5 Best Sights in Wine Regions, Argentina

The Zuccardi family set up here in 1950 and has since expanded to the Valle de Uco, but their location in Maipú remains an important base for producing their popular, fully organic, Santa Julia range. The extensive tourist offerings here include harvest experiences and olive oil-making sessions in season, as well as tastings, cooking classes, and dining at one of two restaurants for lunch, including Pan y Oliva, where every dish uses the house olive oil. Be sure to appreciate the exhibitions, which support local artists' work.

In 1855, Felipe Rutini left the hills of Italy to found a winery in the raw land of Coquimbito, Argentina. His descendants planted the first grapes (Chardonnay and Merlot) in the now-popular Tupungato District of the Valle de Uco. Today, Bodega la Rural is still family-owned and -operated. The winery's well-known San Felipe label was created by Alejandro Sirio, a famous Spanish artist. Inside the original adobe barns the Museo del Vino (Wine Museum) displays leather hoppers, antique pressing machines, vintage carriages, 105-year-old tools, and even an amazing mousetrap.

Wines up to 60 years old are stored in the main cellar of this traditional winery, established in 1898 and still owned by the same family. Easily accessible by tram from Mendoza, this is a great budget option with free tours and a range of tastings. The restaurant, upstairs from the wine store, serves à la carte and fixed-menu lunches, and there's also an on-site museum documenting Mendoza's winemaking history.

Founded by a charming French couple, Philippe and Brigitte, who came to Mendoza to start a new life in wine-making, you can book in for a free short tour at this boutique winery. The garden is available should you wish to bring your own picnic. 

Getting to this boutique winery requires a car, but the drive to reach the home winery of one of Argentina's top winemakers, Alejandro Vigil, is worth it. Enjoy a short tour ahead of the lunch and dinner tasting menus before sampling his renowned El Enemigo wines. Guided visits and tastings are also available. One of the few winery restaurants that opens for dinner.