argentina
ESSENTIALS
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When to go: Spring( September to November) is a great time to see vines wake up from the cold winter and start to flower. Late summer and fall( late February to April) is when bodegas bring in grapes from all over the province to begin the fermentation process; the annual Fiesta de la Vendimia( National Grape Harvest Festival) takes place in March. Expect snowfall in winter( late June to late August). Currency: Argentine pesos Language: Spanish Getting around: Rent a car or book a guided tour to visit a selection of Mendoza’ s 200 bodegas.
BOOK IT NOW
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Immerse yourself in Argentine culture with a 14-night Patagonia & Argentina sailing with Celebrity Cruises. Select a Retreat suite for exclusive access to Luminae restaurant and its adventurous tasting menu crafted by acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud. Book with our agency and get a US $ 100 shipboard credit per stateroom. Departs Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 6, 2025.
Chef at Espacio Trapiche restaurant preparing a meal
CALL US
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Contact our travel agency to book your trip.
THE TIME FOR FINE WINE
The growth that’ s culminated in the recognition from Michelin would never have been possible if Mendoza produced mediocre wine. Catena Zapata’ s enology director Alejandro Vigil— known as the Lionel Messi of Malbec for racking up various 100-point wines— attributes today’ s high quality to several factors that have gradually come together over the past 30 years.
“ Entrepreneurs started investing in quality, flying oenologists in from all over the world to get to know Argentina and bring their techniques to the table,” he says.“ Then there was brand development, with companies competing on a global scale.
“ New vineyards started being planted in elevated areas such as the Uco Valley as winemakers searched for cooler climates. These are some of the things that have led to a paradigm shift in the search for quality.”
Zuccardi, Catena Zapata, Per Se and Aleanna are some of Argentina’ s bodegas to have been awarded wine’ s highest possible accolade: those elusive 100 points. Now, Mendoza will continue to remain one of the world’ s most exciting wine regions— for its world-class vintages, endearing hospitality and stunning Andean panoramas. images: Fernando Forni. Illustration: lis watkins
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