Luján de Cuyo, Malbec Land

While the name Luján de Cuyo goes around the world printed on the labels of the best wines from Mendoza, its people show that they have many more reasons to feel proud.

Visitors to the City of Luján de Cuyo may have the feeling of having found a simple population far inland in the territory of the province. As they move around, they discover the hard work done by its people and its natural as well as its acquired grandness.

We toured its small center with the aim of discovering their lifestyle. The chapel called Virgen de Luján, patron saint of the city and part of the story of the founding village, stands out at its coquettish square. Stores and coffee houses line up San Martín and Sáenz Peña Avenues, in the surroundings of the downtown.

We perceived the aroma of a quiet city which enjoys its environment and its wide streets with scarce traffic. We took a deep breath and let the perfume from the trees be our companion.

The wineries that make the city famous lie on the plain area, close to one another and divided into four circuits according to their location, history and features. They combine tradition and innovation and give us evidence of how much we know about wines and how much more we can learn with just a visit.

We were stunned at the huge amount of kilometers occupied by the vineyards lying on the foothills of the Andes. They produce the classic Malbec grape, which determines the style of the wines with character made in Luján de Cuyo.

These very green and very neat plantations are waiting for the altitude, the sunshine and the stars to manage the right acidity and fruity flavors so that specialists may later produce the extremely highly praised wines for export.

“Hot springs? Yes, Cacheuta’s. Ski resort? Vallecitos. High cuisine? Very close, in Chacras de Coria and Potrerillos, where sophistication and exquisiteness mingle in every dish”, that is how the locals define the offer existing at the District of Luján de Cuyo.

Besides, in Luján (as it is usually referred to) the presence of the mountain is vital for thrill and adrenaline; hiking on the heights, rappelling and zip-lining are sports that have gained intense popularity. They are all practiced in the company of specialized guides.

When it comes to water, beyond the countless creeks flowing downhill, the Mendoza River and three dams –namely: Carrizal, Potrerillos and Cipolletti- are used for irrigation and offer the chance to enjoy water sports.

Luján de Cuyo is the residence of many people from Mendoza who like to live close to the city but enjoy the peace of the outskirts. In the past, distinguished figures such as painter Fernando Fader sensed that site as their own land, even though they were not born there. It was precisely during a visit to Casa de Fader, Emiliano Guiñazú Museum that we read a deeply moving phrase which we decided to adopt: “The day I found I was alone in front of the mountain, I lost track of pictorial art”.

Municipal Tourist Office
Museo Americanista
Address: 1000, Saenz Peña Street
Te: 54 0261 498 1912 498 0005
E-mail: turismolujandecuyo@gmail.com

Mónica Pons Eduardo Epifanio

How to get here: From Mendoza along National Route 40, lying 15 kilometers away.

Bear in mind: Wine tours operators are available at their agencies in the City of Mendoza.
Mountain activities enthusiasts practice their activities both in the City of Mendoza and on several specific locations.

Location

Activities and tours in Mendoza

Hotels and accommodations in Mendoza