Museo del vino - Bodega La Rural (Wine Museum - La Rural Winery)
In Maipú, at 10 miles from Mendoza capital city, the Wine Museum is located, and belongs to La Rural Winery, unique in South America because of its features and elements in exhibition.

A short guided visit by its installations is enough to learn about the wine-making procedure, from distant periods up to nowadays. Besides, you can taste a special varietal wine in the wine bar of the place, only for tourists.

At the end of the visit, the tourists are invited to the wine bar of the winery to taste a special varietal called Línea Museo, and buy the different products that are produced in the winery.

Recommended to buy:

• Felipe Rutini
• Colección Rutini
• Trumpeter

Days and times: From Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5.30 pm. Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. Sundays from 10 am to 1 pm.

Fiesta de la Vendimia (Wine festival)
In Mendoza, the wine festival is a folk phenomenon. It dates back to the 17th century, taking into account that the wine industry has its roots in Mendoza from 1632. This celebration used to be held in colonial storehouses lighted by oil lamps where immigrants and native people disputed over the women present.

This is way this festival in Mendoza is synonymous of folklore, a series of traditions, beliefs and costumes, including the music, poetry, food, superstitions and parties. It is the “unwritten history of the people”, but passed on by tradition. The vine crop and the industrialization of its fruits represent a popular expression of love and support towards an activity that derives from collective work and richness.

Fiesta Nacional (National Festival)       
Since 1936, every year, on the first weekend of March, Mendoza renews a festival, the Fiesta de la Vendimia (Wine Festival). This is the most important celebration for Mendoza’s people, since it is a celebration done in honor of the most important industry of the province: the wine production. The vendimia is the harvest time of the grape; this is why Mendoza starts celebrating in January and February. First, in every district of the province, popular celebrations are held, from which the candidates to be national sovereigns emerge. This rite is allusive to the times when, in the vineyard, after work, the finest combine was crowned.
    
The Festival is carried out in January and February and ends in March, in the night when the “Acto Central”, the most important ceremony, takes place. The other main ceremonies are: "Bendición de los Frutos" (Blessing of the Fruit), "Vía Blanca de las Reinas" (Queen’s White Parade) and "Carrusel" (Carousel).        

Museo del Área Fundacional (Foundation Area Museum)
In the heart of the historical center of the Old City, over the square Pedro del Castillo, old parade ground and main square, this museum is located, exactly where Mendoza’s Town Council functioned many years ago.

In its interior, you will find an underground chamber that preserves archeological remains of the town council -the first administrative institution of the colonial government that was destroyed in an earthquake on March, 20th, 1861- and the remains of the Municipal Slaughterhouse and the Fruits and Vegetables Fair, which were built over the ruins of the first building.

You may observe the meeting rooms’ floor of the town council, made up by native floor tiles, and the blacktop sheet and red floor tiles that belonged to the slaughterhouse and the fruits and vegetable market respectively.
Among the exhibited objects there are dioramas, pictures and models that recreate the history and evolution of the city, apart from objects extracted in situ.

The sculptural collection of the museum comprises pictures and carvings of renowned local artists.
This museum offers a permanent service of guided visits, at the tourists disposal.

To take into account:
Days and times: Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8 am to 8 pm. Sundays from 2 pm to 8 pm.

Las Leñas
Las Leñas is, no doubt, one of the most important ski centers of Argentina due to its unparalleled snow quality, ski runs for all levels, ski touring and superb areas to practice skiing in uncontrolled areas.

Located near Mendoza capital city, Las Leñas is the highest ski resort. The 568 acres of surface suitable for skiing show a quality internationally renowned, due to its dry weather.

It presents a slalom stage and 27 ski runs, among them, one of the longest ski runs of the world for the intermediate level (7,050 meters). You can get to the ski runs through 13 ski lifts and, if the weather conditions do not provide enough snow for skiing, Las Leñas counts with a modern system that makes artificial snow.

An indescribable experience for advanced skiers is to practice skiing in uncontrolled areas and sleep in the high mountain hut of Valle Hermoso or practice ski touring with sealskins.

With first-class lodging and gastronomy, ski and snowboard schools, among other services, Las Leñas is a classic.

How to get there: at 280 miles from Mendoza capital city, in Malargüe and at 746 miles from Buenos Aires, by plane, car or bus.

There are flights from Buenos Aires to Malargüe airport and from there a bus to Las Leñas. In high season, there are direct flights from Sao Paulo (Brazil) to Malargüe.

By car from Buenos Aires you should travel through national routes Nº 7, 188, 143, 14, 40 and provincial route 222 up to Las Leñas, 12 miles after Los Molles. The season goes from June 11th to September 24th and it is divided in high, mid, low and special season.

Weather: in winter, the cold is moderate during the day and the nights are very cold. The temperature goes from 53ºF to 29ºF.

Activities: skiing, snowboard, snowmobiles.

Services: lodging, gastronomy, nursery, clinic, institutional museum.

Las Leñas Ski Center offers several activities to enjoy the snow:

* Extreme expedition: this is a new proposal for advanced and expert skiers that would like to live an adventure in the snow, out of the ski center and with a specialized group of people.

* Apart from the classic trips to mounts Torrecillas and Collar, you can also visit Valle Hermoso, El Desecho, and lagoon Escondida, comprising different options to discover the mountains and challenge the limits.

* Night skiing: Las Leñas invites to slip through more than 1,400 meters of lit and safe ski runs. After having dinner in the restaurant Elurra, you can ski down through the runs Minerva and Eros I.

* The after hour in Santa Fe welcomes the skiers with a drink to see the dusk in the mountain and then go down skiing by moonlight.

* Besides, in this season, Las Leñas waits her visitors with new snow cannons, to enjoy even in bad weather.