Mendoza in 2 days
Day one at the end of the tram line and on a bike until six, day two 130 kilometres south, with a lunch that has to be booked.
- How long
- 2: Maipú without a car
- To Maipú
- The tram to Gutiérrez station
- Bike
- From €8–11.50 a day
Two days in Mendoza are held in place by two clocks: bikes in Maipú go out until 2.30 and come back by 6, and lunch at Zuccardi, 130 kilometres south, is served from 12.30 to 2. So day one starts with the tour at López, beside the last tram stop, and day two leaves early and comes back by way of Salentein.
Maipú: tram, López, bike
The Metrotranvía from the centre to Gutiérrez station, the last on the line, in Maipú.
Bodegas López, four blocks from the station: a family house since 1898, the classic hour-long tour with a tasting, in Spanish, English or Portuguese. It runs every day, but only with a booking.
Lunch at the López restaurant, open Wednesday to Sunday at midday.
An Uber or a taxi to Urquiza street in Coquimbito, where the hire shops are. A bike is €8–11.50, with a helmet and a map; the last one goes out at 2.30.
La Rural, a winery since 1885 with a wine museum. Sources give the museum's hours differently, so ask when you book.
Trapiche, booking only; on the way, Entre Olivos, olive oil and liqueurs instead of one more glass.
The bike back before 6, then a taxi or the tram into town.
The Uco valley with a driver
Leave heading south on Ruta 40. Uco begins 90 kilometres from town, around Tupungato; Paraje Altamira, in San Carlos at the southern end, is about 130.
Zuccardi Valle de Uco, Paraje Altamira: the vineyard World's Best Vineyards named the best in the world four years running, 2019 to 2022.
Lunch at Piedra Infinita Cocina: four to nine courses with wine, €156–346 per person. The kitchen seats only from 12.30 to 2, and only with a booking.
Heading back north, Salentein at Los Árboles in Tunuyán: the Spanish tour at 3.30 (the English one only at 11.30), the Killka gallery. The estate closes at 5.
Back to Mendoza.
What breaks this plan
- A bike after 2.30. Reach Urquiza late after lunch and there is no bike left to hire; that is why López goes in the morning, not at the end of the day.
- Paying Salentein on the day. Services are paid 24 hours ahead, and a later cancellation costs half.
- Uco without a booking. At Zuccardi every programme, lunch included, is by appointment only; turn up without one and you have driven 130 kilometres to a closed gate.
- Your own car. Mendoza has not adopted the national zero-tolerance law, but after a tasting and a lunch with wine even 0.5 g/l is not something you can judge by feel. On national roads, and Ruta 40 is one, sources disagree on whether zero applies.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Which days suit Maipú?
Wednesday to Sunday, when the López restaurant is open. Their tour runs every day, so on Monday and Tuesday Maipú works without lunch at that stop.
How much is lunch in the Uco valley?
At Piedra Infinita Cocina, Zuccardi's restaurant, four to nine courses with wine cost €156–346 per person. Book ahead; the kitchen seats from 12.30 to 2.
What is the drink-drive limit in Mendoza?
On provincial roads 0.5 g/l, because Mendoza has not adopted the national zero-tolerance law. Whether zero applies on the national roads through the province, sources disagree.
Ready for Mendoza?
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