Bodega Norton is one of the oldest and most internationally recognized wineries in Mendoza — founded in 1895 by British engineer Edmund James Palmer Norton, who came to Argentina to build the Mendoza-to-Chile railway across the Andes and stayed to plant vineyards in Perdriel, Lujan de Cuyo. The estate sits 25 km south of Mendoza city at 950 m, with 700+ hectares of estate vineyards split across Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. In 1989 the property was acquired by Austria's Swarovski family (the crystal-glass dynasty), who have invested heavily in modernizing the cellar while preserving the historical stone winery building from the early 1900s. Norton is consistently among Argentina's three largest premium producers and exports to more than 80 countries. The property includes the La Vid restaurant — a relaxed garden setting with excellent value — and a working museum that traces the British origins and Swarovski-era expansion.
Why visit Norton
Norton is the smart pick for travelers who want the full Mendoza experience without the multi-week reservation hurdle of Catena Zapata or Zuccardi. The combination of historical building (one of the oldest still-operating cellars in Argentina), competitive pricing, the often-walk-in friendly policy and the on-site La Vid restaurant makes it ideal as a first or second stop on a Lujan de Cuyo half-day. Norton is also one of the few large producers that has invested seriously in white wine — its Altura Sauvignon Blanc from Tupungato (Uco Valley) is a benchmark for high-altitude whites in Argentina.
The other reason to come is the flagship blend, Norton Privada: a Bordeaux-style Malbec-Cabernet-Merlot blend first produced in 1992 that is one of the longest-lived wines in the Lujan de Cuyo portfolio. Wine Spectator and James Suckling regularly score it 90-93 points. At USD 25-40 a bottle in Argentina it is one of the best price-quality ratios in fine Argentine wine.
The wines
Norton Barrel Select (entry premium)
The everyday range — Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay. USD 12-20 in Argentina. Approachable, fruit-driven, lightly oaked.
Norton Reserva
Single-block selections with longer oak ageing — Reserva Malbec, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserva Chardonnay. USD 18-30. The pick of the entry portfolio for serious tasters.
Norton Privada (icon blend)
The flagship Bordeaux-style blend (Malbec-Cabernet-Merlot, varying proportions by vintage), made since 1992. USD 25-45. Wine Spectator 90-93. The label most international visitors come to taste.
Norton Lote Negro / Altura (premium)
Lote Negro is the single-vineyard expression from the oldest Perdriel parcels. Altura is the high-altitude line from Tupungato (Uco Valley) — the Sauvignon Blanc from this range is a national benchmark. USD 35-65.
Tasting & tour options
| Experience | Price (USD) | Duration | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic tour + tasting | 20-30 | 1 hour | Cellar tour and 4-wine flight (Reserva range) |
| Premium tasting | 35-50 | 1h30 | Tour plus 6 wines including Norton Privada and library vintages |
| Tour + La Vid lunch | 60-90 | 3 hours | Visit plus three-course Argentine paired menu |
| Bike + winery tour | 40-65 | 3 hours | Guided bike ride through vineyards, return to cellar tasting |
Reserve at norton.com.ar; the bike tour is offered seasonally October-April only.
Book your Norton visit
Best seller Wine Tour from Mendoza (3 wineries)
Full-day small-group tour with hotel pickup and three-winery Lujan de Cuyo circuit including Norton or sister estate. Tastings and lunch included.
Private Driver — Lujan de Cuyo
Door-to-door private transfer with English-speaking driver. Drink freely, return safely. Up to 4 passengers.
Hotels in Lujan de Cuyo
Boutique hotels and winery lodges close to Norton. Best price guarantee.
How to get there
Norton is in Perdriel, 25 km south of Mendoza city — the closest of the major wineries. The drive is 30 minutes south on RN 40 then a short stretch on RP 15. Three options:
- Self-drive: rental cars from the airport USD 55-80/day. Free parking. Realistic only with a designated driver.
- Uber or remis: one-way Uber USD 18-28; remis round-trip with wait USD 50-70. Reliable ride-share availability for the return given proximity to the city.
- Wine tour with transfer: operators like Mendoza Wine Tours, Ampora Wine Tours and MendoVino include Norton in their classic Lujan de Cuyo circuits (USD 130-200 per person, 3 wineries plus lunch). Easiest option for first-time visitors.
From Maipu the drive is 20 minutes; from Valle de Uco 1h15. See the full getting-there guide.
Best time to visit
Harvest (March-April) is the marquee season — vineyards turn red and gold, you see fermentation tanks active, daytime temperatures are 22-28 C. Spring (October-November) brings flowering rose bushes and snow still on the Andes. Summer (December-February) is hot (28-35 C) with heavy tourist traffic. Winter (June-August) is the contrarian choice — bare vines, dramatic mountain light, smaller groups, and the historical stone cellar feels especially atmospheric in the cold. Closed Sundays year-round.
Where to eat nearby
- La Vid on site — relaxed Argentine cooking, Norton wines by the glass, garden setting. USD 30-60 with wine. Easier to book than most winery restaurants.
- Casa Vigil (El Enemigo) — chef-driven Argentine by Alejandro Vigil (ex-Catena), 15 minutes away. USD 80-120 with wine. Book 3-4 weeks ahead.
- Ruca Malen lunch — see the Ruca Malen guide for the famous five-course paired lunch, 10 minutes south.
Where to stay
Norton is close enough to the city that staying in Mendoza centro is fine. For a winery-focused trip, the best Lujan de Cuyo bases are Cavas Wine Lodge (USD 550-900), Entre Cielos (USD 380-680), Club Tapiz (USD 220-380) and Posada Borravino (USD 180-280). For full neighborhood detail see our Mendoza accommodation guide.
Combine with other top wineries
- Catena Zapata — pyramid winery 10 minutes south, the most-awarded estate in Argentina.
- Luigi Bosca — historic 1901 family producer with century-old ungrafted vines, 15 minutes away.
- Ruca Malen — same Lujan de Cuyo neighborhood, best wine-pairing lunch in Mendoza.
- Achaval-Ferrer, Chandon, Lagarde — all within 20 minutes of Norton.
