San Juan Wines

San Juan province is just north of Mendoza and the second largest wine producing region after it, although not even at a third of the plantings levels!

The vineyards vary in altitude, with the lower sites being very hot, hotter even than Mendoza, which produce inexpensive table wines, many of which are for the domestic market. However, the higher altitude vineyards have been recently establishing San Juan a bit of a reputation. Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah, the most planted variety, make extraordinary wines with fresh fruit flavours and good structure.

There is one GI of note to look for on the label, the Pedernal Valley, which is widely recognised as the best in San Juan.