Wine and History: Mendoza to Cafayate
Trip Highlights
Shrine in La Rioja
Cuesta de Huaco, San Juan
Harvest time is February to April
Description
Take the long and winding road from Mendoza to Cafayate, visiting lesser known boutique wineries in San Juan, La Rioja, and Catamarca along the way.
This deep immersion into the wine and culture of Argentina is perfect for those who want to combine an exploration of the rich history of the region with some of its best off the beaten track wineries, while driving through some breathtaking scenery close to the Andes.
Our journey begins in the hub of Argentine wine production, Mendoza, taking the iconic Route 40 north through the emerging wine regions of La Rioja, Catamarca, and Tucuman.
Apart from some out of the way family wineries which can only be discovered with local knowledge, we also explore some of the most impressive pre-Hispanic historic sites in Argentina.
Click here to view map route.
Tour info
Why take this tour?
From Mendoza, we take the mountain road to Villavicencio, offering great views of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Andes at 6,965m, on the way to Uspallata, gateway to Chile across the Andes.
We follow the scenic route up into San Juan province, staying overnight at Barreal, a delightful refuge close to the mountains in the Calingasta valley. Here you can sample the province's trademark Shiraz and even a Pinot Grigio, before crossing into La Rioja with its spectacular desert scenery. Villa Union is an excellent base to add an extra day and visit the parks of Talampaya and Ischigualasto (Valle de la Luna): the only places in the world which exhibit geology from the whole of the Triassic period, between 248 and 206 million years ago.
To the west, is the spectacular Andean mountain scenery of Laguna Brava, so it’s always worth adding another extra day to the itinerary!
We continue north along Route 40 across the stunning Cuesta de Miranda mountain road to Chilecito, the historic centre of western Argentina’s mining region: and also home to a large scale wine co-operative, La Riojana, and the combined olive and wine operation of Valle la Puerta. North of here in the Famatina valley, Chañarmuyo winery is one of our favourite overnight stops, producing fine Tannat and an excellent sparkling Pinot Noir rose.
Now we’re really off the beaten track following the historic Ruta de Adobe in Catamarca, visiting some 18th century chapels and boutique vineyards in Tinogasta. En route to Belen, we will visit the keynote Inca ruins of Argentina of Shinkal, and the pre-Inca ruins of Quilmes, before arriving in Cafayate, Salta’s premier wine town, celebrated for producing the best white Torrontes in the country.
The five day trip finishes in Cafayate where, with our guide’s recommendations, you can sample the best large and small wineries under your own steam. Or continue your journey with us to Salta city via the Quebrada de las Conchas, or take the longer road through the northern Valles Calchaquies, visiting the high altitude wine resort of Colome.
Included
Bilingual tour guide
Private tailor-made tour
Vehicle and guide costs
Excluded
Food
Accommodation
Wine tasting fees
Things to know
Pricing
Headline price based on four people travelling together in one of our 4x4s with an English-speaking driver/guide.
Below are our DAILY rates PER PERSON excluding food and accommodation: valid to end 2024.
One person - US$350
Two people - US$200
Three people- US$150
Four people (one vehicle) - US$125
Four people (two vehicles) - US$200
Headline price based on four people travelling together in one of our 4x4s with an English-speaking driver/guide.
Below are our DAILY rates PER PERSON excluding food and accommodation: valid to end 2024.
One person - US$350
Two people - US$200
Three people- US$150
Four people (one vehicle) - US$125
Four people (two vehicles) - US$200
Accommodation & Food
Double rooms at the privately owned B&Bs and small hotels we work with start from US$50 per night. You can eat well in some of the simple rustic places we use where you will be rubbing shoulders with the locals for less than US$15 per person. And splashing out on a three-course meal with wine in ...
Double rooms at the privately owned B&Bs and small hotels we work with start from US$50 per night. You can eat well in some of the simple rustic places we use where you will be rubbing shoulders with the locals for less than US$15 per person. And splashing out on a three-course meal with wine in a smart restaurant, is unlikely to set you back more than US$40 per person.
Group Size
We operate with comfortable 4x4s which can accommodate up to four people, but if you’re travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate.
We operate with comfortable 4x4s which can accommodate up to four people, but if you’re travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate.
2 Reviews
Verified
Christopher Joyce
21st March 2024
Maria Teresa
15th August 2023
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Click here to view map route.
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This deep immersion into the wine and culture of Argentina is perfect for those who want to combine an exploration of the rich history of the region with some of its best off-the-beaten-track wineries, through some breathtaking scenery close to the Andes. Apart from Argentina’s classic red Malbec, we’ll be sampling lesser-known varieties like Tannat, and discovering the Argentine take on classics like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinot Grigio.
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Click here to view map route.
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