bressia-wines
Bressia Wines
Bressia Wines

Wine Harvest in Mendoza: 10 experiences to feel the magic of making wine

Several wineries offer harvest and grape stomping activities so visitors can experience the real harvest.

Romina Scatolón
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If there is something that makes Mendoza a unique destination, it is its unbreakable connection with wine. And when the harvest season arrives, the province transforms into a true spectacle of color, flavor, and tradition. For several months, wineries open their doors to tourists, inviting them to experience the harvest from within, allowing them to be part of the production process that brings new wine to life.

This time of year is not just about the National Harvest Festival 2025, which fills the Frank Romero Day Amphitheater with queens, dancers, and light shows; it is in the vineyards and wineries where the actual harvest takes place, that is, the gathering of the grapes that will become the next wine to taste.

bodega-nieto-senetiner
Bodega Nieto Senetiner

When is the Harvest in Mendoza?

During the last days of February and throughout March, the vineyards fill with harvesters searching for vines at their peak of maturity, which will be turned into wine.

During this period, many of Mendoza's wineries organize various activities to let visitors experience the excitement of picking grapes, pressing them, and even witnessing the fermentation process. They offer the chance to experience the thrill of making wine, tasting it, and taking part in an immersive and experimental tour that allows you to experience the harvest firsthand.

ruca-malen
Ruca Malen

1. Night harvest at Antigal Winery & Estates

Antigal, one of Mendoza's most emblematic wineries, offers the unique experience of harvesting at night. On March 6 and 7, visitors can manually pick grapes.

The activity begins at 7:00 PM with a welcome drink, followed by the night harvest in the organic vineyard, guided by agricultural engineer Matías Casagrande. Next, visitors will tour the winery to discover its history and processes, ending at Antigal, the winery's restaurant, where a regional barbecue dinner will be served paired with an exclusive vertical tasting of UNO Malbec.

Tip: The dress code for this activity is casual, as participants will be in the vineyard and picking grapes themselves. An apron and hat will be provided for comfort. Limited spots are available, so reservations are recommended.

Where: Antigal Winery & Estates, Maza s/n° and M. A. Saez, Rusell, Maipú. Reservations.

2. Grape harvest at Nieto Senetiner

Nieto Senetiner offers the Harvest Experience, where visitors can participate in grape picking during the season. A guided tour through the vineyards will teach about the cultivation process, grape varieties, and the secrets behind each harvest, as well as the winery's history and traditions.

While strolling through the vines, visitors will actively participate in picking the grapes that will later become wine. To close this experience, an exclusive tasting of various Nieto Senetiner labels, accompanied by cheeses and local products, will be offered.

Tip: Available every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during harvest season, at 10:00 AM.

Where: Nieto Senetiner, Guardia Vieja 2000, Luján de Cuyo. Reservations: 261-5392086.

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3. Grape stomping at La Vigilia Winery

To experience the harvest from the inside, La Vigilia Winery invites visitors to experience the most special time of the year – the transformation of the vine into wine. Visitors will tour the estate, learn about the different varietals, and harvest grapes. They will then enter the functioning winery and participate in traditional grape stomping.

The activity ends with a tasting of the winery’s wines to celebrate the fruit of the labor. Spots are limited, so reservations are recommended.

Tip: Rope, the winery's restaurant, offers stunning views and contemporary cuisine with Argentine flavors and reinterpretations of classic dishes, ensuring a memorable culinary journey.

Where: La Vigilia, The Vines entrance, RP 94 KM 11, Tunuyán.

4. Grape harvest at Bodega Santa Julia

"Come harvest" is the program offered by Bodega Santa Julia at their Casa del Visitante restaurant. Visitors can pick grapes by hand with the help of guides, who will explain the importance of the harvest and the use of tools in the terroir.

Also of interest: Mendoza, partying: what's coming at the Fiesta de la Cosecha 2025

This memorable experience begins with a coffee, followed by a tour of the vineyards, and concludes with an exquisite lunch at the winery. Guests can choose between a regional menu with grilled meats or a tasting paired with homemade wood-fired empanadas. This activity is available on Wednesdays and Fridays in February and March at 9:30 AM.

Tip: The empanadas are made by La Chacha, winner of the 2019 Best Empanada Argentina contest.

