This guide is for you if the Uco Valley is on your list and you are deciding whether to see it in a day from Mendoza or stay longer. It covers what the valley is, when to come, how the nine hours are split and what you need to reserve early.
What the Uco Valley is
The valley lies south of Mendoza along National Route 40, at about 80 kilometres from the city. It takes in three towns, Tupungato, Tunuyán and San Carlos, and sits between 900 and 1,700 metres above sea level. Cerro Tupungato stands over it.
The climate is dry, with little rain and a wide gap between day and night temperatures. The national tourism board lists Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc among its grapes, and describes it as the area of mountain landscapes and boutique wineries. Expect fields of vines broken by lines of poplars, with the snow on the Andes along the western side.
When to go
Summer in Mendoza runs from December to March, with days of about 33°C in the city, nights near 18°C and very little rain. The valley is higher than the city and cooler in the evening, so the afternoon at the second winery can feel quite different from the morning.
February and March are harvest time, when the province holds the Vendimia festival; check this year's dates. If your trip falls then, book earlier still.
How the long day is split
You leave at 07:00, and the drive south takes about an hour and a half. By around 08:45 you are among the vineyards, with time to stop by the road before the first bodega at 10:00.
The order is different from our Luján de Cuyo day: lunch comes between the two wineries, not after them. A tour and tasting in the morning, a long lunch at a winery from 12:00 facing the vines and the mountains, and a second bodega at 13:30. You head north at about 14:30 and are back at your hotel at around 16:00.
The valley is large, so we choose wineries close to each other. That keeps the time between stops short and leaves the longest drive for the start and end of the day.
Because the vehicle is yours, the order can change on the day. You might prefer a longer lunch and one winery, or a quicker lunch and a stop for photographs among the vines on the way north. Tell your driver in the morning.
A day trip, or a night in the valley
The national tourism board suggests two to five days in the valley, and recommends renting a car or staying in the area. On the distances involved, it is impractical by bike or by ordinary public transport.
So you have three ways to do it:
- Drive yourself. You get freedom, but someone in your group cannot drink at the tastings or at lunch.
- Stay over. Best if you want several days of wineries. We can drop you at a winery hotel and collect you another day; message us for a price.
- A private day from Mendoza. Two wineries and lunch, nobody behind the wheel after lunch, and back in the city by late afternoon. The price depends on the size of your group; see it on the tour page.
What to book and bring
Uco Valley wineries take visitors by reservation only, and the lunches fill up. This is the day to book furthest ahead. Tell us your wineries when you book, or ask for suggestions, and we help you reserve.
- A warm layer, even in summer, for the evening cool.
- Sun cream, sunglasses and a hat for the vineyard walks.
- Comfortable shoes for the rows and the cellars.
- A card or local cash for the visits, tastings and lunch, which are not included.
Who it suits, and who should think twice
It suits travellers who have already seen one wine district, or who want the mountains and the vines in one view, and groups where everyone wants to taste. It works well as a second wine day after Luján de Cuyo or Maipú.
Think twice in these cases:
- You only have one wine day and want more time at the wineries. The Luján de Cuyo day starts twenty minutes from the city.
- Someone in your group dislikes long drives. About three hours of the day are on the road. The Maipú half day stays close to the centre.
- You booked late in harvest season. Check winery availability with us before you pay.
- You are more than 16. Two vehicles travel together on one booking. Message us and we will price it.
Questions people ask
Is one day enough?
For two wineries and lunch, yes. For more, a night or two in the valley is the better plan.
Uco or Luján de Cuyo?
Uco is higher, further away and a longer day. Luján de Cuyo puts more of the day at the wineries. Our guide to day trips from Mendoza sets them side by side.
Can we cancel?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before pick-up and you are refunded in full. See our cancellation page.
Booking the day
Book the wineries and lunch first, then the date, and pack a warm layer. The timings and inclusions are on the Uco Valley private wine day page, where you choose the size of your group and book.
