My travel-mad mate Karina Kold goes wine tasting on two wheels through the sunny vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina. I’m not jealous AT ALL.
Wine tasting Argentina by bike
Mendoza is where Argentina produces 80% of its delicious wine. It’s one of the greatest wine regions in the world. And you can visit the lush vineyards in the nicest way ever – by bike.
When the sun is shining in a clear blue sky it feels great to be travelling through this beautiful green landscape by cycle instead of sitting in a stuffy warm bus. Be your own captain on two wheels, and wear a bike helmet as your captain hat!
Some of the local farms are family owned, whilst others are big businesses, but there’s a nice variety and they’re all easy to visit. Just grab a map from the tourist information office in Mendoza and you can head off on a trail around the wineries and olive farms.
I started off with a trip to Trapiche, a modern winery with a lovely wooden terrace overlooking the olive fields and vineyards. I paid 50 pesos (£3.77) for a guided tour and got to taste a delicious white wine, two red wines and a dessert wine. The guide was super friendly, funny and spoke both Spanish and English.
Next stop was the family owned Bodega Familia Di Tommaso, for a more traditional, old-fashioned wine experience and a look around their cellars.
I love olives, and at the LAUR olive farm I got a huge plate of amazing things to taste for only 15 pesos (£1.15). I couldn’t even finish it. Those green olives, wow!
To round off the day, I stopped at the charming Historias & Sabores, which specialises in homemade marmalade with chardonnay, chocolate bars, liqueurs and tapenade – perfect when you’ve had enough glasses of Argentina’s wonderful Malbec red wine! Their products are great presents to take back home, too.
The Heat: I was in Mendoza in February when the temperature is around 30 degrees. Remember to drink plenty of water along the way, bro bikers!
The Bike: I rented my bike at Mr. Hugo’s and paid 50 pesos (£3.77) for a day. Just ask the bus driver to drop you off at Hugo’s, everyone in town knows him.
Read more of Karina’s adventures, written for The Girl Outdoors
