Other activities in Central Argentina
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Las Marianas
One of the prettiest wineries in the region, this one was built in 1922, abandoned in 1950 and reinstated in 1999. The main building is gorgeous, with thick adobe walls and a few examples of the original winemaking equipment lying around. The mountain views out over the vineyard are superb. If you’re coming by bus, catch the 16 (AR$1.30, 40 minutes) near the corner of Santa Fe and Mendoza in San Juan. Get off at the corner of Calle Aberastain and Calle Nuevo, where you’ll see a signpost to the winery (an 800m walk).
reviewed
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Gran Hotel de Villavicencio
If you’ve ordered mineral water from any restaurant or cafe in Argentina, odds are you’ve ended up with a bottle of Villavicencio on your table. These springs are the source, and their spectacular mountain setting once hosted the prestigious thermal baths resort of the Gran Hotel de Villavicencio. Popular with the Argentine elite during the middle of the 20th century, the resort has been closed for more than a decade; promises have floated around for years that it would ‘soon’ reopen.
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Cavas de Zonda
The Cavas de Zonda is in a cave about 16km west of San Juan, via the RP 12, near the town of Zonda. This champagne-maker boasts having the only wine cellar in South America whose ‘roof is a mountain’ and, true or not, its temperatures are perfect for cellaring its excellent sparkling wines. And hey…it’s a darn good marketing tool. Bus 23 leaves the San Juan bus terminal from platform 20 six times daily.
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Viviendo Montañas
For guided hikes further into Cerro Wank mountains, as well as horseback riding (AR$60 for three hours), trout fishing and mountain biking, contact Viviendo Montañas, which has an office on the main road in town. The company can also take you trekking to the top of Cerro Champaquí (2790m), the highest peak in the sierras, for about AR$100 per person.
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Bodega La Rural
Winery tours here are fairly standard (and you probably have the idea by now) but the museum (admission free) is fascinating – there’s a huge range of winemaking equipment from over the years on display, including a grape press made from an entire cowskin. Tours in Spanish leave on the hour. If you want one in English, call ahead, or you can simply walk around on your own.
reviewed
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Complejo Termal Cacheuta
This excellent, open-air thermal-baths complex is one of the best in the country, due to its variety of pools and dramatic setting on the side of a valley. Midweek is the best time to come as weekends get crowded with kids splashing around on the waterslide and in the wave pool and the air runs thick with the smoke from a thousand parrillas.
reviewed
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Almacen del Sur
This working farm produces and exports gourmet deli goods that are grown and packed on the premises. Free tours of the production facilities are available. There’s also an excellent restaurant here, serving delicious set lunches (the more expensive ones come accompanied by local wines) in a leafy garden setting.
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Catena Zapata
Catena Zapata is one of Argentina’s most esteemed wineries. Tours are fairly mundane but are conducted in English, German or Spanish. Tasting – if you put down the cash – can be educational indeed. Get there by taxi (cheaper if you catch a bus to Luján de Cuyo and grab one from there).
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Fabril Alto Verde
The Fabril Alto Verde is a big, state-of-the-art winery that sells 90% of its wine for export; tours here are in English or Spanish and come accompanied by a rather dreary promotional video. The award-winning organic brands Buenas Hondas and Touchstone are produced here.
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Bodega Escorihuela
Bodega Escorihuela, founded in 1884, is one of the country’s oldest wineries. It has an art gallery, a restaurant and a famous barrel from Nancy, France, with an impressive sculpture of Dionysus. Take bus ‘T’ from Mendoza’s Av Sarmiento at Av San Martín.
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Luigi Bosca
Luigi Bosca, which also produces Finca La Linda, is one of Mendoza’s premier wineries. If you’re into wine, don’t miss it. Tours are available in Spanish and English. Take bus 380 (AR$2, one hour) from platform 53 in Mendoza’s bus terminal.
reviewed
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Miguel Mas
This small winery makes some of the country’s only organic sparkling wine (champagne) and other wine. The whole process – apart from inserting the cork in bottles – is done by hand. Tours (in Spanish only) take you through every step of the process.
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Viñas de Segisa
This stately old winery has a museum feel. The tour of the underground cellar complex is excellent and tastings are generous. This is one of the few wineries who actually admit to ‘chipping’ (adding oak chips to young wines to improve flavor).
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Bodegas Chandon
The modern Bodegas Chandon is popular with tour groups and known for its sparkling wines (champagne). Tours are available in Spanish and English. Take bus 380 (AR$2, one hour) from platform 53 in Mendoza’s bus terminal.
reviewed
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Oso Loco
Full-service ski tours and lessons in Spanish or English. Best quality ski-equipment rental in town. Also brokers a range of on-mountain accommodations, from budget to luxury. Summer activities include sandboarding in nearby Lavalle.
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Historia y Sabores
Seven families run this little chocolate- and liqueur-making operation. Tours are brief, but the lovely rustic surrounds and comfy bar (where you’re invited to a free shot of liqueur) make it a worthwhile stop.
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Francois Lurton
An ultramodern facility run by two French brothers from a famous winemaking family, producing one of the best Mendoza torrontés on the market. Excellent tours with impressive tasting areas and barrel room.
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Carinae
Carinae is the furthest south you really want to go – it’s a small, French-owned winery producing a lovely rosé and some good reds. Tour fees are deducted from any wine purchases you make.
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Bikes & Wines
Bikes & Wines will supply you with a (basic) map of the area and may offer to take you in a van to your furthest point, meaning you only have to ride the 12km back to base.
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Hugo Bikes
Hugo Bikes will supply you with a (basic) map of the area and may offer to take you in a van to your furthest point, meaning you only have to ride the 12km back to base.
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Coco Bikes
Coco Bikes will supply you with a (basic) map of the area and may offer to take you in a van to your furthest point, meaning you only have to ride the 12km back to base.
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Salentein
A state-of-the-art, Dutch-owned winery that’s distinctive for its on-site contemporary-art gallery and its method of moving grapes and juice by hand and gravity, rather than by machine.
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LAUR
LAUR is a 100-year-old olive farm. The 15-minute tour tells you everything you need to know about olive oil production and is followed by a yummy tasting session.
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Risco Viajes
Try Risco Viajes, who offers standard local excursions to Valle Grande and nearby wineries, white-water rafting, mountain biking and other activities.
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Di Tomasso
The Di Tomasso is a beautiful, historical vineyard dating back to the 1830s. The tour includes a quick pass through the original cellar section.
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