Mendoza's Uco Valley High Altitude
Climb to the world's highest vineyards in the shadow of the Andes.
The stops
- Festival · Price: moderate Mendoza Fiesta de la Vendimia South America's biggest wine party. Queen election, Frank Romero Day amphitheater show, 2+ weeks of events.
- Tour · Price: high Uco Valley: From the 1,000 m Line to San Martín's Tree In the Uco Valley altitude is written into law. In 2017 Argentina's wine institute set the eastern edge of the Paraje Altamira IG on the 1,000 m contour line. Zuccardi says its Piedra Infinita vineyard sits at 1,100 m; Salentein says its winery stands at 1,200 m. Gualtallary, which Zuccardi places at up to 1,500 m, has no registered IG. Start among lime-coated granite, taste in a cellar with a compass-rose floor, and end about 1,800 m up at El Manzano Histórico, where San Martín rested on 29 January 1823. You can do it all with a driver who tastes nothing.
- Tour · Price: high Luján de Cuyo Classic Bodegas Visit birthplace of Argentine Malbec. Tour Catena Zapata, Achaval Ferrer, and historic estates.
- Adventure · Price: moderate Cafayate Torrontés & Canyons Argentina's highest vineyards at 3,000m. Taste floral Torrontés surrounded by red rock canyons.
The story
Extreme altitude, dramatic scenery, and Malbec that has no equal.
Plan the trip
Insider tip Book an asado (barbecue) lunch at one of the wineries - it's the quintessential Argentine wine experience.
Getting there and around
- Car required
- Yes
- Parking
- All bodegas have ample free parking. Roads to Uco Valley are good but require attention.
- Nearest airport
- Mendoza (MDZ) - 20 min to Luján de Cuyo, 1.5 hr to Uco Valley
- Drinking and driving
- Almost everyone uses drivers/tours - it's expected and affordable. Argentine wine portions are generous.
- Other airports
-
- Buenos Aires (EZE) - 1 hr flight to Mendoza, or 13 hr drive
- Without a car
- Wine tours with driver very common and affordable (USD $80-150/day). Most hotels arrange tours. Public transport essentially non-existent to wineries.
Where to stay
- Base yourself in
- Mendoza city or Chacras de Coria
- Why there
- Mendoza city has nightlife and restaurants. Chacras de Coria (15 min) is wine-country charming. For Uco Valley days, consider one night in Valle de Uco.
- Booking tip
- Harvest (Feb-Apr) is busy but exciting. Book 1+ month ahead. Winter (Jun-Aug) is quiet and cold.
- Nightly range
- ARS $40,000-200,000/night (USD $40-200)
Recommended stays
- Budget
- Diplomatic Hotel (USD $60) - Central Mendoza, pool, wine bar
- Luxury
- The Vines Resort (USD $500+) - Private vineyard villas, own label, Uco Valley
- Mid-range
- Entre Cielos (USD $200) - Vineyard hotel, Hammam spa, Luján de Cuyo
- Vineyard stays
- Cavas Wine Lodge (USD $350) - Adobe casitas, vineyard views, pool
What it costs
- Includes
- 3 nights accommodation, driver/tours, 5-6 bodega visits, meals
- Meals
- USD $15-30 lunch, USD $40-80 dinner
- Per person
- USD $600-2,000
- Ways to spend less
-
- Argentina offers incredible value for world-class wine experiences
- Asado lunches at bodegas are generous - no dinner needed
- Buy wine here - prices are 30-50% less than export markets
- Shared tours are budget-friendly (USD $50-80/day) and sociable
- Tasting fees
- USD $15-40 per bodega (often include food pairings)
Booking and timing
- Lead time
- 1-2 weeks for most bodegas, 2-4 weeks for Zuccardi and top names
- Closed days
- Most open daily. Some closed Monday.
- Peak season
- Harvest festival (late Feb-Mar): book 1+ month ahead. Easter and long weekends busy.
- Best time of day
- Book asado lunches for the full experience. Morning visits for cooler weather.
- Group size
- Most bodegas accommodate any size. Premium experiences need advance booking.
Where to eat
- Lunch
-
- Zuccardi Piedra Infinita Restaurant - World-class, Andes views, USD $80+
- Casa Vigil (El Enemigo) - Chef Alejandro Vigil, wine pairings, USD $100+
- Siete Fuegos at The Vines - Francis Mallmann's fire cooking, USD $150+
- Ruca Malen - Wine pairing lunch with stunning views, USD $60
- Dinner
-
- Azafran (Mendoza) - Best in the city, USD $50-70
- Anna Bistró (Chacras de Coria) - Neighborhood gem, USD $40-60
- Osadía de Crear (Chacras) - Creative Argentine, USD $50-80
- La Marchigiana (Mendoza) - Classic pasta and wine, USD $30-50
- Winery restaurants
-
- Zuccardi - World-class dining experience
- Casa Vigil - Intimate, exceptional wine pairings
- Bodega Salentein - Multiple dining options
If your time is short
- If you only have one day
- If it rains
- Extended Catena Zapata cellar tour, or Killka art gallery at Salentein
- Skip if time is short
Mistakes to avoid
-
- Don't underestimate the altitude - Uco Valley is 1,000-1,500m, drink water
- Don't skip the asado experience - it's quintessentially Argentine
- Don't drive yourself if you want to properly taste
- Don't exchange money at the airport - use Western Union or Wise for better rates
- Don't expect credit cards everywhere - bring cash (USD or ARS)
- Don't book everything in Uco Valley for one day - distances are significant
Worth stopping for
-
- Andes backdrop from any Uco Valley vineyard - snow-capped drama
- Zuccardi architecture with mountain views
- Catena Zapata pyramid building at sunset
- Asado flames with wine in foreground
- Salentein underground cellar cathedral