Updated March 2021
Switching it up
Lujan de Cuyo is a small subregion in Mendoza located 20 minutes south from the main city center. While the neighboring Maipu region has large plots of lands and huge estates, Lujan de Cuyo is more about smaller producers (garagistas).
Don’t miss our guide to Maipu – the first stop on the Mendoza wine route.
Malbec is the shining star to look for–the high-altitude bring some zippy acidity, which adds freshness and better chance for aging. Read our Lujan de Cuyo guide to continue on the Mendoza wine route.
Where to taste
We recommend bikes for this region as the wineries are very close together. Baccus Biking is the best bet for a day rental or tour.
Carmelo Patti – A true garagiste who makes wine right out of his garage. At the family-owned operation, Carmelo himself takes you on a guided tour and if you’re lucky, dips the thief into the barrels for some samples. We love the Cabernet Sauvignon single varietals, especially some of the older ones.
Did you know? Single varietal wines in Argentina must contain at least 85% of the listed variety.
Susana Balbo Wines – Located to the south of Lujan across the Mendoza river lies a lovely tasting experience. Albeit a slightly larger operation than Carmelo’s, the wines are very well made. Fresh bright fruit notes pair well with a beautiful lawn for basking in the Mendoza sun. Try the Torrontés – Argentina’s crispy aromatic white varietal.
Alta Vista – A great selection of high elevation single varietal Malbecs. We also enjoyed some of their lighter whites and rose’s, all available with a custom tasting selection. Take a tour of the property or if time is tight, simply enjoy the tasters in the sprawling lawn.
Where to eat
Bodega Lagarde – Delicious Argentinian cuisine paired with their own wines. As is the case with most restaurants in Mendoza, they are only available for lunch. While the wine itself doesn’t crack our top 3, the food is worth the trip. And compared to pricing in North America and Europe, $60pp for a Michelin-course-tasting-lunch and wine pairing is a serious bargain!
Brindillas – The local hot spot. Local ingredients paired with modern and sophisticated touches; an experience you don’t want to miss. What’s more, the restaurant is open for dinner unlike so many others in the region. Make sure you call ahead for una reserva.
Barijho Beer Garden – One can only endure so much heavy Malbec and Cabernet, so this is a great pallet refresher. Only open in the evening, go after a long day of tasting to enjoy some local cerveza, delicious burgers and socialize with locals. ¡Salud!
Where to stay
Once again, we opted for the locals experience via Airbnb. We had five people in our group and rented this beautiful three bedroom house with a pool and a pit for Asado (traditional Argentinian barbecue). Our hosts were very sweet and thoughtful and we enjoyed an Asado dinner together one night.
Other activities
Hike Aconcagua – South America’s tallest mountain, nearly 23k feet! We hiked to base camp which was a solid 7 mile trek and witnessed some jaw-dropping sites. The entrance to the park is roughly 2.5 hrs west of Lujan de Cuyo and on the way, you can stop at Lago Potrerillos.
Lago Potrerillos – A stunning lake located just 45 minutes west from Lujan de Cuyo and on the way to Aconcagua. If you’re around in the summer, this is a great spot to go for a swim.
Check our Ultimate Mendoza Wine Route when planning your trip!
