Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting

Mendoza’s best dinners are usually the ones that feel like you got invited, and this asado experience leans hard into that. You get a local-host evening centered on Argentine BBQ, with a terrace view of the city and the mountains.

I love that you are not just watching, you’re helping. You’ll learn how to light the asado fire and you’ll pitch in making homemade empanadas.

One thing to consider: the terrace takes climbing two flights of stairs, so it is not ideal if stairs are a problem. If weather turns, the dinner shifts indoors to the living room.

Key highlights

• Small group of up to 5 so the night stays personal and chatty
• Hands-on asado skills: you help get the coals going
• Empanada making while the fire is warming up
• Meat lineup includes morcilla, chorizo, pork matambre, and beef
• Wine tasting paired with the meal, plus beer and a classic Fernet con Coca finale
• Weather backup indoors, so you do not lose the whole evening

Entering Mendoza through an asado rooftop dinner

Mendoza has the famous wine labels, sure. But this is where you taste the region in a more everyday way. The core of the evening is a classic Argentine asado, cooked at a local home, not a restaurant hall. And the vibe is built for conversation, not choreography.

You’ll spend about 4 hours (starting at 8:00 pm), moving from drink and prep time to coals and cooking to a full spread of meats, dessert, and a final toast. It’s basically a crash course in how Argentines eat outdoors, and how wine fits right in.

The most praised part is the host energy. Fede runs the night like you’re joining his friends for dinner at home, with real teaching moments. He doesn’t just serve, he explains. That makes the food taste better because you understand what you’re looking at.

Meeting point and getting to the rooftop

You meet at Av. Ejército de los Andes 346 1b, M5521JNA Mendoza. It is a central spot, and Uber is easy to find. Public transportation is nearby too, which matters because you start at 8:00 pm and you probably do not want to fight late-night timing.

From there, the big practical detail is the terrace. You will climb two flights of stairs to reach the terracita. If your travel style is comfortable and slow, that is fine. If you packed light shoes and are already tired from walking around Mendoza, this part might feel like the only workout you did all week.

If it rains or it is too cold, the evening goes indoors to the living room. So do not assume you will always get the rooftop view. Still, the plan is built so the meal continues.

Your first hour: coals, empanada making, and drinks

The night starts with the asado rhythm. While the coals are ready, you help with empanadas. This is one of the best ways to spend early time because it keeps you from hovering. You get to do something with your hands, taste as you go, and ask questions while the fire catches.

Expect a mix of activity and eating right away. There’s beer and wine in the mix, and you’ll be guided through what you are making and why it matters. Empanadas are not just snacks here. They are part of the opening act that sets you up to appreciate what happens later when the main grill arrives.

This is also the moment where Fede’s teaching style matters most. You’ll learn basics like building and lighting the asado fire properly. People often remember this part because it turns something you normally would not understand into a simple, visible skill.

The asado lineup: morcilla, chorizo, pork matambre, and beef

When the grilling starts, the menu is straightforward and classic. You’ll eat through a set of meats that covers the Argentine spectrum, from richer offal to straight-up beef satisfaction.

Here’s what to look for on your plate:

• Homemade empanada (your own handiwork)
• Morcilla (blood sausage)
• Chorizo
• Pork matambre
• Beef

Morcilla and chorizo are the flavors that tell you you’re not in a generic BBQ zone. If you like bold, savory notes, you’ll enjoy tasting how different sausages and cuts cook and taste on the coals.

Pork matambre brings another texture and fat balance, and beef closes the loop. The point is variety without weird curveballs. You get a real asado spread that feels complete, not like a sampler plate.

A key benefit for you: knowing what each item is helps you decide what to chase. If you like the smoky character of sausage, go back for another round. If you prefer the clean bite of beef, save your appetite for the final grill offers. You’ll get enough food that you can choose without worry, and the cooking pace gives you time to talk between bites.

Wine tasting that actually connects to the food

Argentina is all about wine, but a lot of tastings feel disconnected from dinner. Here, the wine is used like a cooking tool. You’ll taste wines that play with what’s on the grill, so you’re not just drinking, you’re pairing.

You’ll have wine during the meal, and you’ll also be drinking something besides wine since beer is included. That matters in Mendoza because wine culture can be intense if you try to drink only one thing all night. Having options keeps you comfortable while you sample.

Two practical tips if you want to get the most out of the tasting:

1. Sip, don’t chug. You want your palate fresh for the switch from sausage to beef.
2. Ask what you should notice as you try each pour. Fede’s strength is explaining the why, not just naming the wine.

