Mendoza and the vineyards holidays
Mendoza and the vineyards holidays at a glance
Mendoza’s claim to be the “land of sunshine and wine” isn’t far off the mark. Lying in the rain-shadow of the snow-capped Andes, the landscape is studded with vineyards producing some of the country’s finest wines. The city itself has kept its 19th-century character, with lakeside open spaces and sycamore-shaded avenues giving it a relaxed, easy pace – and it makes an excellent base for exploring both the surrounding wine country and the mountains beyond.
Wine tourism sits at the heart of any trip here. Boutique wineries welcome visitors for tastings, cellar tours and long lunches among the vines, and several of the best Mendoza wineries offer accommodation too, so you can wake up surrounded by the vineyards you tasted the night before.
Beyond the glass, Mendoza draws travellers after outdoor adventure as well, with the Andes on the doorstep for hiking, rafting and high-altitude exploring.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Mendoza and the vineyards
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
The self-proclaimed ‘land of sunshine and wine’ is studded with lush vineyards and overlooked by the snow-capped Andes.
When to visit Mendoza and the vineyards
These are the hottest months, with temperatures reaching highs of 30°C. Wet days are more common, with the most rain falling in January.
During these months the vineyards are particularly striking, cloaked in their fiery autumn plumage. Temperatures are warm but not overly hot, with plenty of sunshine. The first weekend of March is the Fiesta de la Vendímia wine festival in Mendoza, with folklore concerts, parades and floats.
Temperatures are at their coolest and there is increased cloud cover during the winter months, with less chance of rainfall than in any other season.
This is a wonderful time to visit the vineyards, as spring welcomes fresh greenery, pleasantly warm temperatures and plentiful sunshine. This is a good time to stay in one of the local wineries, where you’ll learn about wine-making processes while savouring the finest malbecs.
Top Things to do in Mendoza and the vineyards
There’s a rewarding blend of wine, gastronomy, mountain scenery and outdoor activity to fill a Mendoza itinerary many times over – from Malbec tastings in the Uco Valley to rafting trips into the foothills.
Visit the Andean Mendoza region in western Argentina to discover the heartland of celebrated Malbec wines.
Accommodation in Mendoza and the vineyards
This is vineyard-stay territory above all. Many of the region’s best addresses put you right among the vines, with gourmet dinners, wine tastings and Andean views thrown in as standard.
Casa de Uco is a striking Mendoza winery welcoming guests to explore outstanding mountain landscapes and the property’s high quality wines.
Sophisticated and indulgent vineyard hotel offering fine vintages and a superb gastronomic experience on the flanks of the Andes.
Small boutique hotel on an award-winning vineyard, with nightly wine tastings, an idyllic rural setting and stylish contemporary features that complement the original estate building.
Friendly and informal family-owned country house in the heart of Argentina’s wine region. A rustic place, not luxurious, but the service is exceptional.
The Vines of Mendoza is a first class wine resort for wine lovers with several other wineries within walking distance.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Mendoza and the vineyards
Group Mendoza and the vineyards Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Gaucho: Vintage Argentina
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Mendoza and the vineyards · Salta · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Buenos Aires
12 days from £3,791
Tailor-Made Mendoza and the vineyards Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Food and wine: Vineyards of Argentina and Chile
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Mendoza and the vineyards · Salta · Santiago and the vineyards
13 days from £7,300
Luxury Argentina: Vineyards, glaciers and gauchos
Places visited: Buenos Aires · The Pampas · Mendoza and the vineyards · El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park
13 days from £11,600
Signature Brazil, Argentina and Chile: Coast to coast
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Buenos Aires · Mendoza and the vineyards · Santiago and the vineyards
15 days from £5,650
FAQs about visiting Mendoza and the vineyards
Mendoza and the vineyards is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- What is Mendoza famous for?
Malbec wine, vineyard estates, gourmet cuisine and its spectacular setting beneath the Andes.
- What is the best time to visit Mendoza and the vineyards?
Mendoza is a year round destination with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures dip from a high of 30°C to 15°C in winter but most rain falls in summer. The vineyards are stunning when cloaked in the fiery red of their autumn plumage.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in Mendoza?
The main language spoken in Mendoza is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Mendoza?
The Argentine Peso is the main currency used in Mendoza. Argentina is more cash-orientated than the UK and some other Latin American countries.
Although ATMs are available some clients have difficulties withdrawing cash so it’s best not to rely on them. Local ATM fees can be high and the amount you can take out is usually much lower than in the UK. - What is the time difference between Mendoza and the UK?
The time difference between Mendoza and the UK is GMT -3 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, but this is announced ad hoc on a year-on-year basis.
- What places combine well with Mendoza and the Argentine vineyards?
- How do I get to Mendoza and the Argentine vineyards?
A flight from Buenos Aires takes 1hr 50mins.
- What wines is Mendoza known for?
Malbec above all – this is Malbec Argentina at its finest, though Cabernet Sauvignon and other reds are also grown here.
- What are the festivals and cultural and sporting events in Mendoza and the vineyards?
Fiesta de la Vendímia: a huge, extravagant wine festival in Mendoza, first weekend of Mar annually. There’s a carnival atmosphere with folklore concerts, parades and floats.
- Is Mendoza worth visiting?
Yes – it’s Argentina’s leading wine-producing region and one of the country’s most rewarding destinations for food and wine lovers.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.