Vineyards and wineries sprawl out of the city of Mendoza and extend 60 miles south into the Uco Valley. This region of alluvial landscapes, located at the foot of some of the highest sections of the Andes Mountains, is home to many of the most celebrated wines and winemakers in Argentina, making it a top destination for wine lovers.

Over the years, the diversity and quality of wine coming out of the Mendoza area have exploded, as has the number of notable wine country restaurants. Now, finally, the region has exceptional new hotel options to match.

These stylish, wine-focused hotels offer an excellent excuse to jet over to Argentina’s extraordinary wine country.

Design centric: Gaia Lodge 

Opened at the end of 2021, this seven-room lodge is a breath of fresh air, offering a vibrant palette and playful décor among the vines of the award-winning Domaine Bousquet organic winery. Each spacious room is named for a city that’s played a role in the Argentinean owners’ lives (like São Paulo and New York), and six of those rooms enjoy expansive views of the Andes, including 22,145-foot Tupungato — one of the highest mountains in the Americas.

Above-and-beyond room amenities include a wine refrigerator, a pod coffee maker, LBJ wireless speakers, and private furnished patios. But it’s the energetic décor and outstanding cuisine that distinguish this lodge. During your stay, book an intimate multi-course chef’s table experience with the winery’s talented local chef Adrian Baggio for dishes like fork-tender rabbit in a tangy, sweet sauce made with house-canned tomatoes (from the large organic kitchen garden) and served with cloud-like ricotta gnocchi. Rates from $235 double occupancy, including breakfast.

A very worthy splurge: SB Winemaker’s House

During the pandemic, legendary Argentinean winemaker Susana Balbo teamed up with her daughter Ana to reinvent a family home. In early 2022, they opened the game-changing SB Winemaker’s House. Located just outside the city of Mendoza, their vision includes seven standalone metal and glass suites. Arranged around a large garden and pool, each suite features state-of-the-art in-room technology, sauna showers (perfect with your in-suite massage), private gardens (with heated lounge chairs), and irresistible beds.

The stately family home has been transformed into a welcoming living room, anchored by a massive fireplace, plus a restaurant (don’t miss the seven-course chef’s table meal) and an intimate bar. All spaces are studded with impressive pieces of art hand-picked (like everything else) by Ana. There’s nothing like it in this region. Rates from $784 double occupancy including breakfast.

Budget friendly: Las Guaras 

Las Guaras, which opened in the Colonia Las Rosas area of the Uco Valley in May of 2021, is the only lodging option in the Uco Valley that’s crafted from shipping containers. Each of the three stylish container rooms (two more are on the way) include a living room, bathroom, kitchenette, and bedroom, plus a furnished patio with a hammock, a wood-fired hot tub, and views of the Andes and the almond tree groves the place is named for. Rates from $110 double occupancy.

A welcoming hideaway: Finca La Azul 

This homey and welcoming six-room boutique hotel added four new garden rooms with eco elements in 2022. Each standalone room is solar-powered and works on a system that recycles gray and black water through an eco-digester. The metal cubes, on the edge of the hotel’s lush and spacious garden and pool area, offer modern décor and vine and Andes views. Garden rooms from $250 double occupancy, including breakfast.

Related: A Dreamy New ‘Wine Safari’ Takes You Through the Andes Mountains, Patagonia, and Beyond

Coming soon: Calyptra Wine & Lodge 

In 2024, a sleek ten-room all-suites lodge will be added to the 50-acre Calyptra winery vineyard in the Los Arboles area of the Uco Valley. Situated very close to the foothills of the Andes, suites will have prime mountain views and private Jacuzzis.

A heated pool, spa, gym, and restaurant are also planned along with activities including fly fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, Argentinean barbecues, and more. An adults only policy ensures a romantic stay. Rates not available at press time.

Source: https://www.foodandwine.com/argentina-wine-country-hotels-worth-planning-a-trip-around-6823620