Chacras de Coria

Thirty years ago, the Luján de Cuyo suburb of Chacras de Coria was an area of vineyards and orchards on Mendoza [1]’s southern outskirts. Some vintners and growers hang on, but trophy houses on giant lots have displaced much of this former fruit bowl.

The surviving poplar windbreaks and sycamore-lined streets hide many of the worst offenders, though, and Chacras’s stylish and diverse restaurants have made it popular for evenings out—or lunch between vineyard visits.

Baccus Vineyards Biking (Loria 5727, tel. 0261/496-1975, www.baccusbiking.com.ar [2]) offers cycling tours of vineyards in the vicinity.

In and around Chacras, the biggest attractions are the wineries; for details and visiting hours, see Wineries in Luján de Cuyo [3].

The Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Emiliano Guiñazú (San Martín 3651, Mayor Drummond, Luján de Cuyo, tel. 0261/496-0224, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Tues.–Fri., 3–8 p.m. weekends, free) takes its official name from its owner, but its popular name, Casa de Fader, comes from Fernando Fader, the artist hired to decorate this summer residence.

Set among expansive gardens, the building is an attraction in itself, with the artist’s own peeling murals and remarkable tiled indoor pools. It also holds collections of Fader’s landscapes and portraits, plus exhibitions of contemporary art, some of it very imaginative. From downtown Mendoza [1], take bus No. 10 (Grupo 1).

Directly on the plaza, Cacano Bar (Aguinaga 1120, tel. 0261/496-2018) has scheduled live music but also enjoys performances by drop-in talents like local guitarist David Lebón and, on occasion, his buddy Charly García. There’s ample space except for really big draws, but the bar food menu is only so-so.