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MENDOZA
Argentina

Fall in love with Mendoza, land of Sun and Wine!

More than 320 sunny days, blue skies, the highest mountain in the American continent, nature all around, worldwide recognized vineyards, wineries, restaurants and hotels are waiting for you to discover the pleasure of being yourself while being pampered! Or why not engaging yourself in adventure sports as rafting, balloon flights or horse back riding? Be as active o relaxed as you want to be: discover the #Mendoza Mode.

At the heart of the Andes Mountain range, Mendoza is located in the western central part of Argentina, in the Cuyo region. It is strategically located at the crossing of the main national routes (NR 40 and NR7) and in the middle of the “bioceanic corridor” that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Founded in 1561 by the Spanish Captain Pedro del Castillo, the province was rebuilt in 1861 after an earthquake. Around the 1890s, Mendoza attracted European migrants that developed the wine industry and the region began to grow quickly. Wine became part of Mendoza’s DNA.

It has an area of 148,827 km2 (57,462 sq mi) and almost 2 million inhabitants. Its steady growth during recent years and the diversification of its productive activities has made Mendoza one of the most developed provinces in the country and the main industrial hub of western Argentina.

Mendoza stands out for its human capital, infrastructure, natural resources and its commitment to sustainable economic development. It is known for its agricultural production and industrialization of raw materials as grapes, fruits and vegetables. Other sectors are metal-mechanics, engineering, construction, trade, services, education and ICT (Information and Communications Technology). Mendoza has become a top travel destination given its magnificent natural beauty, great services and infrastructure. Oil, gas, sustainable mining and renewable energy are also key sectors for the local economy.

Wines

The main wine producer and exporter in Argentina

Mendoza is the main wine producer and exporter in Argentina. With more than 150.000 hectares of vineyards, it provides 70% of the country wine production. Its 800 wineries is the largest number in Argentina. Mendoza’s wine industry generates 50% of the province total exports representing more than 80% of Argentina’s wine exports. Argentina is the largest must exporter in the world and Mendoza contributes with half of it.

Mendoza is a desert with just 200 mm rainfall and more than 320 sunny days a year. Because of that, an elaborate canal system, which dates back to the Pre-Columbian times, distributes the water coming from the melting snow to the vineyards below. Mild climate and ideal soil allow growing high-quality grapevine varieties and healthy vines offering great conditions for organic and biodynamic production. Thermal amplitude due to high altitude provides low humidity and increases sun exposure, ideal conditions for grape production.
Malbec is the star of Mendoza Wines as this variety develops its best traits in this area of the world. Despite being of French origin, the oldest plants and the largest cultivated area of Malbec are in Mendoza.
Besides the famous Malbec, Mendoza also produces many other great wines!

Red varieties: Bonarda, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot

White varieties: Torrontés (Flagship white variety of Argentina) , Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pedro Ximenez, Semillón, Pinot Gris
There are only 2 Denominations of Controlled Origin in Argentina and they are both in Mendoza: Luján de Cuyo DOC (1991) and San Rafael DOC (2003).

excellence
in wine

Tourism

Mendoza represents excellence in wine and tourism, what makes it one of the Great Wine Capitals. It has been awarded with the Safe Travel Stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). 150 wineries open their doors to tourism, offering tastings, restaurants, art, culture, horse and bike rides, stays at inns or in thematic accommodations.

Nothing can compare to visiting Mendoza, standing at the vineyards against the majestic backdrop of the Andes mountains on a bright sunny day, savoring the taste of an asado (barbecue) or other delicacies. If your are more adventurous, Balloon flights can also take you high up to overview the vineyards!.

Mendoza also offers outstanding facilities for meetings, incentives, congresses and exhibitions. It includes 5 stars hotels, all kind of services and infrastructure and a great number of fully equipped meeting rooms with capacity for more than 2000 people.

The city of Mendoza is a vibrant center of culture and education and always has options to surprise and entertain!

Rivers, valleys and mountains of Mendoza are ideal natural settings for the practice of adventure tourism (Read more about it under Sport and Adventure).

Rural tourism combines astonishing landscapes, architecture, cuisine, folklore and traditions that preserve Mendoza’s identity. The local cuisine uses seasonal ingredients from the area and traditional cooking methods -as grilling and baking in mood ovens- to create delicious dishes full of natural flavors. Visitors can participate in different tours and experience activities such as sowing, harvesting, pruning or other handcraft production. Discover the amazing experiences that Mendoza has to offer to you here!

Have a look at our
Insiders'
guide

best of
wine tourism

AWARDS

Mendoza Adventure and Health Tourism

Adventure and Health Tourism

Mountains, valleys and rivers of Mendoza are ideal natural settings for the practice of adventure tourism. In the mountain rivers, rafting and cool river kayaking stand out as key leisure activities. There are also several dams, where you can practice sailing and kite surf. In the mountains, it is possible to practice rappel, mountain bike, adventure tours, climbing and zip-lining. The Aconcagua Provincial Park is characterized by its high summits rising towards the sky. Reaching its greatest expression, Aconcagua (6.962masl/ 22,841 ft.), the highest peak in the Americas, catches the attention of mountaineers coming from all around the world. In addition, there are a variety of peaks of different heights and climbing difficulty in the area. The highlights include El Plata Peak and the Tupungato and Tupungativo volcanoes. In Malargüe you can visit Payunia, one of the regions with more density of volcanoes in our planet, with more than 800 cones of different sizes and eruption styles, and in winter, you can enjoy skiing in Las Leñas.

Mendoza has also thermal springs in Cacheuta and Los Molles and a wide variety of international level Spa Centers, many of them offering programs with wine or olive oil treatments. Mendoza even has the only hamam spa in Latin America. There is a yoga program in different wineries throughout the year. Many visitors come to Mendoza for its high quality medical services.

All year
Round Action

Mendoza is wine and action all year long. The National Grape Harvest Festival pays tribute to the people and world of wine. The main ceremony, a show of music and light, is celebrated every year during the first weekend of March to elect the National Wine Harvest Queen. National Geographic places it second on the ranking of the 10 most important harvest festivals of the world. It attracts more than 350.000 people to celebrate tradition and wine in a multiple array of events that include float parades, wine tastings on the city streets, a rally of collectible cars, a horse race and several sports events. The weekend following the main celebration, the LGBT community also elects a Harvest Queen and King with an impressive show.

Music pairs with wine in Mendoza: during 2 weeks including Easter week, Mendoza organizes “Classical Music through the Wine Roads’ and wineries become the perfect setting to enjoy a classical repertoire.

Yearly in April, Rock takes over Monteviejo winery during the Monteviejo Wine Rock. Later on the year, it is the turn of folklore and tango to conquer different wine venues.

October offers different festivals where you can get a taste food and culture from different countries.

You can even enjoy great movies surrounding by vineyards during the ‘Vino el Cine’ Festival, that converts wineries into open air movie theaters.

Spread along the year, different wine tastings and exhibitions offer the opportunity to discover the wide array of wine varieties and labels that Mendoza has for you to keep coming!

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