There is one time of year that Mendoza triples in size and everyone is firmly focused on celebrating the magic of vino: the Harvest Festival! This year’s Vendimia Festival comes a little later than usual but you should already pencil the dates in your diary and get ready to try and score your tickets when they go on sale on February 27th at the Hipodromo de Mendoza.
Here are the dates so you can get ahead of the game:
March 2nd: The blessing of the fruit. A big ceremony in San Martin Park with a blessing of the harvest fruit. This event is free with no tickets.
March 7th: Night time parade with the Queens on their different floats throughout the city. From 9pm, free.
March 8th: Morning parade with the Vendimia Queens and performers going throughout the city from 10am, free.
March 8th: The first night of performances kicks off in the Greek amphitheatre at 10pm where the Vendimia Queen 2014 is elected and a show with music, theatre and dance carries on for a couple hours. Tickets required.
March 9, 10 and 11th: Repetition of the show (without the Queens). Tickets required.
Put these dates in your diary now, and prepare to head over to the Hipodromo on the 27th to score your tickets. Prices range from 40 - 100 pesos.
Amanda Barnes is a British journalist living in Mendoza and will be celebrating her 5th Vendimia here this year.