El Hornero in La Morada

Based on the concept of cooking in the woodfire oven, Edward Holloway's restaurant with leading Argentine sommelier Andres Rosberg has some of the best fire-cooking in Mendoza. It also has, as you would expect from Rosberg, one of the deepest cellars. Whether visiting for lunch or dinner, the kitchen turns out excellent dishes including drool-worthy empanadas, roasted girolles, and snail and alioli paella. With glorious mountain views and a solid handful of delightful and distinctive dishes, this is one of the best new restaurants to open since the pandemic.

Before we get onto the wine list, La Morada has one of the best-stocked bars in the Uco Valley. Start your journey there, or perhaps on the terrace at sunset with a cocktail in hand. Although suggestions by the glass are on offer, the wine list by the bottle is a tour de force featuring all the key players in Argentina, including hard-to-find library vintages of iconic wines. The venue also makes plenty of space to highlight off-the-beaten path terroirs, unusual varieties and boutique producers. The experience is all accompanied by some serious stemware (a novelty in Mendoza!) and an option for pre-meal wine tastings in the underground cellar. The splendid wine list is reason enough to book yourself a bed at La Morada's lodge.