19 Best Sights in Lujan de Cuyo, Wine Regions

A landmark winery run by the fourth generation of the Catena family, pioneers in producing high-elevation Malbec, visitors previously went wild for the contemporary Mayan pyramid rising from the vineyards in front the towering Andes. Then, in 2022, the family built Angélica Cocina Maestra, its first restaurant, and a distillery, boosting their offering and providing further reason to be excited by the bodega besides a cluster of 100-point scored wines. Experiences include The Blending Game, and a musical sensory experience. At the restaurant, the stunning array of vintages leads the paired tasting menu, rather than the other way round.  Catena Zapata's estate was anointed World's Best Vineyard in 2023. 

Built in 1897, Lagarde is one of the oldest wineries in Mendoza, and it's led by Sofía and Lucila Pescarmona, third-generation sisters making wine. Tour the 19th-century property and sample a wine flight before enjoying lunch alongside the centenary vines at Fogón. It offers a delicious tasting or à la carte menu with many ingredients sourced from the organic garden and also opens for dinner on weekends. Those after a fully immersive eno-gastro experience can sign up to the cooking school.

This solar-powered winery in the heart of Luján is Santiago Achaval (co-founder of Achaval Ferrer) and Roberto Cipresso's personal project. They make a series of exciting, exclusive Malbecs and other varieties, producing just 40,000 bottles from different wine regions in Argentina. You can also book a room at Mater House, a small lodge. 

Hip winemaker Matías Riccitelli made his name with innovative and eye-catching labels and fortunately what’s in his bottles lives up to all expectations. At his Las Compuertas–based winery, enjoy a short guided visit of the premises before sampling some vintages on the balcony overlooking the vineyards. Stay on for lunch at Riccitelli Bistró, helmed by chef Juan Ventureyra, for a delightful, plant-based six-course menu, many of whose ingredients are cultivated by Juan. It was awarded a Michelin green star for sustainability in 2023.

Susana Balbo—Argentina's first licensed female winemaker—has been making a name for herself since 2001, when she pioneered making a high-quality Torrontés. Today, she and her family make reds, whites, and rosés, which you can enjoy in the tasting room or over lunch at one of the two restaurants on-site, Osadía de Crear for elegant tasting menus, and Espacio Crios for picnics and light snacks taken next to the vineyards. You can also book blending experiences and cooking classes.

This winery made its name on single variety Malbec, but today it has expanded to a handful of other varieties as well. Today it's owned by a renowned vodka distiller, and you can learn about the evolution of the company and its different single-vineyard Malbecs in Mendoza. You can also book a table for a lovely lunch at the bodega's Quimera restaurant. 

In 1895, English engineer Sir Edmund Norton, built the first winery in the valley south of the Mendoza River and much of the historical building is intact. Today production is large and there's a wide portfolio. Tours with tastings and other experiences such as blending games or cycling through the vineyards are available, while the stylish on-site restaurant, La Vid Terraza ($$$$), welcomes lunch guests for a four- or six-course tasting menu or à la carte dishes.

When the Ortiz family bought this 1890-constructed bodega from Kendall Jackson in 2003, Patricia Ortiz and oenologist Fabián Valenzuela decided to make more food-friendly wines. Tours begin in the vineyard, followed by tank, barrel, and bottle tastings. In summer, a two-horse carriage driven by a local gaucho takes you on a fun yet educational tour of the vineyard and to visit the resident llamas. Stay on for a farm-to-table lunch created by executive chef Soledad Nardelli.

Carmelo—a legendary garage winemaker—is the passionate owner of this operation. He answers the phone, greets you at the door, and personally conducts tours (in Spanish only), drawing wine from the barrel and entertaining guests with anecdotes and fascinating facts about everything from growing grapes to cork preservation. The winery isn't fancy, but Carmelo has a cult following and exports his Bordeaux red blends around the world.

