Mendoza economic diversification

In late July 2026 the Mendoza provincial government announced a strategic shift, promoting copper exploration alongside traditional viticulture and encouraging vermouth production from local grapes. Governor Alfredo Cornejo presented both wine and a copper‑rich rock, emphasizing that mining can coexist with the province’s historic wine industry and noting support for 65 exploration projects while assuring water resources would remain protected. At the same time, local wineries and artisanal distilleries expanded vermouth production for export to markets in the Americas and Europe.

A few days later, in early August, the city of Mendoza was awarded a Silver prize for its “San Martín y el Vino” wine‑tourism initiative at the Best of Mendoza Wine Tourism ceremony. The accolade highlighted the continued emphasis on wine‑related cultural and tourism activities, with several other local projects also receiving Gold awards, reinforcing the province’s commitment to both its longstanding wine sector and its emerging diversification efforts.