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Lujan de Cuyo Attractions
Luján de Cuyo is home to many, many bodegas. We've selected the most visitor-friendly and unique ones, to give you a taste of what is out there. Also worth considering are Alta Vista (tel. 261/496-4684; www.altavistawines.com); Terrazas de Los Andes (tel. 261/488-0058; www.terrazasdelosandes.com); Familia Belasco (tel. 261/524-7864; www.familiabelasco.com), which has a fun and interesting scent-discovery room; and Achaval Ferrer (tel. 261/498-4874; www.achaval-ferrer.com).
Other Attractions
It's not all about wine here in the Land of Malbec. There are also engineering and religious wonders, as well as the chance to explore the mountains around Luján.
The Cipolleti Dike, for instance, is a study of Mendoza's intricate system of aqueducts. Known as el dique Cipoletti in Spanish, it's in the Vistalba area of Luján. Built by Cesare Cipolletti in 1895, this dike or diversion dam regulates the flow of the Mendoza River and directs its water into various channels, some heading through the fertile vineyards and others forming the Guaymallén Channel, which moves water through the heart of downtown Mendoza and into all those lovely fountains. The Italian hydraulic engineer who organized the irrigation infrastructure here, as well as aqueducts in Florence and on the Tiber River, is a true Mendozan hero, buried nearby. In the near distance is a major oil refinery run by YPF. You'll likely see this dike if you take a standard 1-day tour of the Mendoza area with one of the operators listed. Wine tours also drive nearby and would take a detour if you requested it. You'll also pass nearby if you are on a tour of the Alta Montaña on your way to Potrerillos. If you're in possession of a rental car, this engineering marvel is worth a visit on its own. The dike is situated just south of the Mendoza River and west of the Panamerican Hwy. 40. Take RP Hwy. 87.
If you have a spare day and just want to relax, head to the bubbly Termas Cacheuta, RP 82, Km 38, Thermas de Cachueta (tel. 262/449-0152; www.termascacheuta.com), for some thermal soaking. There is a natural cave, hydro-massage therapy, and a beautiful garden. You can visit for the entire day and have a gourmet lunch for $35 (£24), including transfers from Mendoza. A cheaper option is to bring a picnic and enjoy the nine thermal pools only. With transfers, that runs you $9 (£6.10).
The Iglesia de la Virgen de Carrodilla, corner of San Martín and Carrodilla, Luján de Cuyo (tel. 261/435-1667), the home of the patron saint of Mendozan wine, is also worth a visit. This Virgen is displayed in a painting brought from Spain 1811 that shows Mary pushing a cart, with a child in one arm and grapes in the other. The Spaniard believer built a chapel close to his house to house the painting, which is now a popular historic monument. In 1938, she was consecrated the patron saint of vineyards. The adobe-walled church includes wonderful wine-themed murals. The church museum next door has an interesting collection of Catholic artwork. It's open Monday through Saturday from 9am to noon and 4:30 to 7:30pm. The Virgen de Carrodilla is venerated annually during the Vendimia Festival in March. Across the street is an empanada stand where you can grab a snack.
7 Results
- Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Bodega Catena Zapata
This strange Mayan temple is the showcase for one of Argentina's most respected and influential winemakers, Nicolás Catena. His journey from California to the top of the crop in Argentina is legendary, and he is usually credited for giving birth to the Malbec boom. The microclimate… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Bodega Ruca Malen
This is one of many French-owned bodegas in the Luján area. The state-of-the-art orange brick building is known for its outstanding four-course bodega lunches that highlight pairings from the winery's top two lines: Ruca Malen and Kinien. The guides are entertaining, and the… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
El Lagar Carmelo Patti
Patti is the real deal -- a winemaker who welcomes each visitor like a family member, while maintaining traditions that date back centuries. A bohemian artist and wine scholar, he'll offer you a tasting straight from the barrel, which is a rarity. Señor Patti's English isn't great,… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Finca Decero
A brand-new single-vineyard winery (they make all their wine from one single piece of land) that's making high-quality wines in their trademark "by hand" style, it's worth visiting Decero to see their modern and incredibly gentle basket press. They have a very good sit-down "tasting… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Luigi Bosca
The Arizu family, which owns one of the most prolific wineries in the country, has welcomed tourists for decades -- so many tourists, in fact, that buses line up outside to get in. Regardless, it's worth a stop to see inside a vast operation. Don't miss the champagne either. - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Tapiz
This winemaker is the creator of the label known as Zolo in North America. Your tour begins with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the property. After a chance to touch and feel the vines, head in for a taste of whatever wine they're featuring that day. All tours are private. The… - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Vistalba
Carlos Pulenta, the man behind Vistalba, is a star here for his dedication to quality and terroir. The winery is a vision of technological wonder, while the downstairs tasting room is stunning, with its natural wall.