The president of Moët & Chandon was so impressed by Agrelo's terroir (the soil, climate, and topography that contribute to making each wine unique) that he decided to build the first foreign outpost of his family's company here in 1959. Today the winery is producing vino espumante (sparkling wine) in great quantities. Chandon is popular, so book ahead for private tours. The attractive, eponymous bistro serves a four-course tasting menu paired exclusively with sparkling wine; lunch only.

Brothers Hector and Pablo Durigutti worked for various bodegas for many years before finally setting roots in Las Compuertas. Take a guided visit at the purpose-built complex located on Finca Victoria, which includes the winery, visitors’ center, and 5 Suelos–Cocina de Finca restaurant, led by renowned chef Patricia Courtois. Experiences include a Terroir Tasting, the epic 14-course Historia tasting menu that plates Argentina's history, and a helicopter tour of Las Compuertas.  There are two vineyard cottages available to rent on the estate.

One of the best-kept secrets in the region, the gorgeous Bodega Kaiken is a must-see. The grounds are impeccable, with modern buildings to house the wines and showcase their own process on winemaking. Notable wines that are great from this winery are Mai and Disobedience, with many more options to suit anyone's palate. The on-site restaurant, Ramos Generales Restaurant, is an award-winning experience with excellent wine pairings for any dish you choose, and you honestly can't go wrong with anything you choose off the menu. Try to reserve a table within the vineyards, which are shaded by white cloth tarps that flow with the winds. With an on-site shop where you can buy all the wines you can try on tours that vary in length and amount of wine. Make sure to book all tours and restaurant reservations in advance through their website.

One of the oldest wine dynasties of Mendoza, the Arizú family brought vines over from Spain in 1890 and continues the family legacy at this large winery, which has both a big domestic following and impressive exports. In 2022, the family opened up Finca El Paraíso, a1905-constructed château in impeccable form. While away a day wandering the vineyards and olive groves accompanied by an audio guide, followed up by a tasting and barbecue lunch.

This modest winery is home to one of Argentina's best-known winemakers, Roberto de la Mota, and "quality, not quantity," is the mantra. Informal tours of the unassuming 87-year-old adobe building highlight the loving care grapes receive—from handpicking to hand-crushing to storage.

White adobe walls, tile roofs, flower-bed-lined walkways, and huge shade trees welcome you to this historic bodega. Visits typically include a winery tour and either a wine tasting or a chocolate-and-wine pairing. You can also opt for a 2-km (1-mile) horseback ride to a hilltop for a view of the mountains and vineyards. Most activities finish with an asado lunch at the bodega.

Two brothers from one of the most iconic wine families in Mendoza—the Pulentas—opened their premium winery in 2002. The attractive, modern facility, which is totally powered by solar panels, runs excellent tours and tastings (including a fantastic Cabernet Franc-led one) and also offers a sensory aroma class.

This winery is known not just for its stylish wines, but its plentiful lunch—seven courses of a delectable seasonal tasting menu created by chef Lucas Bustos are paired with predominantly red wines. Vertical tastings of different vintages and wine blending sessions are also on offer in the modern winery.

Spanish wine group Codorniú constructed their Argentine winery in the pirca style of the Huarpe Indigenous people, by piling stones one atop the other. The end result is both practical (it helps keep the winery naturally cool) and visually arresting. A highlight is the panoramic view from the terrace over the vineyards and mountains, where you can have a five-course paired lunch at Alta Gama restaurant. In summer, enjoy sunsets over the mountains with a glass of something special. Non-drinkers are welcomed on the specially designed Zero tour.

Bare brick walls, high ceilings, and a labyrinth of soaring arches shelter premium wines in stainless-steel tanks and oak barrels in this restored 1898 winery. Everything in the tasting room—from the bar to the tables to the leather chairs—is made with recycled barrels. The restaurant serves a well-paired tasting menu. You can also take a cooking class with the chef, and, if you're too full to drive anywhere, stay at Terrazas' guest house.