Top 10 Wineries in Mendoza
Mendoza sits in the Andean foothills at 800 to 1,500 metres above sea level. Intense sun, cool nights, very low humidity, and snowmelt irrigation produce Malbec of extraordinary depth — and a new generation of single-parcel wines that finally treat Argentina as a serious terroir region.
1. Catena Zapata, Luján de Cuyo
The estate that made high-altitude Malbec famous. The Adrianna Vineyard (1,450 m) is one of the world's most studied vineyards; White Bones Chardonnay and White Stones Malbec are flagships.
2. Zuccardi Valle de Uco, Uco Valley
The most exciting Argentine project of the last decade. Concreto (Malbec in concrete egg), Finca Piedra Infinita, and the Zeta ultra-premium Malbec define the new Uco Valley style.
3. Achaval-Ferrer, Luján de Cuyo / Uco Valley
A modern producer focused on single-vineyard Malbec. Finca Bella Vista, Finca Altamira, and Finca Mirador are reference parcellaires.
4. Bodega Salentein, Uco Valley
A Dutch-owned estate built at 1,050-1,500 m in the Uco Valley; an ambitious cellar designed as a walk-in artwork and an excellent restaurant programme.
5. Bodega Aleanna (El Enemigo), Uco Valley
Adrianna Catena and David Bonomi's biodynamic estate from old vines in cool Gualtallary. El Enemigo Malbec and Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc are benchmarks of Argentine finesse.
6. Terrazas de los Andes, Luján de Cuyo
The LVMH Argentina project, organising vineyards by altitude terraces. Joint venture Cheval des Andes (with Cheval Blanc) is the prestige cuvée.
7. Bodega Norton, Luján de Cuyo
A historic English-founded estate (1895) now Swarovski-owned; Privada and Perdriel Malbec are reference wines and the visitor programme is among the best.
8. Susana Balbo Wines, Agrelo
Argentina's first female enology graduate and one of its most influential winemakers. Strong on Torrontés as well as Malbec; BenMarco is the export flagship.
9. Bodega Caro, Mendoza
The joint venture between Lafite Rothschild and Catena Zapata. Caro and Amancaya are Bordeaux-meets-Mendoza Malbec-Cabernet blends.
10. Bodega Chacra (technically Patagonia)
Worth a mention even outside Mendoza: Piero Incisa della Rocchetta's biodynamic estate on ungrafted 1930s Pinot Noir vines — the new Argentine Pinot benchmark.
Visiting Mendoza
Most estates are within an hour of Mendoza city. The Uco Valley requires a further hour south but rewards the trip with the highest sites and coolest terroirs. Bike tours work well in Luján de Cuyo; 4×4 tours reach the highest Gualtallary plots. Peak season is March to May (harvest and autumn).
Plan your next trip
Every estate above is on the interactive map. Filter to Argentina, zoom to Mendoza, and split Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley as separate day trips.