I've worked in Mendoza's wine tourism industry for four years, and the question everyone asks is the same: "When should I come?" The answer depends on what you want — harvest energy, mountain scenery, budget savings, or that one perfect month almost nobody knows about.
Best overall: March-May (harvest season, vendimia festivals, fall colors, perfect temperatures). Best for budget: June-August (winter, low season, but Andes skiing). Best kept secret: September-October (spring wildflowers, uncrowded wineries, ideal weather). Most popular: March (vendimia festival month).
Daytime temperatures: 18-28°C in March, cooling to 12-22°C by May. Low humidity. Clear skies. The air smells like crushed grapes starting in late February. Fall colors paint the vineyard rows gold and red.
This is the main event. The vendimia (grape harvest) transforms Mendoza from a wine city into a wine festival. The Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia in early March is Argentina's largest festival — parades, concerts, vineyard blessings, and the coronation of a harvest queen in the amphitheater at Parque San Martin. Over 40,000 people attend the main event.
Wineries are at their most active. You can see grapes being sorted, pressed, and fermented during tastings. Some bodegas offer "harvest experience" tours where you pick grapes alongside workers. The energy is electric.
Every winery is open and fully staffed. The newest vintages are just entering barrel. Winemakers are excited and talkative. Reservations are essential at premium bodegas — Zuccardi and Catena Zapata book out weeks ahead.
Moderately higher hotel rates during vendimia festival week (first week of March). Otherwise, shoulder-season pricing. Flights from Buenos Aires are reasonable.
My take: If you can time it for late March through April — after the festival crowds but during active harvest — you get the best of both worlds. Great weather, active wineries, manageable prices.
Cold. Daytime temperatures: 5-14°C. Night temperatures regularly drop below 0°C. Clear skies. The Andes are snow-covered and spectacular. The city itself rarely gets snow but frost is common.
Low season for wine tourism. Some smaller bodegas close or reduce hours. But the major wineries (Catena Zapata, Norton, Salentein, Zuccardi) operate year-round.
The big draw: skiing. Las Lenas and Los Penitentes ski resorts are 3-5 hours from Mendoza. Las Lenas is South America's premier ski destination with 60+ runs and reliable powder. Lift tickets run $40-70/day, and the snow season runs June through September.
The Ruta 7 drive toward the Andes is spectacular in winter — snow-capped mountains, frozen rivers, and the feeling of driving toward the end of the world.
Fewer tourists mean more personal attention at wineries. Tasting rooms are quiet. Winemakers have time to chat. Some bodegas offer fireplace tastings and winter-only food pairings.
Hotel rates drop 30-50%. Flights from Buenos Aires are cheapest. The blue dollar rate is always favorable. A mid-range trip costs $50-70/day all-in.
My take: Winter Mendoza is underrated. The cold adds atmosphere, the wineries are intimate, and the snow-covered Andes are jaw-dropping. Pack warm layers and enjoy the solitude.
This is the secret season. Temperatures warm from 14°C in September to 25°C in November. Wildflowers appear in the foothills. Cherry and peach orchards bloom across the valley. The Andes still have snow but the valleys are warming. Humidity is low. Rain is rare.
Wineries emerge from winter with renewed energy. New vintage releases happen in spring. The vines start budding in October — the vineyard landscape transforms from bare winter rows to green shoots.
October's jacaranda bloom in the city streets is gorgeous — purple-flowered trees lining the wide boulevards.
Almost no international tourists. You'll share the wine tasting rooms with Argentine visitors from Buenos Aires and Cordoba.
Full availability without the harvest-season crowds. Walk-in tastings are possible at bodegas that require reservations in March. The Maipu bike route is perfect weather — not too hot, not too cold.
Shoulder-season pricing. Hotels run $40-100 for mid-range rooms. Domestic flights from Buenos Aires are well-priced. Activities and tours at standard rates.
My take: October is my single favorite month in Mendoza. The weather is perfect, the vineyards are budding, the jacarandas are blooming, and there are no crowds. This is the local's season.
Hot. Temperatures regularly exceed 35°C. Intense sun. Very dry — only 22cm of annual rainfall, and most of it falls in summer afternoon thunderstorms that are dramatic but brief.
Argentine summer holidays mean the city empties (locals head to the coast) but wineries target international tourists. The vineyards are lush and fully leafed — the landscape is green and photogenic.
Rafting season on the Mendoza River peaks in January with snowmelt-swollen rapids. Half-day rafting trips run $40-60.
Full operation. Air-conditioned tasting rooms are a blessing. Outdoor lunch at vineyard restaurants is hot but scenic. The Uco Valley is cooler at 1,200-1,500m elevation — retreat there if the city heat is too much.
Holiday pricing (December 20-January 10) pushes hotel rates up. February is quieter and cheaper. The heat is genuine — plan wine tastings for mornings and retreat to AC in the afternoon.
My take: Only visit in summer if you're combining with Patagonia or Buenos Aires on a longer Argentina trip. The heat is serious and limits what you can comfortably do during midday hours.
| Event | When | Worth Planning Around? |
|---|---|---|
| Fiesta de la Vendimia | Early March | Absolutely — Argentina's biggest festival |
| Harvest Season | Feb-May | Yes — active wineries, energy |
| Ski Season (Las Lenas) | June-Sept | Yes, if combining wine + ski |
| Jacaranda Bloom | October | Nice bonus, not essential |
| New Vintage Releases | Sept-Nov | Great for wine enthusiasts |
Fall (Mar-May): Light layers, sun hat, sunglasses. Evenings cool to 8-12°C — bring a jacket. Comfortable shoes for vineyard walks.
Winter (Jun-Aug): Warm coat, thermal base layers, hat, gloves. Ski gear if hitting the slopes. Daytime sun is still strong — sunscreen needed.
Spring (Sep-Nov): T-shirts and a light jacket. Perfect conditions. Allergy medication if you're sensitive to spring pollen.
Summer (Dec-Feb): Light, breathable clothing. SPF 50+. Refillable water bottle. The dry heat dehydrates you before you notice.
Most international visitors fly through Buenos Aires, which deserves 3-4 days of its own for steak, tango, and neighborhood exploring.
Year-round: Wine-appropriate clothing for bodega lunches (smart casual), comfortable shoes for vineyard walks, and an empty suitcase section for wine bottles you'll inevitably buy.
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