A Regional Map of Argentinian Wines

Between La Pampa and Chubut, in an area crisscrossed by basins and the banks of the region’s main rivers, Patagonia's grapes are bathed in sunlight and a range of temperatures, producing refined, aromatic, balanced wines; principally Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Mendoza is the nation’s epicenter for vineyards and wine production, with 150,000 vine-covered hectares, and over 1,200 wineries across five regions. It is considered to be one of the eight wine capitals of the world.

Malbec found its niche in Mendoza. The province has more than 20% of the total planted area given over to this vine, although it is also suitable for other varieties such as Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo. 

The uniquely warm, dry region of San Juan makes it ideal for wine growing. As the country’s second largest wine growing province, it accounts for 17% of the country’s total planted area, producing fruity, unique wines that are full of character, with Syrah as the preferred grape.

The Andes mountain range runs from north to south and is a natural barrier against the humid winds that blow in from the Pacific. Mendoza’s meltwater, continental climate, and variety of soils have resulted in a 50-mile strip of land with numerous variations in terroir.

The perfumed, floral Torrontés grape is La Rioja’s original, flagship variant. The province has a long-standing tradition of showcasing its assets via its Torrontés Route. The route includes around twenty wineries dotted between fertile oases and arid mountain ranges.

Salta has some of the continent’s highest vineyards, with cultivated areas in a privileged position between 5,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level. The result is a sophisticated Torrontés—its main variety—and an expressive Malbec.

Luján de Cuyo and Maipú are home to Mendoza’s most traditional wineries, but the Uco Valley, with its diverse soils, boasts the vineyards with the greatest potential in Argentina. It produces high-quality, characterful wines with global appeal.

The town of Cafayate is 115 miles (186 km) from the city of Salta. 75% of its vineyards, and 60% of its total planted area, are concentrated in the Calchaquíes Valleys, producing lively wines with intense tannins, along a route that has 30 wineries and a vine museum.
 

In the northern provinces of Jujuy, Salta, and Catamarca, wine making takes place in the Andean valleys, between colonial villages and cactus-covered mountains. The punishing sun gives the grapes their expressiveness, with the color and intensity of the aromas in the reds becoming more concentrated.

With vineyards that are barely twenty years old, Neuquén is a relative newcomer to the industry. With intense, full-bodied reds with concentrated colors, and fresh, fruity, aromatic whites, this town is determined to make a lasting impression.

The sun, cold nights, winds, and aridity work their magic, giving character to the reds Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Merlot; conditions that also favor Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Neuquén’s tantalizing whites include Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontés, and Chardonnay.

Mendoza was also a pioneer in the development of enotourism, or wine tourism, recognizing the demand for experience-based tourism in the global travel market. 

A meandering route of ancient vineyards sits along the apple-growing region of the Alto Valle (High Valley) of the Río Negro (Black River). They include the legendary wineries of Humberto Canale and La Falda, which are experiencing something of a revival. Their slow ripening gives the wines a natural acidity, making them one of the province’s greatest assets.

The rural climate is ideal for healthy vineyards, which, in return, produce excellent whites from their Sauvignon Blanc and Semillón grapes, as well as the recently revived Riesling. The best reds produced include Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.
 

The arrival of Chubut on the map has extended the boundaries of wine production, resulting in the continent’s southernmost wines which include Trevelin, Sarmiento, and Paso del Sapo. The harsh winds and cold of the steppe result in fresh wines, made mainly with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Chubut experiences extreme cold, harsh winds and frosts throughout the season, making it ideal for wines that are fresh and tangy, with fruity notes. 

La Pampa sits in the center of several other regions. Although part of Patagonia, its landscape has a unique appearance. Its rolling plains are home to abundant wine-producing areas in the Colorado River basin, including Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay.

In late 2014, the winery Trapiche arrived in Chapadmalal to set up the Costa & Pampa project. Their search for an Atlantic terroir has yielded fresh, delicate whites, in particular Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir.  

With its centuries-old history, San Luis experienced a revival in 2000, having industrialized its vineyards as part of the search for a local terroir. Its 120 hectares of vineyards have yielded incredible results in Merlot, Tannat, Bonarda, and Petit Verdot.

Four hundred years have passed since the Jesuits planted the first seeds in Cordoba, and the city now has a wine route covering five richly varied regions. They form part of the mountainous route that the city shares with San Luis, with an abundance of micro-climates and micro-terroirs.

Around 245 of the country’s wineries pair wine tasting with gourmet food, offering tours of all stages of production. In 2019, they received 1,700,000 visitors.