The Best Boutique Wineries in Argentina

Visiting Patti’s bodega is a special treat, as he will take you on a tour of his small, rustic winery himself and show you the garage where he began making wine in the 80s. He is widely known as quite the character and will animatedly share the story of his wine, from the starting process to the final product. All his wines are made naturally with no chemical additives and the reds are bottled for four to five years before the are deemed ready for commercial release. If you visit, you must try his Cabernet Sauvignon.

At first, the small, unassuming building of the La Azul Winery doesn’t catch the eye of visitors like its surrounding vineyard neighbors, but you’ll soon be reminded to not judge this book by its cover. Where other winemakers focus on aesthetics, La Azul focuses all its time and energy on its wines. The winery specialises in Cabernet Sauvignon and the national grape—Malbec. But what you really have to try is the Azul Gran Reserva—a blend of both grapes aged for two years in French and American oak barrels.

Familia Blanco is the family-run bodega that has produced the Mairena label for three generations. Gabriel and Monica Blanco began engaging in the ancient tradition of reaping the best grapes from their land in the 80s. In 2015, their efforts payed off when the Mairena Bonarda Reserve 2009 was voted the Best Bonarda in the World by the World Association of Writers and Journalists of Wines and Spirits. Their aim is to satisfy even the pickiest palates and create wines of the highest quality.

Bodega Gimenez Riili is a cosy winery run by a father-son team that focuses on a small production of Mendoza’s finest reds as well as whites that are worth a try. Founded in 1945, Gimenez Riili embodies Argentine passion and excellence and its family of winemakers has an eye for the finer things in life. They’ll welcome you to enjoy a glass or three of their Malbec alongside a traditional asado at their restaurant.