Maipú Wine Route

The Maipú Wine Route is a loop of wineries, olive oil producers and restaurants in the Maipu department, about 15 km southeast of central Mendoza, Argentina. Because many of the stops in the Coquimbito and Cruz de Piedra districts are only a few kilometres apart on mostly flat roads, it is one of the most popular places in Argentina to tour wineries by bicycle at your own pace.

Maipú is one of Mendoza's oldest wine-growing areas and is often described as the "cradle" of Mendoza wine. The route mixes very different kinds of stops: large historic wineries, small family-run producers, a wine museum, olive oil farms with tastings of oils, olives and preserves, and restaurants with long lunches among the vineyards.

Most visitors do the route as a self-guided day trip by bike, renting one from one of the shops on or near Calle Urquiza and following a map. Organised excursions by van and private drivers are also available, and a car is useful for wineries further away.

• Book tastings ahead where you can, especially on Saturdays and in high season. Many wineries are closed on Sundays and some close for lunch.
• Plan on visiting 3 to 5 stops in a day; tastings take time and distances add up.
• Bring water, sunscreen, a hat and some cash: the sun is strong and there is little shade on some stretches. A small backpack is useful for bottles you buy.
• Summer (December–February) afternoons can be very hot; spring and autumn (harvest is around March–April) are the most comfortable seasons.

From central Mendoza, take the Metrotranvía (light rail) or a city bus towards Maipú, paying with a rechargeable SUBE card, or take a taxi or Uber (about 30 minutes). Check the current routes on the Mendotran website.

Several companies rent bikes for the route, usually with a map, suggested stops and help if you have a mechanical problem. Compare the condition of the bikes before paying. One of them is:

• -32.961279-68.7554721 Maipu Bikes, Urquiza 2439, Coquimbito, ☏ +54 9 261 467-0761, info@maipubikes.com. Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00 (last bikes out at 14:30), closed Su; 1 Jun-14 Sep: Mo, We, Fr and Sa only. Self-guided bike rental with route map and suggestions; free Malbec happy hour when you bring the bike back in the afternoon.  (updated Nov 2026)

The stops below are some of the most visited on the route; choose the ones that fit your interests and opening times.

• Bodega La Rural – Museo del Vino, Montecaseros 2625, Coquimbito. Historic winery founded in 1885 with a large wine museum full of old presses, barrels and tools. A good first stop to understand the history of Mendoza wine. 
• Bodega Domiciano. Boutique winery offering tours and tastings; known for night harvesting. 
• Tempus Alba. Family-owned winery with a self-guided walk through the production area, tastings and a terrace overlooking the vineyards. 
• Viña El Cerno. Small, family-run artisan winery with an old underground cellar and tastings of its own wines. 
• Bodega Mevi. Modern family winery with a restaurant and a terrace with views of the vineyards and, on clear days, the Andes. 
• Bodega Alandes. Boutique winery of winemaker Karim Mussi in a historic building, with tastings by reservation. 
• Bodega Trapiche, Nueva Mayorga s/n. One of the best-known wineries in Argentina (founded 1883), in a restored early 20th-century building. Tours, tastings and a restaurant; booking recommended. 
• Entre Olivos. Olive farm offering tastings of olive oils, olive pastes, jams, chocolates and liqueurs – a good break between wineries. 
• Casa de Campo. Restaurant serving homemade regional food, a popular lunch stop on the route. 

• The route uses ordinary roads shared with cars, buses and farm vehicles. Some stretches have bike lanes, others do not: ride in single file and keep right.
• Pace your tastings – you still have to ride back. Drink plenty of water.
• Keep bags and phones secure and do not leave them unattended in bike baskets.
• In an emergency call 911.

• Mendoza – the provincial capital, base for trips to the Andes and other wine regions.
• Luján de Cuyo – the neighbouring wine region, home to many large wineries.
• Valle de Uco – high-altitude vineyards at the foot of the Andes.