Argentina is the fifth largest wine producer in the world. Wine has been produced in Mendoza since the XVI century, and in the Province there are vineyards which are older than 100 years.

90% of wine exports originate in Mendoza, as it has more than 150,000 hectares of vineyards, representing 70% of the cultivated surface of the country.

The Province of Mendoza has a cultivated area similar to that of countries such as Australia or South Africa.

Mendoza belongs to the 8 Great Wine Capitals of the World, together with Melbourne, Bordeaux, Florence, Rioja, San Francisco–Napa Valley, Bilbao-Rioja, Porto and Cape City.

The most extended grape varieties of high enological quality are:

 In the last 5 years the grape-growing and wine-making sector has grown 192%, with an annual average rate of 14%.

In Mendoza there are more than 700 actively producing wineries.

Evolution of Grape-growing and Wine-making GGP 2002=Base 100

Evolution of Grape-growing and Wine-making Exports 2002=Base 100

Mendoza has 5 grape-growing and wine-making regions: to the center, in Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and Godoy Cruz, in the Uco Valley, to the north in Lavalle and Las Heras, to the east in San Martín and Rivadavia, and to the south in San Rafael and Gral. Alvear. Each of these regions has particular characteristics.

Mendoza has a Mediterranean-style mild and dry climate, with a low humidity level, an exceptional heliophany, a low rainfall of about 180 mm/year, and a marked daily and seasonal thermal fluctuation. The average temperatures in January (summer) are of 30ºC during the day and 23ºC at night. The average temperatures in July (winter) are of 12ºC during the day and 0ºC at night.

Production costs are low and the maximum cost that vineyards reach in Premium zones is of about 30,000 dollars per hectare, up to 10 times lower than that of similar lands in Napa Valley, California.