Mendoza attractions

Achaval-Ferrer may only be a few decades old, but they’re using the same vineyards that have been farmed for 113 years. Located in the foothills of the Andes, the winery draws visitors with its focus on terroir-driven wines, small-lot production, and serene vineyard views. The vines here are naturally irrigated by the River Tunuyán, which lends a fresh, mineral taste to their product, and all of the grapes are harvested by hand.

Discover sandstone sculptures in the middle of the desert during a visit to Ischigualasto Provincial Park. Resembling something out of a surrealist painting, the wind-eroded sculptures stand up from the arid desert floor and are surrounded by cacti and red rock cliffs. In addition, some of the oldest known dinosaur remains and fossils have been found in this park.

The single-story winery building seems dwarfed by the majesty of South America’s highest mountain chain, the Andes, towering behind it, but that was the idea. It was designed to be minimalistic—Andeluna Cellars is proud to grow their wines at altitude, and they want you to drink in the view, not just their produce.

A relatively new kid in the wine game, Finca Decero (“from scratch”) sold their first wines in 2004. Sustainability is at the heart of the operation, and location is everything—the water is fed by glacial melts, and the high altitude means the grapes preserve their natural acidity and absorb more UV light. Almost as delicious as the wines is the view, a panoramic vista over the surrounding Andes mountains. Operating with a strong respect for nature, the biodiversity of the vineyards has been preserved, and local birdlife flourishes here.

Opened in 1999, Bodega Tierras Altas was one of Mendoza's first boutique wineries. Run by the Arizu family with more than a century of experience in winemaking, the winery (bodega) produces malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec rose wines, as well as a range of extra virgin olive oils.

Head to Mount Mercedario in Argentina for a mountain-climbing adventure. The highest peak of the Cordillera de la Ramada range, and the eighth-highest Andean peak, Mount Mercedario is a popular destination for guided treks, complete with porters, mules, base-camp lodging, meals, and English-speaking guides.

One of Mendoza's most cutting-edge wineries, Bodega Renacer has incorporated new technology into its Argentine winemaking process since 2004. A collaboration between owner Patricio Reich and renowned winemaker Alberto Antonini, the contemporary winery is renowned for its excellent malbecs.

Surrounded by the lush green trees typical of Mendoza (despite its desert-like climate), Plaza España is a cultural gathering spot a few blocks from Plaza Independencia, the city’s main square. Its crown jewel is the fountain in its center, on which artfully carved women represent the relationship between Spain and Argentina.

The Iglesia de San Francisco, a National Historic Landmark in Mendoza, is a Renaissance-style pink basilica dating from 1875, which houses the tomb of the daughter of General San Martín. The church is also known for its elaborate altar and Virgin’s chapel, as well as a variety of religious artifacts on display.

While most of Mendoza's wineries specialize in rich reds, most notably malbec, Bodega Cruzat has carved a niche for itself producing sparkling wines. Founded by winemaker Pedro Federico Rosell in 2004, Cruzat grows pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, and produces a selection of fine white and rose sparkling wines using traditional methods.

One of the first wineries in South America, dating from the 18th century, Navarro Correas is ingrained in Argentinian history and culture. Hosts to Polo Argentina, sponsors of the Argentinian Open, and boasting vibrant bottle labels designed by Argentinian artists, the winery exudes cool from every angle. Inside, you’ll find a wine room, reception room, art gallery, and two tasting rooms. Navarro Correas produces red and whites, though it’s particularly well-known for its sparkling wines—unusual in an area famed for Malbec.

Some of Argentina’s most striking landscapes can be found at La Payunia Provincial Reserve, one of the largest volcanic areas in South America. The 1,100-acre (445 hectare) nature reserve is home to hundreds of extinct volcanoes, as well as prairie lands, lakes, and lava fields. The Rio Grande courses through the reserve’s basalt and lava flows, volcanoes, and caves.