Wine pairing can sound like a fancy add-on. In this setting, it becomes part of the story, which is why people come away feeling like they learned something real, not just ate and drank.

The Fernet con Coca ritual and dessert finish

Asado nights often end the same way for a reason: people want a clean, shared finale. Your experience includes a finishing toast with Fernet & Coca Cola, which is a must-try local ritual.

It’s strong, it’s distinctive, and it’s the kind of drink that either clicks or it doesn’t. If you’re curious, this is a low-risk way to test it because it’s served as part of a full dinner arc, not as the only thing you’re doing.

Then there’s dessert. The exact dessert style is not spelled out in the main details, but it’s described as a local dessert included to close the evening. You’ll want to leave room for it, especially if you tend to eat lightly at restaurants.

Also, don’t be surprised if the conversation lingers longer than you expect. The group size is small, and the host seems to genuinely enjoy sharing the evening, so it can feel like the night passes quickly.

Weather plan: rooftop mountain views or the living room fallback

Mendoza evenings can be temperamental. The experience is built for that. If it rains or it is too cold, the dinner moves indoors to the living room.

That means you should come prepared for the possibility that the mountain-view terrace moment might be limited. Even so, the “plan B” is not an afterthought. It’s explicitly part of how the night runs, so you still get your meal, wine, and the same overall experience.

If you want the best chance at those rooftop views, bring a light layer and keep an eye on the weather earlier in the day. Otherwise, treat the living room dinner as totally normal and you’ll stay relaxed.

Small-group value: what $89 buys you in Mendoza

At $89 per person for about 4 hours, the value comes from what is included and how it’s delivered. This is not just a meal. It’s a hosted evening with multiple drinks and a full asado spread, plus active participation.

What you’re paying for:

• A local host (Fede) running the show
• Hands-on empanada time
• Learning the asado fire basics
• A meat lineup that includes morcilla, chorizo, pork matambre, and beef
• Wine tasting with pairing to the meal
• Beer during the experience
• Fernet con Coca finale
• A local dessert finish

Most restaurants give you food and maybe a glass of wine. Here, you get a guided, interactive format. The small maximum group size also changes the economics of the experience. With up to 5 people, you’re more likely to get real conversation and instruction.

If you’re trying to build a Mendoza trip around wine, this is a smart add-on because it broadens the idea of what Mendoza means. It is not only tasting bottles. It is seeing how food and wine culture work together in an Argentine home setting.

Who should book this asado, and who might not

This fits well if you want:

• Hands-on cooking fun (fire building and empanadas)
• Wine tasting paired with dinner
• A relaxed evening with conversation
• A small group instead of a big tour bus scene

It may be less ideal if:

• You dislike stairs. The terrace requires climbing two flights.
• You want a strictly quiet, dining-only experience. This is social by design.
• You have strong preferences around specific foods, since morcilla and chorizo are part of the core spread.

There is also a veggie option if you ask. The experience says to request it, so if vegetarian eating is your reality, message ahead and make sure your dietary needs are understood. If you have other constraints, such as gluten intolerance, ask directly too. One guest reported that Fede accommodated gluten intolerance, so it is worth discussing your situation early.

Should you book this Mendoza asado BBQ with wine tasting?

I’d book it if you want an authentic Mendoza night that is more than a restaurant dinner. The best reasons are the same things the experience is consistently praised for: Fede’s warm hosting, the hands-on instruction, and the full meal arc that ends with a Fernet con Coca toast. The rooftop terrace adds that extra Mendoza mood with city and mountain views, and the living room plan means you are not stuck canceling if weather shifts.

Skip it if stairs are a hard no for you, or if you want a quiet, predictable meal with no participation. For everyone else, this is exactly the kind of evening that makes a trip feel personal.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Mendoza asado experience?

The experience lasts about 4 hours.

What time does it start in Mendoza?

The start time is 8:00 pm.

Where do I meet for the experience?

You meet at Av. Ejército de los Andes 346 1b, M5521JNA Mendoza, Argentina.

How much does it cost per person?

It costs $89.00 per person.

What foods and meats are included?

The asado includes homemade empanada, morcilla, chorizo, pork matambre, and beef, plus local dessert. Beer and wine are included too, along with a Fernet & Coca Cola toast at the end.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. You can ask for a veggie option.

What happens if it rains or it is too cold?

If it rains or it is too cold, the dinner takes place indoors in the living room.

Do I need to climb stairs?

Yes. To reach the terrace, you must climb two flights of stairs.

How big is the group?

The experience has a maximum of 5 travelers.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.