Located 150 miles to the south of the provincial capital, San Rafael Mendoza, is an undiscovered gem of the Cuyo region. The area boasts outstanding natural beauty but is also, thanks to hard work by wine professionals, now of great importance to the Argentine wine scene. In San Rafael Mendoza, local wineries combine tradition with innovation to create unique wines that realize the area’s alluring potential.
The region’s roots date back to the 19th century when Spanish colonists founded the San Rafael Fort in 1805. The Diamante and Atuel rivers, which were originally used to generate electricity, have also made it possible to grow vines among the rolling hills. Both rivers, which start in the mountains, supply irrigation water for vineyards and other crops, along with rainfall of about 250 mm a year. With 12,170 hectares under vine, San Rafael represents the southern boundary of Mendoza viticulture.
San Rafael Mendoza: a region to visit and savor
San Rafael Mendoza, is much more than a wine region: it’s an area where tradition and innovation come together to create wines of exceptional quality. It has thus become an essential stop in Wine Country, offering visitors an unforgettable experience full of history, flavor and passion. “The combination of the soils, the climate and the dedication of local oenologists makes San Rafael a magical place for wine,” says Paulo Mendez at Bodega Iaccarini.
In contrast to other wine regions in Mendoza, San Rafael vineyards are some way away from the Andes, whose peaks are only just visible on the horizon, and are set between 2000 and 2600 feet above sea level. This makes for a mild to cool, dry climate and excellent sunlight. The difference can be discerned in “the tangible acidity and vivacious palate, mainly among the Malbecs and white wines,” says Alejandro Leirado at La Espera winery.
Featuring guided tours specially tailored for tourists and travelers, as well as an introduction to the wines themselves, we present some of the leading wineries of the region.
Wineries to visit in San Rafael Mendoza
Anyone looking for memorable experiences who enjoys getting to know new terroirs and their distinctive qualities will love these wineries, which offer an excellent basis around which to plan a journey to taste the local wines.
Bodegas Bianchi: a family giant in San Rafael
Founded in 1928, the Valentín Bianchi winery is a veritable colossus in San Rafael. With a presence in over 40 countries, the winery offers a wide range of activities, from guided tours to bicycle routes through the vineyards. “The experience of being an oenologist for the day isn’t something you want to miss out on,” says Paula Bianchi, a descendant of the winery’s founder. Of their large portfolio, highlights include the Particular Merlot and Enzo Bianchi Grand Cru, both of which are generally regarded as delights of the Argentine wine scene.
Bodega Iaccarini: innovation and tradition in Las Paredes
Another well-known winery in San Rafael Mendoza, is Iaccarini, which was founded in 1903 by the Italian winemaker Pascual Iaccarini. Located in the Las Paredes district, Bodega Iaccarini combines modernity and tradition at its installations, offering a complete experience with guided visits and a novel wine bar. “Our wines reflect the passion and care that go into every bottle,” says Daniel Pomar, the young but prestigious oenologist at the winery. As an introduction, try Vía Blanca Terroir Series Malbec and Cavas Don Nicasio Reserva Bonarda, which both stand out for their quality and flavor.
Bodega La Abeja
According to the owners, this was the first winery in San Rafael Mendoza. Built in 1883 by the city’s founder, Rodolfo Iselin, one unusual aspect especially reflects the passion here: a large proportion of the wines they make are made with machines that date back to 1885, and were originally imported from France. Guided tours of Bodega La Abeja include the complete history of the winery, a tour of the facilities and, of course, tastings of sparkling wines such as the sweet Malbec rosé, the late harvested sweet Torrontés Finca La Abeja, and the house favorite, Casona Iselin Malbec.
Gems to savor and discover
Although they don’t receive visitors, the below wineries in San Rafael Mendoza, make some of the must-try wines of the region. San Rafael has a wealth of small-scale projects producing new wines that are catching the attention of consumers and bringing new perspectives to the local scene.
Casa Araujo: respect for the terroir and a commitment to organic production
Located in Villa Atuel, Casa Araujo is a winery that places a strong emphasis on care for the environment and respect for the terroir. “Our vineyards are irrigated by the Atuel River and we make high quality organic wines,” says Carlos Araujo, the founder of the winery. Today, Casa Araujo have 100 hectares of vineyard spread across two estates where they make mostly reds such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo and a smaller number of whites such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Stand outs include Nucha Malbec Orgánico and the Tempranillo in the Cask line, both of which deliver distinctive flavor and an expansive texture. The winery is certified as an organic producer.
Scrugli C Wines: top quality boutique wines
Also based in the Las Paredes district, Scrugli C Wines have vineyards irrigated by both the Atuel and Diamante rivers. “Our varietals, such as Don Leandro Bonarda and Nonno Carlo Cabernet Franc reflect the dedication and care we put into each bottle,” says Francisco Scrugli, the owner of the winery, which specializes in varietals of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay and Riesling, among others.
LJ Wines: passion in every bottle
LJ Wines is a family project founded by Cecilia Benavídez and Gonzalo Sosa. Their vineyard, dubbed “La Julia” in honor of their daughter, contains vines of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. “Our oenologist, Fabricio Orlando, imbues our wines with exceptional quality,” says Cecilia Benavídez. Her recommendations include LJW Scrabble Pinot Noir and LJW Reserva Malbec, both of which are prized for their balance and depth.
Bodega La Mala María
Bodega La Mala María was begun by the oenologist María Celeste Alvaro who, after an extensive career working at different Mendoza vineyards, wanted to start a project with a distinctive outlook. Boasting a rebellious spirit, La Mala María started out producing 1000 bottles in 2016 and today has scaled up to 80 thousand sold all across Argentina and exported to markets such as Brazil and the UK.
Its lines – which have varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Bonarda and Muscato – include La Mala María Joven, fermented with untoasted oak chips; Selección, wines that spent 10 months in second use barrels including Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Bonarda and Pinot Noir; and La Mala María Pequeñas partidas, made with unconventional varieties such as Lambrusco, Ancelotta, Taboso, Graciana, and a co-fermented blend of Syrah and Petit Verdot.
