17 Best Sights in Wine Regions, Argentina

Built in 1897, Lagarde is one of the oldest wineries in Mendoza, and it's led by Sofía and Lucila Pescarmona, third-generation sisters who now cultivate grapes and make wine. Tour the 19th-century property before enjoying lunch or dinner alongside the centenary vines at Fogón, a delicious tasting and à la carte menu with many ingredients sourced from the organic garden; you can also enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Those after a fully immersive eno-gastro experience can sign up to the cooking school.  Lagarde rents an adorable two-bedroom cottage on its Perdriel estate.

This modern winery in the heart of Lujan is Santiago Achaval (co-founder of Achaval Ferrer) and Roberto Cipresso's personal project. They make a series of exciting, exclusive Malbecs, producing just 40,000 bottles from different wine regions in Argentina. The dollar price tag (tours start at $30) reflects the exclusive pours and attentive experience. There's also Mater House, a small lodge, worth staying at. 

Trendy young winemaker Matías Riccitelli made his name with innovative and eye-catching labels and fortunately what’s in his bottles live 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. Book in 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.

Susana Balbo—Argentina's first licensed female winemaker—has been making a name for herself since 2001, when she pioneered the making of 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 tasting menus, and Espacio Crios for picnics and light snacks.

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-site Malbecs in Mendoza.

A contemporary Mayan pyramid rising from the vineyards fronts the towering Andes at this landmark winery owned by the fourth generation of the Catena family. Descend from a crystal cupola through concentric spaces to the tasting room, which is surrounded by 400 oak barrels. The winery is due to open its first restaurant and cellar in 2022. 

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 still intact. Today production is much larger and there's a wide portfolio. Tours with tastings and other vineyard experiences are available with advance reservations, and the stylish on-site restaurant, La Vid ($$$$), welcomes lunch guests for a five-course tasting menu or à la carte dishes.

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 preserving corks. The winery may be nothing fancy, but Carmelo has a cult-like following and he exports his 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 pretty bistro serves a tasting menu paired exclusively with sparkling wine.

When the Ortiz family bought this 1890-constructed bodega from Kendall Jackson in 2003, CEO 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. 

Brothers Hector and Pablo Durigutti worked for various bodegas for many years before finally setting roots in Las Compuertas. Take a guided visit, with a strong focus on terroir, at this new complex located on Finca Victoria, which includes a winery, visitors’ center, and 5 Suelos restaurant, led by renowned chef Patricia Courtois. There are two vineyard cottages available to rent on the estate.

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 85-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—started their own premium winery in 2002. The attractive, modern facility runs excellent tours and tastings (including a fantastic Cabernet Franc) and also offers a sensory aroma class.

This winery is known not just for its stylish wines, but its plentiful lunch—six 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 natives, 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 lunch at their restaurant. In summer, enjoy sunsets over the mountains with a glass of something special.

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.