Marriage is still very much in fashion. In 2020 in Mendoza, 3495 couples officially tied the knot (1974 marriages, and 1521 civil unions). In 2021 that number rose to 6494. The trend of holding your wedding at wineries is becoming increasingly attractive to Argentinians and foreigners alike. And no wonder: dreamy landscapes paired with special menus and wine lists ensure that winery weddings are distinctive, memorable events.
PH: Franco Yancarelli
Many wineries in Argentina boast spaces and plans perfectly suited to destination weddings: they include Domaine Bousquet, Casarena, Vistalba, Durigutti, Los Toneles, Maal Wines, Anaia Wines, Quimera, Penedo Borges, Casa Petrini, Alfa Crux, Huentala Wines, Finca La Anita, Caelum, and Piedra Infinita, among others. All of them are ready to arrange tailor-made experiences that might include open air ceremonies with different views depending on the season, wine tastings and local cuisine, attractions that account for the growing popularity of the phenomenon in Mendoza, Patagonia and Córdoba and elsewhere in Argentina.
Winery weddings: say I do
Sol Castilla, a prestigious wedding planner from Mendoza, says, “Winery weddings are welcoming and flexible. More and more tourists are deciding to hold weddings in Argentina. Winery owners see a niche there and welcome it with open arms. Brazilians are flocking here: it can be very expensive to hold a wedding in Brazil, a one-day luxury wedding there might be the same price as three days in Argentina with a pre-wedding party, the ceremony itself, and after-parties.
They love the landscape and want to have their wedding photo taken with the snow-capped mountains in the background. That’s why there are so many marriages in winter, which is great for us because it’s the low season.”
PH: Maal Wines
Franco Yancarelli, another leading wedding planner in Mendoza adds: “We’ve had customers from Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Denmark, Spain and the United States. Also, Rosario, San Juan, Mar del Plata, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires in Argentina”. The climate in Mendoza changes subtly throughout the year in terms of temperature, color and atmosphere and this allows for a range of different kinds of wedding.
PH: Franco Yancarelli
“Our high season of winery weddings runs from February to the middle of May and September to December due to the weather and the fact that people want to drink the wine from the vineyards all around them. Clients choose Mendoza not just for its wine, local cuisine and winery architecture, which are major attractions, but also the beautiful views of vineyards and mountains. The latter two factors are a major part of their decision.”
Vines, barrels and glasses
Located in Pampa del Cepillo, Uco Valley – 80 miles from the city of Mendoza – with the Andes looming magnificently behind, Alfa Crux boasts a futuristic, modern design by the architect Eliana Bórmida that blends in with the natural landscape. They hold weddings tailor-made to suit the needs of each couple with a capacity that ranges from small groups to as many as 200 guests.
The wine and food are important factors: Chef Edward Holloway (Crux Cocina) produces a range of menus to choose from. Working with the couples and wedding planners, they adapt to whatever the couple might ask for, as unusual as it might be, including flying the couple in by helicopter, lodging for up to 22 guests and pre and post ceremony events.
Maal Wines, in Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo (12 miles from the City of Mendoza) is a distinctive choice that makes a point of emphasizing the value of recycled products. “When we designed and built our winery, we tried to re-use waste materials as much as possible, ensuring that they ended up aesthetically pleasing and functional but with a distinctive identity. No other winery has ever used as much junk for its building.”
PH: Maal Wines
The garden at Maal Wines was designed especially for weddings. Combining vintage, modern and natural motifs, “you can have your wedding surrounded by containers that, after sailing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, have now been repurposed to become part of our wedding facilities.” The furniture also includes old church pews, upcycled tables and even a bus.
Also in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Bodega Anaia Wines presents stunning views of the mountains and facilities that blend seamlessly with the landscape and places a premium on responsible use of the resources. The events garden at their Business Lodge – which also provides accommodation for the couple and their guests – has a capacity of between 10 and 400 people with a 180-degree view of the Andes, in addition to the irrigation lake, the Wine Lounge and the Private Cellar. Modernity, elegance and wines at discount prices complete the tempting offer. “We put on weddings between October and April and the most popular months are November, February and March,” say the owners.
PH: Anaia Wines
Finally, Bodega Salentein in the Uco Valley (about 50 miles from the city of Mendoza), has an exclusive inn set 5600 feet above sea level with wonderful views of the Andes. In a dream landscape, couples and guests have the chance to taste a range of local cuisine made with regional products paired with the winery’s best wines.
Other destinations
This looking to organize weddings outside of Mendoza have many more options.
In Patagonia, in San Patricio del Chañar, 30 miles from the Provincial capital of Neuquén, Bodega Familia Schroeder is a pioneering wedding venue. One of the most southerly wineries in the world, they serve exquisite cuisine at their Saurus restaurant, which is run by Chef Ezequiel González.
Another option in Patagonia is Bodega Agrestis, in General Roca, Alto Valle de Río Negro, whose vineyards provide a range of sparkling wines just perfect for toasting true love.
PH: Anaia Wines
In Colonia Caroya, Córdoba, the stunning Bodega Terra Camiare has over 9 hectares of vineyard just 45 minutes from the provincial capital. With excellent local dishes cooked over an open flame and top class sommellerie serving a wide range of quality wines, it can serve up to 150 guests. Their high season is between November and March and the ceremonies take place in the day, climaxing with stunning sunsets.
