Curator’s statement
If you only add one stop to your Argentina itinerary, make it Mendoza. We visited on our honeymoon, and three nights was simply not enough. I could have easily stayed a week. Between the breathtaking views of the Andes, the world-class wine, the incredible food, and the warmth of the people, this place has a way of getting under your skin in the best possible way. It is the kind of destination that surprises you with how much it has to offer and keeps you thinking about when you can go back.
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Where to stay in Mendoza, Argentina
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Things to do in Mendoza, Argentina
Vina Cobos Vineyard wine tasting
Full-day private wine tour in Luján de Cuyo and Maipú: Do yourself a favor and book a private guide for this. It makes all the difference. Our day took us through a mix of vineyards, from the iconic Paul Hobbs to a small biodynamic family-owned estate that was completely off the beaten path. What I loved most was how personalized it felt. Our guide tailored everything to our interests and walked us through wine and food pairings in a way that genuinely changed how I think about wine. This is not just a tasting trip. It is a full immersion into Argentine wine culture and one of the best days you will have in South America.
Lunch at Angelica at Catena Zapata: You will stop here as part of your wine tour and trust me, it lives up to every bit of the hype. Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s most iconic wineries, and Angelica, their restaurant, is a stunning place to sit down for a long, unhurried lunch. The tasting menu is paired course by course with their wines; the setting is unlike anything else in the region, and the Andes in the backdrop make it feel almost surreal. Do not rush this one.
Cooking experience at Viña Doña Paula: This was one of the most special experiences of our entire honeymoon, and I mean that. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had the whole vineyard to ourselves. We toured the grounds, then went straight to their garden to pick the ingredients we would be cooking with. The cooking itself happens in an outdoor coal-fired kitchen, where you make empanadas and steak alongside their team. Then comes a wine tasting overlooking their water source, with views that take your breath away. It never once felt like a tourist activity. It felt like being welcomed into someone’s home. If you do nothing else in Mendoza, do this.
Explore the vineyards by bike: Not everything needs to be scheduled. Rent a bike, pick a direction, and spend a few hours pedaling between estates at your own pace. The Maipú Valley is perfectly set up for it. Wineries are close together, the roads are flat and scenic, and there is something incredibly freeing about discovering a new favorite wine on your own terms. It is a great counterbalance to a more structured tour day.
Sunset from your private rooftop: I know this sounds simple, but do not skip it. Every evening at Awasi Mendoza, we would head up to our private rooftop terrace with a glass of Malbec and watch the sun go down behind the Andes. Vineyards below you, mountains in front of you, complete silence. It is one of those travel moments you genuinely never forget. Build time for it every single night.
Places to eat & drink in Mendoza, Argentina
Lunch at Angelica
Brindillas: Go here. Even if your lodge includes dinner, and many of them do, go out for at least one night and make it Brindillas. The food is beautifully executed, the wine list is exceptional, and the whole experience reminds you why Mendoza has become one of the great food destinations in South America. You will not regret it.
Angelica at Catena Zapata: Already listed under Things To Do, but it earns a spot here too. The food is as much the reason to visit as the wine. A long, leisurely tasting lunch here is one of those meals you will still be talking about years later.
Dinner at your lodge: The restaurants at Mendoza’s top properties, Awasi Mendoza, especially, are genuinely world-class. Do not overlook them in favor of always going out. Some of my favorite meals of the trip were right there on the property, with the vineyards lit up at night and a glass of something incredible already poured. Take full advantage of the full-board option.
Need to know
Mendoza is a short domestic flight from Buenos Aires, under two hours on Aerolíneas Argentinas. Add it on. You will thank yourself.
Most luxury lodges offer full-board packages that include wine. It is excellent value and lets you focus entirely on the experience. That said, go out for at least one dinner in the city. Brindillas is the one.
October is a wonderful time to visit. It is spring in Mendoza, the weather is warm and pleasant, and you will find it is still low season so the vineyards and restaurants are quieter and more personal. If you want to experience peak harvest, plan for the summer months when the energy around the wineries is at its absolute highest.
If you are looking for a hotel recommendation, I cannot speak highly enough of Awasi Mendoza. It felt less like a hotel and more like staying at someone’s stunning private home and vineyard. With only 17 rooms, each its own little villa surrounded by vineyards and facing the Andes, the intimacy is unlike anything I have experienced. Every room has its own rooftop terrace with a fireplace, and the staff make you feel genuinely looked after from the moment you arrive. It is one of those properties that elevates the entire trip. I could not recommend it more.
Always hire a private guide for your wine tour. The personalization is worth every penny.
If you are planning a honeymoon or a romantic trip, Mendoza belongs on the list. Full stop.
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Mendoza page.