Private tours, luxury stays and incredible experiences in the country’s wine region: Argentina

Spanish settlers brought the first vines to Argentina in the 16th century, and the country now produces more wine than anywhere else in South America.

With high summits and plains, dense rain forests, arid deserts and creeping glaciers, the country owns practically every type of landscape imaginable, although most Argentina wine regions are settled in broad valleys or sloping plains that create ideal conditions for viniculture.

Most wine is produced in the foothills of the Andes mountains, where rocky vineyards scattered across a desert landscape are irrigated by meltwater from the snowy peaks and high altitudes give rise to aromatic, intensely flavoured red wines.

Originally brought over from France, Malbec has flourished in Argentinian wine regions and remains the country’s most renowned export – although Cabernet Sauvignon also grows well in high and dry climates, Torrontes is being recognised as an exceptional white wine, and southern regions are beginning to produce some highly-acclaimed Pinot Noir varieties.

At Wine Paths, our local experts can design exclusive private tours of Argentina wine regions, including elaborate tastings, luxury accommodation and unique experiences that can be tailor-made to meet your exact needs.

The wine regions of Argentina tend to congregate along the western edge of the country bordering Chile. The most famous is undoubtedly Mendoza, where vineyards reaching heights of 1,500 metres above sea level produce almost three quarter of the country’s wine.

In this Argentina wine region, the ubiquitous Malbec still reigns supreme – arguably producing the country’s finest wines denoted by intense colours, floral notes and dark fruit flavours. However, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Tempranillo and Bonardo are also successfully grown in Mendoza.

One of the unique experiences we offer in Mendoza, is the opportunity to star-gaze from vineyards high in the mountains – enjoying wine and food tastings under the light of the moon as an astronomer points out constellations.

San Juan, the second largest wine region of Argentina, began life producing low grade pink grapes that are sold in cardboard cartons throughout the country, but has since reimagined itself as one of the country’s most exclusive areas.

The Tullum and Pedernal Valleys, in particular, have been seriously developed by investors to create high quality yields that are dominated by Syrah (Shiraz) and to lesser extent Malbec varieties, which have been taking the international stage by storm.

Further north are the Argentinian wine regions of Salta and Catamarca, where vineyards scale record heights – the Bodega Colome in Molinos watches over the world from 3,000 metres above sea level.

Salta, and in particular Cafayate, is where Argentina’s signature Torrontes – the only white grape unique to Argentina – is largely grown. The aromatic, floral white wine offers unrivalled refreshment under the dry, baking sun.

You can explore some of the world’s highest vineyards as part of our exclusive tour of Cafayate, which can be accompanied by a bespoke local cuisine experience including asado, empanades and tamales.

La Rioja was one of the first Argentina wine regions established and is usually associated with producing quality above quantity, although fine wines can be found in the Fatima Valley – where new technologies have taken Torrontes production to a different level.

The southernmost vineyards in the world settle in the Argentina wine region of Patagonia, which is closer to the Atlantic Ocean than they are to the Andes Mountains. The cooler climate here produces wines with a distinctive European style, including some exemplary Pinot Noir varieties.

If you're interested in one of our Argentina Wine Tours, please visit this link.

winery tours argentina - Wine Paths

Wine experiences around the world

Discover other wine regions

Why book with Wine Paths?