Mendoza Travel Guide: History of Mendoza

Various indigenous groups occupied the Mendoza area prior to Spanish arrival; the Incas, the Puelches and most notably the Huarpes - a peaceful tribe who had developed a sophisticated system of irrigation and agriculture.

The city was first colonized from Chile in 1561 and was named Mendoza by Pedro del Castillo in the name of the Chilean governor. At first the Spaniards found it difficult to continue the agricultural traditions of the natives and so were not committed to developing the area.
With the introduction of vineyards and olive groves, however, it soon became commercially viable to farm here and trade with the region flourished. This boon was also supported by slave labor and the rerouting of rivers for irrigation.

After becoming governor of the newly created Cuyo state, the famous Argentinean José de San Martin based himself in Mendoza. Here he would raise an army that would lead him to success in both the Chilean and Peruvian wars of independence against Spain.

Earthquake and fire all but destroyed the city in 1861; much of the modern city consists of low buildings and wide streets to prevent future misfortune.

The new urban design in combination with the introduction of a railroad consolidated the city’s role as the economic center of the region.

In 2008, National Geographic listed Mendoza as number 10 in the top historic sites of the world, showing recognition for the fascinating past of this important wine growing region.