In this blogpost we are visiting Mendoza in Argentina, located around 1000 km west of Buenos Aires, at the foothills of the Andes mountains. The flight time from Buenos Aires is around 1hr 30min. Mendoza is famous for its world class wine production, dominated by the Malbec grape. Around 75% of all Argentinian vineyards are located here. More information about the will follow further down this page.
Mendoza has a desert like climate with hot temperatures between November until March. Between April and October temperatures can drop as low as 0 degrees celcius during the night, but can easily reach 15-20 degrees during the day. Very little precipitation falls during the whole year. We are visiting in the end of November, which means it’s the end of Spring and the beginning of the summer here.
If you fly into Mendoza you will land at the Mendoza International Airport. It’s a smaller airport, served by all the Argentinian airlines. My recommendation is to rent a car, to be able to get around to the vineyards and if you want to visit the mountains.
1. stay at a finca
Finca is a Spanish term for a country-side estate focused on agriculture and in Mendoza that usually means wine. We stayed at this amazing place called Finca Garciarena. It’s located around 30 minutes south of Mendoza City, so you will need a car to get here.
The house is truly beautiful with a lot of wooden details and big floor to ceiling windows in many places. There are only 4 rooms in the building, so an early reservation is recommended.
There is a big garden in the back with a swimming pool and chairs where you can relax. You are completely surrounded by vineyards. I cannot recommend this place enough. It’s truly magical. Stay at least one night here if you are in the Mendoza region.
2. Kayak in a mountain lake
Mendoza is located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The highest peak of the Andes, Aconcagua, reaching almost 7000m is only 100km away. We are not going there, but instead to a mountain lake only 40 minutes car ride from our Finca.
We rented our kayak from this company. Click this link to the location.
The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains. If you are lucky you can see the worlds largest bird in these areas, The Andean Condor.
3. Visit a winery
Make sure to book in advance as most larger wineries here are gated and you will not be able to enter the premises without a booking. We did this mistake and the places we tried to visit were all fully booked. At the sparkling wine brand Chandon we were able to enter the premises and have a look around.
As I understand it’s owned by the French Moet y Chandon and use the same grapes as in Champagne, but because it’s made outside of the champagne region it’s not allowed to be called champagne.
Why is Mendoza Ideal for Winemaking?
1. High Altitude & Climate
- Mendoza’s vineyards are some of the highest in the world, ranging from 600 to 1,500 meters (2,000 to 5,000 feet) above sea level.
- The high altitude results in warm days and cool nights, which helps grapes retain acidity and develop complex flavors.
- Mendoza has a semi-arid climate with very little rainfall, meaning winemakers rely on Andean snowmelt for irrigation.
2. Malbec: The King of Mendoza
- Malbec is the signature grape of Mendoza, producing bold, full-bodied red wines with flavors of dark fruit, plum, blackberry, and spice.
- Originally from France, Malbec thrived in Mendoza’s unique terroir, becoming Argentina’s flagship variety.
3. Other Key Grape Varieties
While Malbec dominates, Mendoza also produces excellent wines from:
- Cabernet Sauvignon – structured, tannic, and great for aging.
- Bonarda – fruit-forward, juicy, and easy to drink.
- Torrontés – Argentina’s signature white wine, known for floral and citrusy aromas.
- Chardonnay – crisp, fresh, and often aged in oak for added complexity.
4. Asado
An Argentinian asado is more than just a barbecue—it’s a deeply rooted cultural tradition centered around grilling meats over an open fire or hot embers. It’s a social event that brings family and friends together, often lasting several hours, with a strong emphasis on quality meat, slow cooking, and shared experiences.
Key Elements of an Argentinian Asado
1. The Fire (El Fuego)
The asado is traditionally cooked over a wood fire or charcoal (carbón), with hardwoods like quebracho preferred for their long-lasting embers. Unlike fast grilling, the meat is cooked slowly over indirect heat to enhance tenderness and flavor.
2. The Grill (La Parrilla)
Most asados use a parrilla, a special grill with adjustable heights, allowing the asador (grill master) to control the heat intensity. Some asados are also cooked using a crossed iron spit (asador a la cruz), where large cuts of meat are leaned over an open fire.
3. The Meat (La Carne)
Beef is king in Argentina, and the best asados feature a variety of cuts, including:
- Asado de tira (short ribs)
- Vacio (flank steak)
- Entraña (skirt steak)
- Matambre (thin cut from the side of the cow)
- Chorizo (pork sausage)
- Morcilla (blood sausage)
Lamb, pork, and chicken are also common, but beef dominates.
4. The Cooking Process
The asador (grill master) takes great pride in cooking the meat to perfection. There’s minimal seasoning—typically just coarse salt (sal gruesa)—to let the meat’s natural flavor shine. Some may use a bit of chimichurri (a garlicky herb sauce) or provoleta (grilled provolone cheese) as accompaniments.
5. The Ritual & Social Aspect
An asado is not just about eating; it’s a long, social event where people gather around the fire, drink Malbec wine or fernet con cola, and enjoy the slow-cooked meats. It’s common for asados to last for several hours, with different meats being served in stages.
6. Classic Accompaniments
- Chimichurri (a sauce made with parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and spices)
- Provoleta (grilled provolone cheese)
- Empanadas (savory stuffed pastries)
- Grilled vegetables like peppers and eggplants
- Salads (simple tomato and onion or mixed greens)
- Bread (Pan) for making choripán (chorizo sandwich)
Why is the Asado So Important in Argentina?
The asado is more than just a meal; it represents Argentinian identity, family, and hospitality. It’s deeply tied to gaucho (cowboy) culture and the country’s long-standing tradition of cattle ranching. It’s also a symbol of unity, as the ritual of grilling brings people together across generations.
We enjoyed delicious food, connected with new people, exchanged stories, and savored some exceptional wines.
That’s all from Mendoza, I hope you got some inspiration and enjoyed this blogpost!
See our YouTube video from Mendoza here:
