Mendoza Province is one of the driest places on earth. The mammoth Andes mountain range catches any cloud blowing in from the pacific, meaning there is very little rain.

Yet Mendoza produces 70% of Argentine wine and Argentina is the fifth biggest producer in the world. Mendoza’s capital is a garden city of tree-lined streets and sculpted parks. Every leafy town in the province is surrounded by hundreds of vineyards and farms producing everything from olives to peaches.

How? Those same mountains that stop the rainfall catch the snow. The snow melts on the peaks (including Mt. Aconcagua, the tallest mountain outside the Himalayas) and is carried through a complex system of rivers, dykes and dams. This miracle of water supports people and industry. Mendoza city has grown into a green oasis of calm amidst a hot and sweltering desert.

The Wine
Fiery, red Malbec and fresh, golden Torrontes, to mention just a few. Argentine wine is fast becoming the new sensation. Yet that doesn’t mean to say it has just arrived. Argentines have been drinking their own wine for years, and plenty of it.

Wineries (known as bodegas) have existed here since colonial times and many are rich in history and heritage. Straddling the snow-capped Andes, Mendoza’s wineries are set in some of the most spectacular scenery in South America, indeed the world. Argentine wine exports are increasing exponentially. Prestigious companies such as Salentein and the Lurton Brothers have invested heavily and there is a zealous drive to improve and perfect the wines. Already winning international prizes, Argentina is hot on the heels of nearby Chile when it comes to worldwide recognition. Mendoza is being compared to how California’s Napa valley was in the 80s – unknown but very promising. The future looks bright indeed. Now is the time to visit this pristine and unexplored wine region.

 

Wine Harvest Festival
Cultural events such as the annual Wine Harvest Fesitval have been celebrated in some way since the mid 18th century. Now it is a national event that attracts thousands of people onto the streets of Mendoza. It is a week of carnival, parades, spectacular live shows, fireworks and of course wine.

 

The Land
Many things are needed to make a good wine and Mendoza seems to have all of them. The soil and lie of the land are perfect. The altitude and favorable night and daytime temperatures guarantee a healthy fruit. Constant sunlight and little wind are other important factors, as well as mineral rich water from the mountains.
Read more about Mendozas wine regions