Updated March 2021
Best wineries in Maipu Mendoza
Maipu is the oldest of Mendoza’s three main grape growing regions and known for their big bold Malbecs and Cabernet Sauvignons. Located just 15 minutes by car southeast from the main Mendoza city center, Maipu is a good first stop when exploring the Mendoza wine region.
Vines are spread across large, flat plaines, filled with big name producers like Zuccardi, Rutini and Trapiche. Maipu may not be our favorite compared to Lujan de Cuyo or the Uco Valley, but it’s still worth a visit.
Read our wine tasting guide to Maipu Mendoza below to learn how to navigate the area and don’t miss our Ultimate Mendoza Wine Route when planning your trip!
Where to taste
As with other regions like Burgundy and Stellenbosch, the best way to tour Maipu is via bicycle. Pick one up at Maipu Bikes and set your course for the day.
Bodegas Lopez – founded in 1898 by the Spanish Immigrant Jose Lopez Rivas, this is one of Mendoza’s oldest and most iconic wineries. The winery offers free tastings and tours, but if you want to try any of the higher end labels, it’ll cost about $10-20.
Did you know? Wines labeled “Reserva” must be aged for at least 12 months for red wines or 6 months for white and rosé wines.
Carinae Vineyards – a rare, small batch producer started by a sweet couple from France. Carinae offers traditional varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah but also sparkling wine made in the Charmat process.
Tempus Alba – Not a boutique operation (few are in the Maipu region), but the tasting room is beautiful and the wines are pretty tasty. This spot reminds us of some of the wineries in Valle de Guadalupe Mexico. The Bordeaux blends are tasty and they offer library tastings for some of the older vintages.
Where to eat
Casa El Enemigo – Incredible tasting menu paired with their own wine sourced from Lujan de Cuyo and The Uco Valley. The food is delicious, the price is reasonable and the wines are some of the best in the area–thus making this our favorite restaurant in Mendoza. Open for lunch only (until 5pm) and reservations are required.
Casa de Campo – Argentina’s version of a barbecue is called Asado (grilled meat) and much like the Braai from South Africa, Asado is deeply engrained in the culture. You can find delicious, genuine Asado at Casa de Campo paired nicely with an extensive local wine list (including some aged gems). Casa de Campo is only open only for lunch (until 6pm) and reservations are usually not required.
Josephina – You may have noticed that most of Maipu’s restaurants are closed after lunch. That’s because most local Argentinians eat a big lunch, take an afternoon snooze (siesta) and cook with their families for dinner. If cooking isn’t your thing, head to Avenue Colon in the downtown area of Mendoza for a street packed with restaurants and bars. Josephina was our favorite fine dining in the area serving fresh delicacies outside of the traditional asado varietals. Josephina is closed on Monday and reservations are recommended.
Where to stay
To get a proper local’s experience, we opted to stay in an Airbnb near the center of Maipu. We were hosted by an amazing couple named Ivan and Nora, both artists and native Argentinians. They welcomed us into their home with open arms, taught us about the local culture and provided our first asado experience!
Other activities
Giddy up! If learning about the asado culture wasn’t enough, check out Cabalgatas Rancho Viejo for some local horseback riding, Ranchero style. The friendly folks at Cabalgatas have a variety of training and trail riding options to please any style of rider.
