Uco Valley icons
The two-minute summary
If you have two days in Mendoza, the highest-reward shortlist is:
- Catena Zapata (Luján de Cuyo) — the iconic pyramid; the family that built modern Argentine wine.
- Zuccardi Valle de Uco (Uco Valley) — voted World’s Best Vineyard three years running.
- One boutique winery of your choice (Achával Ferrer, Vistalba, or Durigutti in Luján; SuperUco or Riccitelli in Uco).
That combination — one icon, one architectural masterpiece, one intimate — gives you the full spectrum of Mendoza wine in two days.
Mendoza’s three wine zones, briefly
Wineries in Mendoza sit in three distinct areas, each about an hour from the others. Where you sleep determines what is realistic in a day.
Luján de Cuyo — about 20 minutes south of Mendoza city. The classic, historic heartland; Argentina’s first wine appellation; home to some of the oldest Malbec vines and the most legendary estates. Vineyards sit between 800 and 1,200 meters.
The Uco Valley — about an hour to the south, climbing into the Andes. The modern, high-altitude vanguard. Vineyards from 900 to 1,500+ meters. This is where the architectural masterpieces and the world-ranked wineries are concentrated.
Maipú — closest to Mendoza city, the most accessible by bike or short taxi. Smaller, older, more historic. Great for a half-day rather than a full one.
See our Mendoza regional guide for the full geography.
Zuccardi Valle de Uco
Zuccardi Valle de Uco
For most travelers, this is the single most extraordinary winery in Argentina. The dramatic concrete-and-stone architecture rises out of the high desert; the wines (focused on terroir from the rocky Paraje Altamira and high-altitude Gualtallary) are reference points; the Piedra Infinita Cocina restaurant is on the Michelin Guide. Voted World’s Best Vineyard for three consecutive years (2019–2021) and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.
Restaurant reservations need to be made well in advance.
Susana Balbo Wines
Susana Balbo Wines
One of Argentina’s most celebrated winemakers — the country’s first female enologist — whose winery is now a destination in its own right. The on-site Abadía de Crear restaurant is Michelin Guide-recommended. Particularly known for elegant whites, including a signature Torrontés.
