely from Mendoza. While there are other wine-producing regions in Argentina, Mendoza is the largest and most well-known. And it’s become a very popular destination for tourists to visit for wine-tasting and a bit of relaxation.
This was an obvious place for us to go on our honeymoon - I had long wanted to visit Mendoza and explore the wineries there. And because it’s a very low-key destination, it would offset the bustling Buenos Aires vibes with a more relaxing atmosphere.
We stayed at Entre Cielos, a boutique resort in Lujan de Cuyo, about 35 minutes from Mendoza city. When we arrived, we felt immediately calm. The hotel calls itself a wine and wellness resort and that is exactly what we were in the mood for. There are daily yoga classes in the morning and daily wine tastings in the evening. It is quiet, but with a friendly atmosphere. Since the weather was hot the day we arrived, we immediately set out for the pool and a light lunch with some local wine.
There are a few things you will notice right away in Mendoza.
First, the mountains. The Andes mountains are nearly inescapable from view in Mendoza. In mid-October, Springtime in Mendoza, there was still snow visible on the mountains and it made for an impressive backdrop whether we were at the pool or touring vineyards. The other thing you will notice is the desert landscape. Mendoza is dry and it’s somewhat hard to believe that so much can grow here (the region is known for its produce, not just grapes and wine production). There are canals built along the side of the roads here as a means of transporting water; much of the water comes from snow melt in the mountains. Thus, water conservation is something you will hear about a lot while in Mendoza and when touring the wineries.
Exeter Latin America set us up with a fantastic guide and two days of winery visits and lunches. And they couldn’t have chosen better for us! Our guide was very knowledgeable about wine and, as a local of the region, told us so much about the history and culture of the area. The region is known as the earth of Sun and Good Wine and you will experience both of those while you are here!
Our first day we traveled to the Uco Valley, about 1.5-2 hours drive from Mendoza city, and a little over an hour from our hotel. We first toured Bodega Salentein, a large wine producer that is also known for its beautiful architecture. The Uco Valley is higher in altitude and closest to the Andes which has an impact on the minerality of the wines and offers some stunning views. The winery itself is very impressive - the wine cave is massive and has been designed as a “cathedral of wine”. We had our tastings in the center of the “cathedral” which is absolutely beautiful. After our tour here, we traveled a short distance to Bodega Andeluna for lunch where we had a delicious four-course lunch with wine pairings. It was no surprise we fell asleep on the drive back to Entre Cielos and took it easy for the rest of the day.
Our second day of winery visits was more local and we visited two bodegas that were in Lujan de Cuyo, a short distance from our hotel. The first was Matervini, a small producer that specializes in Malbecs only. The tour here was much more private than at Salentein, and we had a Malbec-only tasting which was very unique. We also really enjoyed the juxtaposition of large vs small wineries and having the chance to see both. After Matervini, we drove for lunch at Bodega Lagarde which has two restaurants on site. For lunch, we dined at Fogon, a Michelin-starred restaurant that quickly became one of our favorite dining experiences of the trip. We sat outdoors, right next to the vineyard, and enjoyed a seven-course meal with five wine pairings. It was all incredibly delicious and, unsurprisingly, we were ready to just chill by the pool when we got back to the resort. I would advise you to not schedule dinner reservations in Mendoza when having these winery lunches during the day - you will not be hungry!
The rest of our time in Mendoza was spent at our beautiful hotel. We had the chance to do an empanada making class at the hotel where we met another couple traveling on their honeymoon (quite common here!). We also experienced the spa and hammam on site - Entre Cielos is the only hotel in Mendoza with a hammam - it was a lovely two-hour spa experience and a nice way to unwind towards the end of our stay.
The weather in Mendoza, like many places, can be unpredictable.
Although it was very hot the first two days we were there, it quickly cooled off and, by the time we left, was barely 60 degrees. Definitely suggest packing layers if you are traveling in shoulder season. And if you choose to travel to Mendoza in the summertime, be prepared for hot weather as temperatures climb past 100 degrees. I would definitely recommend coming during Spring or Fall (around harvest time) to avoid those extreme temperatures!
If you are a wine lover, Mendoza is a must visit destination.
There are a number of beautiful boutique resorts around the region including Entre Cielos, The Vines, Cavas Wine Lodge, and Casa de Uco. It’s a great destination to complement time in Buenos Aires with its slow pace and relaxed vibes. Although I can’t wait to return, at least I have five bottles of wine to bring me back there momentarily!
If this has piqued your interest, reach out as we would love to help you plan your own wine trip to Argentina!