I’ve visited several wine regions but there are still soooo many I want to try. Mendoza Argentina is one of my top five I still want to get to. My fellow travel writer and wine lover, Claudia Tavani has visited Mendoza on multiple occasions and has shared a few tips and things to know if you’re planning any wine tours in Mendoza.
Having fun in Argentina: Mendoza Wine Tours
Not only are Argentinian wines constantly improving and attracting more critics, but wine tasting and wine tours in Mendoza are simply a good way to see and get to know the area, its history and a huge part of the local culture. To the point that I recommend doing wine tours in Mendoza to those who don’t even really appreciate wine.
Argentina is one of the biggest wine producers in the world, and Malbec, although originating from France, is increasingly celebrated among the best Argentinian varieties. The best Malbec in Argentina is produced in the high altitude regions Andean around Mendoza, such as Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley, at an elevation between 800 and 1500 meters above sea level.
The best, as well as cheapest and – to me – most fun way to explore the wineries in Mendoza is to take the public bus from Mendoza city centre to the nearby Maipú and then renting bikes. (Tweet this!)
There are good bike lanes almost all around the area, so it is safe to bike around. There are many bike rentals, but Mr Hugo is perhaps the most popular one. For around 80 to 100 Argentinian pesos per day he will provide a bike, a map of the wineries, and lots of advice on the best itinerary to follow, including the best places to stop for a bite, the wineries where you will get a good discount for being referred to them, and other places where, together with your tasting, you will get a free bottle of wine.
Wineries usually have an admission charge (between 40 and 60 Argentinian pesos), which includes a full guided tour (in English, Spanish and at times even French and Italian) of the wineries from the vineyard to the actual wine cellar, and a final tasting of 3 to 5 wines.
The full circuit of the wineries around Maipú is about 40 km. Unmissable stops include:
- Bodega Di Tomasso, a historic vineyard whose owners came from Italy during the 1830s
- Bodega La Rural, which has a museum that displays winemaking tools of the 19th century
- Bodega Tempus Alba, which has a lovely, delicious restaurant on a terrace with a breathtaking view over the vineyards
Have you visited Mendoza? Done any wine tours in Mendoza? Would love to hear about your experience or any tips on Mendoza wine tours in the comments.
About the Guest Blogger
Claudia Tavanis from Cagliari (Sardinia) and is obsessed with travelling, you can follow her adventures on My Adventures Across The World. A former human rights lawyer and academic, after devoting her life to the protection of cultural identity, in November 2013 Claudia decided to give in to her biggest passion and started travelling around Latin America, and she has hardly stopped since.
Blogging came as a natural consequence, for Claudia wanted to let her family and friends be updated with her adventures. For more from Claudia see her Blog, Facebook and Twitter.
Elaine Schoch is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, American Wine Specialist and certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET II). At Carpe Travel she shares wine travel destination guides for ALL WINE LOVERS – from novices to experienced pros – to help them plan their wine adventures, arming them with insider tips, must-visit spots, and things to see and do beyond the vines.
Thanks for a great sharing!
Ok… This road bike tour is now officially on my bucket list.
Getting a free bottle of wine with each tour might be motivation for me to go take one! The tour would be very interesting, but I just want to drink! Might as well drink well and learn a little bit in the process as well. Great post Claudia
Mendoza looks like a beautiful place. The winery tours sound amazing. When I’m considering vacation time, I’ll definitely have to consider it!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’re able to make it to Mendoza. Cheers!
Hi Elaine Schoch, your experience tour of Mendoza Argentina is very charming. I have joined some bicycle tours in my country and I really love them.
I am about to plan a trip for the golden gate bridge and I found this article very useful for planning cycle tours.
Thanks for sharing these insights.
Bodega Di Tomasso, a historic vineyard whose owners came from Italy during the 1830s
I haven’t heard of a bike and wine tour before, but it sounds really wicked. This is something that could motivate me to go out and get some exercise done. Usually I am not big into doing physical activity for as long as that could be.
This sounds like a perfect idea for the honeymoon with my fiance. Biking, wine and beautiful country lanes, what an amazing idea!
Yes, it would be an amazing honeymoon. Good luck and congrats!
i am dreaming to go there mandoza. woe travel, wine and riding bike can not wait to go there.
THANK FOR SHARING.
I am going to plan to travel in Argentina and this post is very helpful information for me.
Thanks, glad it’s helpful and enjoy your trip.
Hi Claudia, nice share. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog post. I like wineries a lot, for wine testing there no better place than wineries. However, I don’t think you’ve got enough time to bike ride in Mendoza, but if you’ve have I would love to watch some bike riding photos from your tour.
Hii
Great post!
Tips are really helpful in order to enjoy bike and wine tours in Mendoza Argentina.In this tour, we can explore two things simultaneously.
Thanks,for sharing this valuable information with us.
So great! I love your post. Tips are very useful so that I have many knowledge about bike and wine tours in Mendoza Argentina. Thank for sharing this post
Really helpful, a well-produced point. Looking forward to more such short articles from you.
thanks for sharing this post.
The most fun way to explore the wineries in Mendoza is to take the public bus from Mendoza city centre to the nearby maipu and then renting bikes there. Nice post thanks for sharing your tour.
Thanks for the tip!
Great Tips!!!
Thanks for sharing perfect idea.
Wow great tips!
Thanks for your nice post.
Nice idea! Didn’t even know that they had a wine country down there. Definitely something to put on the bucket list.
Aahh!!!
Bike tour with a bottle of wine great combo.
Have you ever visit France or go on Self Guided Bike Tours, if no then you should definitely go.
We had visited many places in Europe and Spain, Really amazing landscape, You will get marvelous wine there.
Cheerss 🙂 🙂
Thanks for sharing your great tips. I think these tips will help my next tour.
Your tips will really help me when I will plan my vacation. Thanks
thanks for sharing this amazing posting.
Your article is awesome. I really love your tour. I have an interest in bike touring. After reading your articles I make a bike touring plan.