Where: Bodega Santa Julia, Ruta Provincial 33, Km 7.5, Maipú.

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5. The story of Ruca Malen Wines told in chapters

Through a tour, visitors will discover the vineyards and the philosophy of the place; they will then enter the "heart of the winery" to experience the harvest firsthand.

The activity is led by the team of winemakers, led by Agustina Hanna, one of Mendoza's most promising young winemakers, and concludes with a tasting of the three chapters of Ruca Malen’s portfolio, paired with a cheese board. This special harvest experience runs until mid-April, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2:30 PM.

Tip: Brindillas, the winery's restaurant, was recommended by the prestigious Michelin Guide in 2024, led by renowned Mendoza chef Mariano Gallego.

Where: Ruca Malen, RN 7, Km. 1059, Luján de Cuyo.

6. Wine tasting in process at Bressia Wines

Throughout March, Bressia Wines offers a harvest-inspired guided visit. Visitors will tour the winery, witness traditional grape stomping, and taste the different stages of wine production, from freshly pressed grape juice (must) to fermented wine, and finally, a barrel-aged wine.

Tip: At their gastronomic space, Estación del Alma, they offer the "Destino Vendimia" menu, which pays tribute to each productive oasis in the province, bringing typical products and dishes from the regions where Bressia wines are made.

Where: Bressia Wines, Cochabamba 7725, Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo.

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7. Immersive harvest experience at Vinorum - Altieri Family Winery

This boutique winery, located in a 1930s establishment, offers a unique journey into the past and present of Mendoza's winemaking industry. Their tours are immersive and tailor-made for each visitor. Experience fermentation in an ancient concrete tank via a projection that simulates full reality, and enjoy bike tours through the vineyards and manual harvest during the harvest season.

Additionally, visitors can take a trip back in time at their Wine Culture Museum, which houses over 3,000 pieces related to the wine industry.

Tip: The winery's underground cellar has an art gallery, displaying works by Mendoza’s visual artists, creating a powerful visual and emotional impact.

Where: Vinorum, Brandsen 1630, Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo.

8. Celalla Wines' burial and exhumation ceremony

Celalla Wines, named after the Latin word for "cellar," follows a unique wine storage process – their wines are buried under a meter of earth in Luján de Cuyo.

You might also be interested in: The best accommodations in wineries and vineyards in Mendoza.

On March 22, they will hold an ancestral ceremony called "In Terra," where they will exhume bottles from the 2024 harvest and bury the 2025 bottles to celebrate the new harvest. There will be traditional food and "curanto," a method of cooking food in an earth pit with hot stones, covered with vine leaves.

Tip: Juan Bautista Puelles, the winemaker behind the project, founded it with two friends, aiming to create a wine that captures the essence of Luján de Cuyo’s land.

Where: Celalla Wines, Hacienda del Plata Winery, San Martín 4871, Chacras de Coria

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9. Harvest experience at Finca La Malka

Enjoy an unforgettable day starting with grape picking at the estate, learning about the harvest process, and taking in the exceptional views of Mount Tupungato and the Andes Mountains. Here you have anothers impressive spots in Mendoza.

The experience continues with a traditional Argentine barbecue, side dishes, and La Malka's exclusive wines. Menus without gluten, vegetarian, and children’s options are available. This activity will take place from March 12 to 16 and is limited in capacity, so reservations are recommended.

The tip: Finca La Malka was created by Graciela Roiz and her five children. It invites you to take a break and experience nature up close through a self-guided tour featuring signs that explain the stages of the vine process, such as pruning, irrigation, and grape varieties.

Where: Finca La Malka, Pasaje de la Reta, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo.

10. Daytime harvest at Tempus Alba

Tempus Alba invites visitors to share a singular experience, where they will learn harvesting techniques, as well as the importance of vineyard care and water. After a visit to the winery, guests will receive a hat, apron, and harvest scissors, ready for the harvest class and hands-on practice.

The experience ends with a harvest toast and lunch with a wine tasting.

Tip: The grapes used in their wines come from their own vineyards and are harvested at dawn, taking the full energy and hope of the day.

Where: Tempus Alba, Perito Moreno 572, Coquimbito, Maipú.

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