If you’re trying to plan your next wine vacation, don’t forget about South America. Here’s a guide to Argentina’s top five wine regions—don’t miss them!
At this point, we know it’s true—there’s more to the wine world than France, Italy, and California. In fact, there are so many countries out there stepping up their wine game that you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t try them out. To help you on your quest to learning more about winemakers around the world, we’ve put together a guide to Argentina’s top five wine regions. You may not be able to visit just yet, but you can definitely add it to your bucket list!
Important Argentina Wine Facts
Before we delve into the country’s wine regions, we thought it important to highlight a few crucial facts.
- Argentina is the number one producer of wine in South America.
- More Malbec comes from Argentina than any other wine region.
- Some of the vineyards in Argentina (the ones near the Andes Mountains) have some of the highest altitudes in the world!
- Argentina has grown grapes since the mid-16th century!
The world of Argentinian wine is a vast one, and it deserves discussion and visitation. Peruse and learn about the country’s wine regions here.
Cordoba
You’ll find the Cordoba wine region in the center of Argentina. It’s a few hundred miles northwest of Buenos Aires and is full of gorgeous hills, lush rainforests, small villages, and most importantly, scrumptious wines. All that said, it’s actually the country’s smallest wine region, spanning just a few acres. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in history and sophistication.
The area has incredibly healthy soil and high temperatures, so the wines that come from it are distinct and robust. Don’t miss out on their Malbec!
Places to Sip:
- La Matilde: Head here to enjoy the Cordoba countryside and the rancho culture. Wine and agritourism activities abound!
- Bodega Noble San Javier: A smaller winery than La Matilde, Bodega Noble is a boutique winery that focuses on biodynamic and organic red wine production! It’s the place for Malbec!
- Famiglia Furfaro: Head here, and you’ll see mountains, plains, waters, and clear skies—what better setting for wine? Don’t miss out on their red blends.
Catamarca
An up-and-coming wine region in Argentina, Catamarca is in the northwestern part of the country. It’s another small wine region, but again, that doesn’t make the wine any less magnificent. Most of the region’s vineyards are planted along the Abaucan River, which plays a role in the soil. That, paired with the low latitude and high altitude, means the vineyards get sun-filled days and cool, dry evenings—a winemaker’s dream.
Don’t miss their Malbec (of course) and their excellent Syrah!
Wineries to Visit:
- Bodega Cuello Roca: An organic vineyard in the Tinogasta valley, Bodega Cuello produces a slew of red and white grape varieties. Try out their Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo, and Tannat.
- Finca Don Diego: This winery focuses on producing wines for exportation—from Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec to Merlot and Chardonnay, you have plenty of options to enjoy.
Mendoza
Mendoza is the largest of Argentina’s five wine regions. It’s home to over 1,200 wineries and sits right at the bottom of the Andes, stretching to more than 350,000 acres worth of land. With the Andes present close by and the beautiful conditions (high altitude, high sunshine), grapes grow rich in flavor, color, and taste.
You could spend a trip solely in this region, and we’d recommend it! With so many wineries to explore, you’re sure to taste variations of Cabernet Sauvignon that you’d never get to experience elsewhere. There are tons of great places to sip, but here are just a few:
Sippin’ Spots:
- Bodega Ruca Malen: Since 1999, Ruca Malen has worked to produce high-quality wines, and they focus on style and elegance. Come for the wine and tasting menu, and stay for the breathtaking views.
- Bodegas Salentein: Combining wine, art, cuisine, and pleasure, Bodegas Salentein sits in the Uco Valley. Located 4,000 ft. in elevation, the winery has such a unique terroir that carries over to beautiful wines. Try out their Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon blend.
- Bodega Tapiz: Ever wanted to ride a horse-drawn carriage around a vineyard? Well, you can do that here, and then you can try samples straight from fermentation barrels!
Salta
Salta is the wine region where you’ll find some of the highest vineyards in the world—some are about 5,500 feet above sea level! Though red wines are adored in Argentina, Salta has some absolutely exquisite full-bodied white wines.
The sub-regions of Salta are ones that you should definitely take some time to explore: Cafayate, San Carlos, and Cachi are all home to some of the highest wine sites in the world. If you get the chance to visit, don’t hesitate to make the trek to these wineries and vineyards. With such a high elevation, the flavor profiles of these wines are sure to contain specific characteristics you won’t want to miss.
Places to Visit:
- Bodega Colomé: For real, if you visit this region, you cannot miss this winery. It’s one of the oldest in the country, and it’s one of the highest vineyards in the world! Their unique and flavorful blends are one-of-a-kind.
- El Esteco: Specializing in premium wines, El Esteco offers some outstanding Torrontes, Malbecs, Tannats, Syrahs, and so much more. Stay in their hotel for top-notch comfort with wine nearby!
Rio Negro
People may only think of Patagonia when they see this wine region, but it’s good for more than adventure. Among that impressive scenery lies the Rio Negro valley, a newbie in the country’s wine world. Though it’s newer, the region already has a reputation for producing great varietals of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
As you can tell from this guide to Argentina’s top five wine regions, the country handles making its red wine quite well. Rio Negro is no exception. All that said, if you’re a red wine lover, Argentina is absolutely a country to visit—especially these wineries!
Wineries To Explore:
- Bodega Chacra: Located right in the heart of this wine region, Bodega Chacra produces what many consider one of the best Pinot Noirs in the country.
- Humberto Canale: The oldest winery in Rio Negro, Humberto Canale is the largest producer of wine in the region. They specialize in delectable Riesling, Semillon, Pinot Noir, and of course, Malbec.
So there you have it—your look at the wine regions in Argentina. The next time you plan a wine trip, don’t discount the terrific wines from South America. And when you’re just looking for some wines to try in the meantime, head to Wines ‘Til Sold Out, an online wine shop that has everything you’re looking for, from exquisite reds to beautiful bubbles. Peruse our site now!
Cordoba is northwest of Buenos Aires.
Born in Argentina. Have had the pleasure of visiting Cafayate in Salta and Mendoza. Great tourism and wine tasting. Highly recommend.