The Uco Valley, as its name suggests, is a valley located south of the city of Mendoza. It covers an area of 17,370 km² and is part of the departments of Tupungato, Tunuyán, and San Carlos.
The imposing Andes mountain range serves as a backdrop, one of the province’s fertile areas where vineyards produce the grapes for Mendoza’s renowned wines. Aside from that, this is an area we travelers don’t want to miss due to its scenic beauty.
The Uco Valley is primarily known for its Malbec wine production, which accounts for more than 50% of the region’s production.
This area can be visited on a Uco Valley Tour from the city of Mendoza.
If we go further back in history, these lands tell us that they were habitat and a place of passage for different native peoples, and that in the 17th century the Jesuits settled there, beginning their evangelization.
General San Martín’s presence in the area marks a milestone, and a monument commemorates him in the historic Apple Tree in Tunuyán.
In recent years, the significant offering of services and hotels, along with learning more about its wines and enjoying its landscapes, has made tourists want to explore this famous Uco Valley.
Presented in broad strokes, we now detail our departure.
Indice:
Tour of the Uco Valley
We left the city of Mendoza in the morning, taking national routes until we took the emblematic Route 40 that crosses the country. Our journey continued along this path for just over 100 kilometers, dotted with wineries, restaurants, and vineyards, so we wouldn’t even notice that time was passing, and boy, was it passing quickly.
Our destination was to stay at Gaia Lodge at the Domaine Bousquet Winery in the Tupungato department.
To do this tour, I would recommend two things: the first would be to add an extra day so you can make reservations at another winery to visit besides the one at your destination. The second would be to make reservations early and not go without them.
The route with the Andes on one side makes it hypnotic.
Tunuyán, San Carlos, Zuccardi Winery.
Thus we arrived in Tunuyán, the beauty of the natural, the simplicity makes this route not to be missed.
The road to San Carlos made us stop several times, we never ceased to marvel.
Several well-known wineries are appearing before our eyes, such as Bodega Zuccardi, which makes choosing from the moment you plan your getaway essential, because there are so many options, all of them renowned and beautiful.
Since we didn’t have a reservation, we couldn’t visit the winery, but I’ll leave it here because it’s another option you might like. We moved on to another one.
For those in Mendoza without a car, or for those who want a more relaxed experience, there are excursions that depart from the city to this valley, usually allowing you to visit one of the wineries or enjoy lunch at one. I think it’s a good plan.
Renting a car in Mendoza is also an option. I’ll describe where we usually rent it. A car will give us the freedom to enjoy these landscapes and choose one of the wineries to visit.
The tour can also be done by renting a car in the city of Mendoza.
Vista Flores, Pérgolas.
Some giant bottles made us stop along the way; they were very picturesque and caught our attention, pointing us to a series of restaurants and wine bars.
It was time for a gastronomic stop and a rest, so well on our way, we were in Vista Flores.
It is the theme center of Pérgolas de Vista Flores in Tunuyán at the intersection of routes 92 and 94.
Some good empanadas with different flavors were the option, with wine for those of us who were not driving, and as it had already been in the city of Mendoza and would continue to be throughout Argentina, the gastronomy and wines never disappoint, but quite the opposite.
The place offers relaxation and entertainment options, but it was time to move on and head toward our destination.
We would first pass by a winery.
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Giménez Riili Winery
The road continued to offer beauty, we arrived at the Gimenez Rilli Winery.
The arrival already anticipates something special. Between dirt roads and breathtaking views, the winery opens up like an invitation to slow down, to reconnect with the land and your senses.
Founded by a family passionate about wine, Giménez Riili combines tradition, innovation, and Mendoza hospitality.
The story begins with a family dream. For generations, the Giménez Riilis have cultivated their love of wine, and today that legacy lives on in every glass.
The philosophy is clear: wines with identity, with a strong emotional connection with those who drink them. Each label tells a story, and each story has a protagonist: the visitor.
It offers guided tours of the winery and tastings, but if you thought the experience ended there… you’d be wrong, because the winery’s restaurant is tempting.
And if you want to stay? You can, too. The winery offers boutique accommodations for those looking to extend the experience. Ideal for disconnecting from the hustle and bustle, watching the sunset with a glass in hand, and sleeping with the wind whispering through the vines.
So if what you’re seeing tempts you, remember to book the experience you want.
But we continued our journey because it was another choice we made.
Along the route, several wineries are displayed that you can choose to visit, such as Trapiche or Salentein.
Domaine Bousquet Winery, Gaia Lodge, Uco Valley
We continued our journey and were almost at our destination. Our last stop was a winery that combined the best of both worlds: the French spirit and the Argentine soil.
We’re at Domaine Bousquet, a pioneering winery in organic viticulture, located in the beautiful Uco Valley, more than 1,200 meters above sea level.
Ready to enjoy excellent cuisine and taste the wines?
The story of Domaine Bousquet begins far from here: in the south of France. Jean Bousquet, a fourth-generation winemaker, left his homeland in search of something more. And he found it in these Mendoza lands, where he saw the potential for sustainable high-altitude viticulture.
Since then, the winery has grown with a clear mission: to produce high-quality organic wines, respecting nature and taking care of every detail of the process.
From the moment you arrive, you’re struck by a sense of tranquility that’s hard to describe. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is friendly, and the scenery… simply perfect.
Our experience at Domaine Bousquet Winery was much more than a visit: it was a complete immersion in the flavors, landscapes, and tranquility of Mendoza. We stayed in the charming Gaia Lodge, a space designed for relaxation and enjoyment of the natural surroundings, with open views of the vineyards and the majestic Andes mountain range.
The bikes are there as if inviting us to take a ride, …and why not?
From the sunrise between rows of vines to the completely silent nights, everything invited you to slow down and connect with the place.
Gaia Lodge Restaurant in Uco Valley
But if there was one moment that sealed this experience, it was the four-course wine-paired dinner at the Gaia Lodge restaurant. Each course was a small work of art, designed to highlight the best of its organic wines. From a fresh and aromatic starter to a sweet and unforgettable finish, the menu was a celebration of local cuisine with a gourmet touch. The carefully chosen pairings enhanced each bite and allowed the flavors to unfold in unique ways.
In the morning, the enjoyment was repeated again. Watching the sunrise with the Andes mountain range from our room was wonderful, and it gave us a glimpse of what we would experience in the following days.
Breakfast awaited us in the dining room where the views looked perfect with the sun.
In the Uco Valley, there are many exclusive accommodation options in wineries, but they aren’t cheap experiences. This was a very good value option we found.
Domaine Bousquet also has a restaurant that offers wonderful views and can be a great option for lunch even if you are not staying there.
After breakfast, we took a guided tour of the winery. They offer tours with or without tasting, as well as several options such as horseback riding or cooking experiences. We had the tour included because we had dinner here.
But… it was time to leave, even though, as I said, you would have spent at least one more night.
Now we continue our route to Tupungato to continue towards the high mountains in the Andes Mountains.
NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience and is completely objective. This article contains affiliate links.
