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[title]Intense green, majestic mountains, arid areas, reservoirs, and crystal-clear rivers: Mendoza's landscapes have it all. A province that naturally combines colors, climates, and microclimates. And it’s this diversity, among many other factors, that has made Mendoza "the province of Malbec." This is how Camila Torta, head sommelier at Azafrán Resto, who won her Michelin star again at the last Gala, explains it.
Every April 17th, since 2011, Malbec Day has been celebrated. This date commemorates the start of a key winemaking project for the country. It marked the beginning of the diverse Malbec expressions in Mendoza, which, though of French origin, has been embraced as Argentina’s signature grape.
That milestone was the project for the creation of Quinta Normal and the School of Agriculture in Mendoza. Its goal was to improve winemaking production and marked the beginning of the development of Argentina’s wine industry.
Today, leaving Mendoza without a bottle of Malbec—or without having experienced something related to this grape—is almost like not having been there. That's why, on this itinerary, we’ve selected the best experiences to enjoy Malbec wine: whether you’re traveling for business and staying within the city, or looking for a quick getaway with quality.
Replacing "all-inclusive" with "wine-inclusive"
The first step when planning a trip is: where to stay in Mendoza? For those seeking luxury with a local touch that connects to something as characteristic of the destination as wine, the must-stop in the city is the Hualta Winery Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton. Why? It offers a unique feature no other hotel in Mendoza has: a wine-inclusive experience. This means that wine is included in the hotel rate and available at all times within the hotel.
"Hualta Winery Hotel offers a wine-inclusive service, included in the rate"
After a day of meetings, relaxing by the pool or in the room, any time is the right time for a glass of Malbec from Huentala Wines, waiting for you to enjoy.
The system is simple: whether in your room or at the restaurant, there’s always a glass available upon request. Just use your room card, head to the lobby, and pass by a stand with various options from the Gran Sombrero label: Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and of course, the flagship grape, Malbec.
"Just with the room card, you can head to the lobby and pass by a stand with different options from the Gran Sombrero label"
Luxury Lunch at Azafrán
For those seeking a luxurious dining experience with a Mendoza identity, Azafrán Restó offers a proposal combining technique, product, and territory. Under the direction of chef Sebastián Weigandt, the restaurant invites you to discover "El Paseo por Mendoza," a six-course menu exploring local flavors such as tomato, mushrooms, goat, and beef, with a sweet closing.
Also of interest: In-depth with Sebastián Weigandt, chef of the Mendoza restaurant Azafrán
Each dish is paired with wines selected by sommelier Camila Torta, in a pairing that highlights Mendoza labels, and of course, the star of the show: Malbec.
Afternoon Winery Tour and New Wine Trends
After lunch, there's nothing better than a walk and a visit to a winery. But if your trip is short, or you’re in Mendoza for work, dedicating an entire afternoon to touring Valle de Uco or Luján de Cuyo may not be feasible.
In these cases, the Hualta Hotel—our recommendation in the city—offers a unique proposal: it’s the first urban winery hotel in Latin America. While there are several winery hotels in Mendoza, none are located in the city center, which makes this experience ideal for quick getaways or business stays without sacrificing luxury or connection to wine.
Every day, guests can enjoy guided tours of the winery, where Malbec is exclusively produced. This approach responds to a growing trend: exploring the richness of a single grape variety through different micro-plots and winemaking techniques.
For the 2024 vintage, Atilio Ortega, the winery’s winemaker, explains that it focuses on various expressions of Malbec through different aging systems: cement, wood, and Italian clay amphorae.
Small Plates on the Sidewalk for Vermouth Time
If you have free time for an afternoon or early evening drink, La Central Vermutería, located just steps from the hotel, is an excellent choice. There, Malbec appears in new forms, paired with a menu perfect for sharing.
Also of interest: 9 Mendoza Restaurants with Small Plates for Snacking
The venue welcomes groups of friends, invites lingering conversation, and creates a warm, relaxed atmosphere. The small plates—always in season—are made with fresh products and excellent raw materials. The proposal is simple, flavorful, and thoughtfully crafted: a space to stay, enjoy, toast, and celebrate with good food.
Resting Like Wine: A Night at Hualta
After an intense day—whether from a corporate trip full of meetings, or from memorable tours and dinners—rest can also be part of the experience. At Hualta, rest is experienced like wine: with time, care, and purpose.
This Curio by Hilton hotel, located in the heart of Mendoza, is entirely inspired by the winemaking process. Just as Buenos Aires' Palacio Barolo pays homage to The Divine Comedy, Hualta traces the history of wine through its architecture. But not through fiction—rather, through living matter.
The journey starts in the second basement, evoking the terroir. The first basement houses the winery. Upstairs, the rooms are designed as the resting place for wine during its aging, with materials present in the winemaking process, such as wood, leather, and steel in the bathroom. Finally, the rooftop represents the final moment: the uncorking and celebration. A complete experience that transforms the stay into a tribute to the wine culture.
Where: Primitivo de la Reta 1015, Mendoza. How to book: 0261 348-0100.