Vendimia is the busiest time of year in South America’s wine regions, not only for the harvest happening in the vineyards but the massive parties and celebrations happening in the streets, plazas and parks! Here’s a full round up of all the Vendimia 2023 events in Argentina (including the biggest of all, Vendimia in Mendoza!), Chile, Uruguay and Peru!
Vendimia events in Argentina
FIESTA NACIONAL DE LA VENDIMIA MENDOZA
Running since 1936, Mendoza’s Fiesta de la Vendimia is one the biggest wine harvest festivals in the world and pulls in hundreds of thousands of visitors and wine lovers each year. If you are planning to visit Mendoza while the harvest festival 2023 is happening, here are some of the key dates to get in your diary:
Sunday 26th February: Bendicion de los Frutos
One of the most traditional and religious events in the harvest celebration, the harvest blessing takes place on Sunday 26th February in Prado Gaucho, Parque General San Martin this year. No tickets required.
Friday 3rd March: Via Blanca de las Reinas
The night before the big night, the Queens’ Parade is one of the most popular events of the big harvest festival weekend with an evening parade through the city centre of all the harvest queens, their princesses and their colourful floats. It’s a colourful and fun evening. No tickets required.
Saturday 4th March: Carrusel & Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia 2023
This is the big day. To kick it off, the Carrusel starts from Plaza Independencia and is an enormous parade through the city centre with all the harvest queens but also gauchos, folk dancers, and my personal favourite – the Bolivian Caporales. Expect wines, grapes and melons to be thrown with abandon! No tickets required.
In the evening, the first night of the big Vendimia show takes place in the greek Frank Romero Day theatre where the official Vendimia Queen 2023 is elected in a long, often tearful show.
Prices for the show are as follows:
- $2,000 pesos, Malbec sector;
- $1,750, Tempranillo;
- $1,300, Cabernet;
- $1,200, Bonarda and Chardonnay.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.entradaweb.com.ar/
Sunday 5th March & Monday 6th March: Harvest show repetitions
You can catch the show again (minus the queen election) on Sunday and Monday night, and tickets cost $1,000 pesos.
The local harvest festivals in Mendoza are being held on the following dates:
Friday 17th & 18th February: Mendoza capital
Sunday 19th February: Santa Rosa, Lavalle & Las Heras
Monday 20th February: Guaymallen, San Martin & Maipu
Tuesday 21st February: Gral. Alvear, Junin, Lujan de Cuyo
Wednesday 22nd February: San Carlos, La Paz, Tupungato
Thursday 23rd February: Tunuyan, San Rafael & Rivadavia
Friday 24th February: Ciudad de Mendoza, Malargue, Godoy Cruz
For more information about Fiesta de la Vendimia 2023 in Mendoza visit https://vendimia.mendoza.gov.ar/
Where can you buy tickets for Mendoza Fiesta de Vendimia 2023?
Tickets for Mendoza’s harvest festival can be purchased online at https://www.entradaweb.com.ar/
Vendimia events in Chile
FIESTA DE LA VENDIMIA COLCHAGUA
One of the biggest harvest festivals in Chile, Colchagua’s Vendimia celebration is coming back this year after a hiatus during Covid. It is held in the Plaza de Armas, Santa Cruz and takes place on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of March 2023. Expect lots of wine tastings, traditional Chilean music and food, with several Colchagua wineries popping corks on their latest releases. Grape stomping is usually part of it too.
FIESTA DE LA VENDIMIA CURICO
Further south, another massive harvest celebration in Chile is the harvest festival in Curico. This Vendimia party lasts four days and takes place over 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th March 2023 in the Plaza de Armas as well.
There’s no charge to enter or need to reserve, this is a free festival for everyone!
FIESTA DE LA VENDIMIA ISLA DE MAIPO
Probably the closest wine harvest festival to Santiago, the Vendimia celebrations in Isla de Maipo always attract a large crowd and will take place over 29th and 30th of April of 2023. Although no further details have been released, you can keep your eye on Isla de Maipo’s website.
OTHER CELEBRATIONS IN CHILE
Here are a few other dates for Vendimia celebrations around Chile:
Valle de San Antonio: 11th March 2023
Valle de Aconcagua: 25th March 2023
Casablanca: 1st & 2nd April 2023
Vendimia Fest in Santiago: 15th & 16th April 2023
Events in Uruguay
DESFILE NACIONAL DE LA VENDIMIA
The Desfile Nacional de la Vendimia will take place on Sunday 12th March in Las Piedras and will include a parade and artisanal fair with local products and a Wine Truck for tastings. Uruguay also picks their own harvest queen!
To reserve a spot visit https://www.bodegasdeluruguay.com.uy/agenda/2023-03
Events in Peru
FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE LA VENDIMIA ICA
After being suspended for four years, the Festival Internacional de la Vendimia de Ica will start on Friday 24th February with the harvest queen election. To make it even bigger this year, events with several national and international artists will take place from 9th to 12th of March in the Jose Picasso Peratta stadium.
The Ruta de los Lagares will also take place over 4th to 11th of March where people will be able to do grape stomping at the participating wineries.
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