Bodega Salentein is one of the most complete wine-tourism estates in Argentina — a property where world-class winemaking, contemporary art and a luxury inn coexist on a single working farm. Founded in 1996 by Dutch businessman Mijndert Pon and inaugurated in 1998, Salentein occupies more than 2,000 hectares in Los Arboles, Tunuyan, Valle de Uco, 110 km south of Mendoza city. The vineyards stretch from 1,050 m to 1,700 m across multiple terroirs at the foot of the Andes, with day-to-night temperature swings of up to 25 C that yield deeply colored, structured wines. The flagship building, designed by the Mendocino studio Bormida & Yanzon, is best known for its cross-shaped underground barrel hall — a four-armed cathedral where thousands of French oak barrels rest at constant temperature. The estate also includes the Killka contemporary art space, a chapel set among the vineyards, the Posada Salentein hotel and a fine-dining restaurant. Salentein consistently appears among the top Argentine wineries for Pinot Noir — a rare specialty in a country dominated by Malbec.
Why visit Salentein
For first-time visitors to Argentine wine country, Salentein is the most balanced introduction available. You get top-tier winemaking (Wine Spectator regularly scores Numina at 92-94), a stunning building, an art collection that would justify the trip on its own, and the option to sleep on the property. Few wineries in the world combine all four. The estate is also Argentina's reference point for Pinot Noir — Mijndert Pon imported clones from Burgundy in the 1990s and the Reserve Pinot Noir from the Salentein high-altitude blocks (1,500 m+) is one of the only serious Pinots in the country.
The other reason to come is access. Tours are well-paced (no rushed assembly-line feel), the Killka restaurant offers genuinely good food without the multi-month waitlist of Piedra Infinita at Zuccardi, and you can taste, eat, and visit the art space all in one half-day stop.
The wines
Portillo (entry)
The everyday range named after the property's high-altitude vineyard. Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay. USD 12-22. Bright, fresh, designed for early drinking.
Salentein Reserve
Single-block selections — Reserve Malbec, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and the standout Reserve Pinot Noir from blocks above 1,500 m. USD 25-40. The Pinot Noir is one of the few age-worthy Argentine examples of the variety.
Numina (premium)
Salentein\'s flagship blend, Spirit Vineyard estate Malbec-Cabernet-Merlot-Petit Verdot-Cabernet Franc. USD 45-75. Wine Spectator 93-95 across recent vintages. Built for 8-15 years of cellaring.
Single Vineyard (icon)
Top-of-portfolio expressions from named blocks — Single Vineyard Malbec, Primus blend. USD 80-150. Dense, structured, the most age-worthy wines in the Salentein lineup.
Tasting & tour options
| Experience | Price (USD) | Duration | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic tour + tasting | 25-40 | 1h30 | Cellar tour, Killka art space, 4-wine flight |
| Reserve tasting | 50-75 | 2 hours | Tour plus 5-wine premium flight including Numina |
| Tour + Killka lunch | 60-90 | 3-4 hours | Tour plus three-course paired menu |
| Posada Salentein stay | 220-380/night | Overnight | Hotel room with breakfast, vineyard access, pool |
All experiences include the Killka contemporary art space. Reserve via salentein.com.
Book your Salentein visit
Best seller Valle de Uco Wine Tour (full-day)
Full-day small-group tour from Mendoza with hotel pickup, three-winery circuit including Salentein and sister estates. Lunch included.
Private Driver — Valle de Uco
Door-to-door private transfer with English-speaking driver. Drink freely, return safely. Up to 4 passengers.
Posada Salentein on Booking
Sleep on the estate — vineyard views, pool, breakfast, and zero drive-back stress. Best price guarantee.
How to get there
Salentein is in Los Arboles, Tunuyan, 110 km south of Mendoza city. The drive is 1h30: south on RN 40, then west on RP 89 through Tupungato. There is no public transport. Three options:
- Self-drive: rental cars from the airport USD 55-80/day, free parking on site. Realistic only with a designated driver.
- Private remis or transfer: USD 130-180 round-trip with a 4-5 hour wait. Mendoza Holidays and MendoVino are reliable operators.
- Wine tour with transfer: the easiest path. Operators like Mendoza Wine Tours, Trout & Wine and Ampora Wine Tours run small-group full-day Valle de Uco circuits (USD 180-280) usually pairing Salentein with another Tunuyan estate plus lunch.
From Lujan de Cuyo the drive is 1h. See our Mendoza getting-there guide for airport transfers.
Best time to visit
Harvest (March-April) is peak — vines heavy with fruit, fermentation tanks active, deep red and gold autumn color. Spring (October-November) brings flowering rose bushes between rows and snow still on the Andes. Summer (December-February) is hot (28-35 C) and busy. Winter (June-August) is the photographer's secret — bare vines, dramatic mountain light, smaller groups, and the cross-shaped barrel hall feels especially atmospheric. The estate is open year-round Mon-Sat.
Where to eat nearby
- Killka restaurant on site — contemporary Argentine cooking, Salentein wines by the glass, Andes views. USD 50-90 with wine.
- La Posada del Jamon (Vista Flores) — Spanish cured meats and hearty regional cooking, 30 minutes south. USD 30-50.
- Casa de Uco restaurant — at the resort hotel of the same name, 15 minutes away. USD 80-130.
Where to stay
The smartest choice is Posada Salentein on the estate (USD 220-380/night) — vineyard views, pool, breakfast included, and you skip the drive back. Other Valle de Uco options: The Vines Resort & Spa (USD 580-1,100), Casa de Uco Wine Resort (USD 380-650), Andeluna Lodge (USD 280-420). For city-based stays see our Mendoza accommodation guide.
Combine with other top wineries
- Zuccardi Valle de Uco — World's Best Vineyard, 30 minutes south.
- O. Fournier — striking gravity-flow architecture in La Consulta, 25 minutes south.
- Andeluna Cellars and Atamisque — boutique estates within 15-20 minutes.
- Catena Zapata — pair with a separate Lujan de Cuyo day for the full Mendoza picture.
