A Sip of the Andes: 3 Perfect Days in Mendoza

After a short flight from Buenos Aires, we arrived in Mendoza and checked into Entre Cielos, a modern boutique hotel surrounded by its own vineyards in Luján de Cuyo. The property blends clean, contemporary design with relaxed, friendly service—stylish without feeling pretentious. The views of the Andes in the background set the tone immediately.

Once we unpacked, we joined the hotel’s complimentary wine tasting, a nice introduction to local varietals and the slower pace of the region. Later, we tried the empanada-making class, which turned out to be both fun and delicious when we got to test our creations—more hands-on than we expected. Dinner that night was a classic Argentine asado served outdoors, complete with generous pours of Malbec. It was casual, social, and a great way to start the trip.

We started the day with breakfast at Entre Cielos, looking out over the vineyards before heading out to explore the region’s wineries. Our first stop was MAAL Wines, a small, creative operation that focuses almost entirely on Malbec. The tasting was relaxed and personal—the kind where you end up chatting about winemaking philosophy as much as what’s in the glass.

Next up was Krontiras Winery, a biodynamic producer with a calm, peaceful vibe and some really interesting blends. The staff took time to walk us through their approach to organic farming, which gave the visit a nice educational angle. There was one point where she told us about cow husks covered in nutrient-rich natural compost that were buried to enrich the soil! Fascinating.

In the afternoon, we joined a sunset horseback ride through the foothills of the Andes. The scenery was incredible—open valleys, soft light, and views that seemed to stretch forever. As we paused to watch the sun dip behind the mountains, one of the guides began to serenade us with song and guitar, adding an unforgettable touch to the moment as we sipped our wine and waited for dinner. The evening wrapped up with another asado cooked on-site by the guides, served around a campfire with local wine. It felt authentic, unhurried, and completely memorable—one of the true highlights of the trip.

Our last full day was packed but well worth it. We started at Riccitelli Winery, a modern, art-driven space with playful, high-quality wines and a fun, creative atmosphere. From there we went to Bodega Benegas, one of the oldest in the region, where the history of the property really comes through—old stone buildings, dusty barrels, and a dining room table that seats 20!

Lunch was the grand finale: a seven-course tasting menu at Trapiche. The experience was impressive—each course thoughtfully paired with wines, presented beautifully but without being over the top. It felt like the perfect summary of what Mendoza does best: local ingredients, great wine, and unhurried hospitality.

We headed back to Entre Cielos afterward for some downtime at the Hammam Spa and a much-needed foam massage. It was the ideal way to wind down before flying back to Buenos Aires the next morning.

We had breakfast on the terrace and took one last walk through the vineyards before checking out. The trip went by quickly, but it was the perfect amount of time to get a real feel for Mendoza—the wine, the people, and the relaxed pace that makes it such a special escape from the city.