Mendoza has more than 1,200 wineries. Around 200 receive visitors. Of those, only a handful operate at the level of curation and craft that the world's most demanding palates expect. This is our concierge's shortlist.

This isn't a ranking. It's the list of wineries we send our most demanding travellers to — exceptional wines, intimate experiences and access that's impossible to arrange online on your own.

Catena Zapata (Luján de Cuyo)

The Mayan pyramid winery. Catena is the most internationally recognised name in Argentine wine, founded by an Italian-Argentine family three generations ago. Its Argentino Malbec appears on every great wine list in the world. The architecture is iconic; the tastings are technical and precise. Ideal for: serious collectors and a first trip to the icon.

Zuccardi Valle de Uco (Uco Valley)

Named World's Best Vineyard three times. Brutalist architecture in concrete and stone, designed by the family's third generation, with Andes views that stop the conversation. Its high-altitude Malbecs and the Concreto range redefined what the Uco Valley can produce. Ideal for: architecture lovers, photographers and travellers who collect "best in world" experiences.

Susana Balbo Wines (Luján de Cuyo)

Susana Balbo is Argentina's first female winemaker and a pioneer of Torrontés. Her boutique winery in Agrelo combines feminine elegance with one of the most respected restaurants in Mendoza, Osadía de Crear. Ideal for: travellers who want to taste history, boutique experiences led by women and refined food.

Casa Vigil (Maipú)

The most theatrical winery in Mendoza. Alejandro Vigil — for years head winemaker at Catena Zapata — built his own boutique estate as a tribute to literature, art and Mendoza traditions. Cellars carved into the hillsides and a restaurant decorated like a literary salon. Ideal for: travellers after emotion, art lovers and foodies.

Salentein (Uco Valley)

Salentein's cathedral winery, with its underground barrel room laid out as a cross, is among the most photographed in Argentina. The wines are consistent and elegant; the contemporary art gallery on site adds depth. Ideal for: cultural travellers and photographers.

Andeluna Cellars (Uco Valley)

Smaller, less famous, exceptional. Andeluna sits at 1,300 metres with intimate tastings led by its winemakers. Its Pasionado Cabernet Franc is one of the most awarded Argentine reds of recent years. Ideal for: wine lovers who want depth over fame.

Norton (Luján de Cuyo)

Founded in 1895 by an English railway engineer. Norton combines historic stone cellars with contemporary winemaking and a beautiful main house overlooking the vineyards. Its gourmet lunches at La Vid are consistently excellent. Ideal for: families and traditionalists.

Domaine Bousquet (Uco Valley)

French heritage at altitude. The Bousquet family came from Carcassonne and built one of Argentina's leading organic and biodynamic wineries. The wines are precise and ethical. Ideal for: anyone interested in organic and biodynamic wine, and in French lineage in Argentina.

Trapiche (Maipú)

The most awarded winery in Argentine history (more than 5,000 international medals). The historic cellars in Maipú are a masterpiece of stone and wood, with one of the most beautiful tasting rooms in Mendoza. Ideal for: travellers after prestige and historical depth.

Pulenta Estate (Luján de Cuyo)

A boutique family estate with one of the most refined tasting experiences in Mendoza. Small production, exceptional Cabernet Franc. Ideal for: demanding palates looking for the opposite of mass tourism.

The hidden ones

Beyond this list there are wineries we send our travellers to that we don't list publicly — boutique estates that work by reservation only, where the winemaker pours the tasting in person and the wines never leave the cellar. Getting into those is what private wine travel really means.

Would you like us to build your tour around the wineries that suit your taste? Our concierge curates every itinerary individually. Discover our private tours.

More questions? Take a look at our FAQ with 25 common questions about tours, pricing, logistics and the High Mountain excursion.