Maipu and Lujan vineyards

It is the most important zone with the highest viticulture development and it has the main exportable varietals with its best one: Malbec.

The region is located in Mendoza piedmont, at 30° south latitude. The terroirs are very propriate to cultivate the grapes which  nowadays are consumed in the world. The average annual temperature is 15º C and the altitude varies from 650 to 1,060 meters above sea level. The towns with the best grapes for winemaking are:  Maipú, Guaymallén, Las Heras, Godoy Cruz and Luján de Cuyo. In this area are located the most traditional and century-old wineries as well as the new enterprises in the last 10 years. Agrelo, Perdriel, Ugarteche, Las Compuertas, Vistalba, are some of the most important zones in the growth of this industry in the zone.

The cultivated area is irrigated by Mendoza River. The appellations located in the higher area, such as Vistalba, Las Compuertas or Perdriel, are the coldest and the most adequate for growing Malbec. Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and Panquehua (in Las Heras District) host the oldest vineyards of this variety.

Going downhill, temperatures are higher giving origin to significantly different terroirs in short distances (no more than 20 km).