Mendoza’s Top 5 Car Tours: Wine, Andes & More!

Mendoza, Argentina, known so well for its incredible wine production and breathtaking scenery, makes it kind of an appealing destination for anyone wanting a driving adventure. Picking the perfect car tour in Mendoza could be a bit tricky, though, since you have quite a range of options available, almost, and they all present rather different experiences. I’ve looked into what makes Mendoza special, and I’m really happy to walk you through the absolute best car tours that promise you remarkable memories.

1. The Classic Wine Route: Luján de Cuyo

You will really love this tour! The Luján de Cuyo Wine Route is, in many ways, the most famous wine region in Mendoza, providing like an incredible peek at Argentinian Malbec. Setting out on this route in your own vehicle means you have the flexibility to take things at your speed, lingering, for instance, a little longer at the vineyards that spark your interest. Vineyards, often, here range quite a bit, from tiny family-operated wineries to large estates with elaborate tasting rooms.

What makes Luján de Cuyo so great? It might be that the wineries go out of their way to welcome guests with warm hospitality and incredibly interesting, you know, tours. You will be capable of learning about what makes each wine unique, from how they grow the grapes to the wine-making. Of course, most tours wrap up with tastings; some really do provide fantastic food pairings, too, which could possibly boost your overall enjoyment.

Make a point of visiting Achaval Ferrer for top-notch Malbec, and then Susanna Balbo Wines to taste other locally grown kinds of wines. As you make your way between the vineyards, it’s possible you will be surrounded by jaw-dropping landscapes. You can take breaks, arguably, when the perfect photo op pops up! A self-driven car tour enables you to discover little roadside restaurants and get a feel for the local flavors, too. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Luján de Cuyo Wine Tour)

2. Uco Valley: High-Altitude Wines with Andean Views

Uco Valley has wineries situated at higher altitudes; it has steadily become more known for its unique wines and the really eye-catching scenery it has to offer. A driving tour through the Uco Valley would be appealing to individuals who want a change of scenery, given its view is mostly mountain vistas, basically, unlike standard vineyards.

Driving here usually means that you can move away from many touristy areas; instead, the trip gets way more intimate and flexible. Quite a few Uco Valley vineyards are really embracing sustainable means for making their wine, and lots give you vineyard tours that let you know precisely how they make such top-notch wines.

Spots like Zuccardi Valle de Uco, which boasts not just its top-tier wines but, arguably, also distinctive architectural style, ought to be on your list. Spending some time at Salentein is strongly suggested, for example, if you want both exceptional wine and modern art viewing at the same time. Be sure you take full advantage of your being free to move about the Uco Valley, to capture, in a way, amazing sights, discover little diners that highlight cuisine, and simply relish the clean, invigorating air. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Uco Valley Wine Tour)

3. Maipú: The Traditional Wine Region

Maipú, generally called Mendoza’s “cradle of wine,” brings with it quite a traditional appeal that really blends classic wine customs alongside contemporary improvements. This region tends to be quite easily accessed from the city of Mendoza, turning it into such an appealing day-trip option.

What distinguishes Maipú, though? That its wineries give tourists an immersion in Mendoza’s lengthy wine-producing history, perhaps, with quite a few being family-run for generations. While visiting Maipú, you shouldn’t skip places such as Bodega La Rural which gives guests a look at older wine-making methods through their wine museum. Incredibly, a stop at Trapiche helps to experience how Maipú has maintained its classic customs while adjusting wine making.

Having a car at your disposal allows exploring not just larger wineries but small, artisan cellars as well. You can sample handcrafted wines; frequently, so, the winemakers themselves are present to describe their practices. Enjoying some flexibility here could help improve your vacation; consider looking into neighboring olive oil manufacturing facilities or sampling regional chocolates, giving you, literally, an exhaustive sensory trip, in some respects. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Maipú Wine Tour)

4. The High Mountain Road: Aconcagua and Beyond

Look! For people who want a break from vineyards, The High Mountain Road, leading up toward Aconcagua, might just be one fantastic option! This driving tour takes you through really magnificent Andean scenery, taking in some charming mountain towns and some quite jaw-dropping perspectives.

A highlight involves passing by spots, basically, such as Potrerillos and Uspallata where the views are panoramic, basically, while offering great options to discover nearby attractions. One has to see Puente del Inca, a kind of natural rock bridge which has hot springs; so too it’s very historic significance creates kind of an intriguing visit!

You should travel up to the Aconcagua Park entrance, getting, apparently, a view of the Andes’ peak from vantage points that are ideal for photography. By traveling with a vehicle, one has the freedom, arguably, to stop, arguably, when required in order to respect the altitude changes, take photos of these great vistas, or savor indigenous fare across smaller mountain communities. To properly acclimatize to the elevation, plan adequate amounts of spare time while being cautious during cooler months, because, perhaps, there can be less predictable highway conditions because of weather conditions. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Aconcagua High Mountain Road)

5. Mendoza City Tour and Surrounds

Actually, spend some time experiencing what it’s really like in Mendoza by touring, more or less, the town of Mendoza as well as its nearby environs. Having the use of a car enables visitors, arguably, to seamlessly get to locations throughout, for example, parks, historic regions, and, certainly, other secret local treasures. Mendoza has wide, tree-lined streets; a visit there involves visiting Plaza Independencia, which seems to be the city’s primary plaza; additionally, explore the Museo del Área Fundacional where the story regarding Mendoza’s origins awaits!

You’ll certainly benefit from the access to Parque General San Martín. A site spanning quite a large area; visitors can get there rapidly should they have a car; in this particular place are also landscapes, sculptures plus water features rendering it ideally suited for slow strolls and picnics equally!

Don’t forget taking trips just outside Mendoza to locations for example Chacras de Coria that deliver a taste, perhaps, regarding rural lifestyles mixed and matched utilizing vineyards combined including, yet, appealing diners too. Working one’s way surrounding Mendoza by way of vehicle offers many avenues regarding exploring that cater spanning an eclectic mixture as to cultures, scenery and memorable gastronomic activities! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mendoza City Tour)

Read our full review: Mendoza Car Tours Full Review and Details