Few winter destinations compare to Mendoza. Temperatures range from freezing nights to spring-like days, with abundant sunshine—ideal for biking along the province’s rural roads. While the vines rest, wineries and restaurants welcome both tourists and locals, all mesmerized by the snow-capped Andes, whose snowfall ensures pure water for the year ahead. Winter in Mendoza offers a high season that stretches from ski resorts in Las Leñas to cozy, firelit experiences in the city—a well-deserved break in every sense.
1. In Downtown Mendoza, a Tribute to Immigrant Cuisines
In the heart of Mendoza's capital, Anna Bistró welcomes guests from breakfast until late at night. The tree-lined patio glows with twinkling lights, while the interior is cozy and inviting, featuring exposed brick walls, colorful chairs, fresh blooms, and wide windows. Chef Alejandro Galliski draws on the legacy of immigrant cooking traditions, combining Mediterranean flavors with local ingredients. This time of year, sorrentinos—Argentina’s signature stuffed pasta—filled with ossobuco are a perfect choice, as are the pappardelle with mushrooms and the braised pork shoulder. With the country in the midst of black truffle harvest season, dishes like ribeye with truffle sauce or tagliatelle topped with truffle shavings are must-tries.
2. Argentine Flavors Meet the French Kitchen
Along the iconic Route 40, Alta Vista Winery is home to Assemblage, a restaurant that lives up to its wine-inspired name by blending two culinary traditions into one: French, reflecting the heritage of the winery’s owners, and Argentine, in tribute to the surrounding terroir. This duality comes to life in two dining areas—one traditional, set within the winery’s historic structure, and the other modern, with expansive windows overlooking the garden—as well as in two cooking styles, combining classic dishes with the energy of a lively grill. Among the seven courses on the tasting menu, diners might find Trout Tartare with fresh grapefruit, blue cheese mousse, and sweet potato crisp, alongside Grilled Filet Mignon Heart with maître d’hôtel sauce and potato mille-feuille—all thoughtfully paired with the winery’s distinguished wines.
3. Multiple Winemaking Regions, One Spirit
Food lovers should head to Coquimbito in Maipú to discover the renewed restaurant at the century-old Trapiche Winery, a cornerstone of Argentina’s wine legacy. Recommended by the MICHELIN Guide, Espacio Trapiche is led by chefs Sebastián Weigandt—a MICHELIN Star recipient for his restaurant Azafrán—and Germán Sanucci. Together, they craft menus designed to complement the wines of Trapiche’s first winemaker, Sergio Casé.
“We offer three distinct menus,” explains Sebastián. “Terroir features an appetizer, main course, and dessert that highlight Trapiche’s vineyard locations: Mendoza, Chapadmalal on the Atlantic Coast, and Neuquén in Patagonia. Temporal explores Argentina’s gastronomic evolution, spanning from the winery’s founding in 1883 to today. And Experiencia Trapiche blends the best of both menus.”
Diners can enjoy dishes like rabbit stew with peas and fava beans, served with a chicken broth socarrat, and smoked eggplant with chickpea cream, red fruit ketchup, and garlic mousse.
4. A Gastronomic Journey to the Heart of Las Compuertas
To talk about Las Compuertas is to delve into one of Mendoza’s oldest viticultural regions. Here, Pasaje La Reta winds past notable wineries, including Durigutti Family Winemakers, run by brothers Héctor and Pablo Durigutti. Three years ago, the winery introduced its award-winning restaurant, 5 Suelos – Cocina de Finca, led by chef Patricia Courtois. Styled as a glass island among the vineyards, olive groves, and sweeping landscapes, it offers a refined, terroir-driven dining experience. “It’s a sensitive cuisine that respects the product and engages with the wine,” says Courtois.
The menu ranges from the ambitious Historia—a 14-course journey through the story of Mendoza and the Durigutti family, with each dish paired with wines, vermouth, or cocktails—to the more concise Criollo menu, introduced this winter, which pays tribute to traditional Argentine recipes in three courses. Expect savory baked empanadas, hearty lamb prepared two ways, or tortellini stuffed with mortadella and cheese in brodo, among other seasonal dishes.
5. Luján de Cuyo: Terroir, Vineyards, and Endless Skies
A wine’s history can be told in chapters, each one marking a step in its evolution. This is how Ruca Malen presents its new viticultural vision, led since 2020 by head winemaker Agustina Hanna. Located in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, the estate is just outside the capital yet immersed in a landscape of endless skies and mountain-framed horizons. A tour of the property is the perfect way to begin a visit—starting in the main area to see the steel tanks, concrete vats, and other fermentation vessels, and continuing to the barrel room, completing the story from earth to glass.At the winery’s namesake restaurant, there’s something for every type of guest—from enjoying a sunny afternoon at the edge of the foothills with a tapas-style spread of cheeses, cold cuts, and empanadas paired with a glass of wine, to sitting down for a three- or six-course tasting menu, paired with selections from the winery’s diverse labels.
6. A Paradise for Winter Sports
It would be a shame to visit Mendoza during the colder months without taking advantage of the snow—that postcard-perfect blanket covering the Andes and settling over the province’s rolling vineyards.
Mendoza's premier ski resort is Las Leñas, a sprawling complex located in Malargüe, about 350 kilometers from the capital. Its varied trails promise adrenaline-fueled runs for both skiers and snowboarders. Those seeking a calmer pace can enjoy a snowshoe walk through the Enchanted Forest or explore the Pozo de las Ánimas, with its green water mirrors framed by an icy landscape. Closer to Mendoza city, a favorite among locals is Los Puquios, a charming snow park ideal for families and beginners, offering sleigh rides as well as introductory ski and snowboard lessons.
Related articles:
Hero image: Las Leñas, at the heart of the Andes Mountain Range, is a premier ski destination in Latin America. © Mendoza Tourism Board
