8 Best Sights in San Juan, Wine Regions

At this landmark bodega and museum, great concrete wine-storage tubs are exposed in a cavernous old building that survived three earthquakes and now functions as part of the museum. Wine and espumante are served in the lovely garden or at a wine bar in the front room.

In a hot, dry, wide open valley 35 km (22 miles) from town and with vineyards planted in every direction, Callia produces fantastic Syrah. The winery looks modern, but inside its superstructure is the old bodega (albeit with all new equipment). Take a guided visit that ends with a tasting. It's owned by Salentein, the formidable Dutch-owned company that also makes wine in the Valle de Uco.

There's a lot going on at this unassuming little winery. It doesn't run fancy tours, but workers will stop to show you how they make sparkling wine, turning the bottles slowly on the many racks. Everything is certified organic—from the wine to the garlic and tomatoes that grow out back. Book in for a three-wine tasting (500 pesos).

Grapes from this spotless winery are grown organically, and the wine and espumosos are stabilized without preservatives or additives. They are made in small quantities, and a great deal of care and control go into the production. Take a short 40-minute guided tour before sampling some of their wares (350 pesos) or upgrade to a paired tasting (1,600 pesos).

The same family has been cultivating vines at this finca (estate) since 1897, but it wasn't until the 1990s they started producing varietals, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Syrah. A visit offers three experiences, including a tour of the winery and a taste of its modern portfolio to a picnic in the lovely garden.

This modest house was the birthplace of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (1811–88), known to Argentines as the Father of Education. Sarmiento was a prolific writer, a skilled diplomat, and a successful politician who served as president from 1869 to 1874. Casa Natal de Sarmiento—Argentina’s first designated National Historic Landmark—pays tribute to his achievements and gives an overview of Argentine history during his era.

Fifteen km (9 miles) west of San Juan, this huge hydroelectric complex—also known as the Ullum Valley Dam Reservoir—offers grand views of the Río San Juan. Windsurfing, sailing, swimming, rowing, fishing, and diving keep San Juaninos cool on hot summer days. You can rent boating equipment just beyond the dam, where you'll also find a café and change cabins. There's a public beach at the Embarcadero turnoff. You can go white-water rafting and kayaking on the San Juan, Los Patos, and Jachal rivers. Fly fishing, mostly for trout, in Las Hornillas River can be arranged through local tour companies.

Segisa claims to be the first boutique winery in San Juan after Don Vicente Perez Ganga settled here in 1925. Several earthquakes have left nothing of the original building, but it's still worth a visit to taste new wines on their daily tours.