Top Rated: Winery Tour with Lunch in Mendoza

Mendoza’s wine country is at its best when you can leave the driving to someone else. This Maipú day tour links winery visits, generous tastings, a multi-course lunch among the vineyards, and an olive oil stop in one long, food-focused outing. I like the chance to taste several Argentine wines without worrying about the road, and I like that the day includes more than cellar doors and polished tasting rooms.

The small-group limit of 12 people should keep the outing fairly personal, and guides such as Daniel Aguilar and drivers such as Gustavo have been praised for clear explanations and punctual service. The main caution is that the schedule and transport can vary: one booking began 2.5 hours late and finished in six hours, while the published plan suggests seven to eight hours.

Key points at a glance

• Maipú gives you two classic Argentine tastes in one day: wine and olive oil.
• The lunch is more than a break: expect a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, including well-liked empanadas.
• Winery visits focus on production: you can follow the process from grapes and soil through bottling.
• English-language support is available but not guaranteed for every driver: winery guides have been praised for speaking English well.
• The group is capped at 12: that is a useful middle ground between a private car and a large coach.
• The itinerary needs a little clarification: the inclusions mention two wineries, while the stop plan and some departures describe three winery visits.

Why Maipú makes a smart first wine-country outing

Maipú is Mendoza’s historic wine zone and one of the easiest areas to visit on a full-day excursion from the city. The appeal is practical. You get a concentrated look at how wine is made, rather than spending much of the day sitting in a vehicle between far-flung vineyards.

This is also Argentina’s olive oil capital, so the final stop adds a useful second layer to the day. Wine remains the main event, but olive oil tasting helps you understand the wider food culture of Mendoza. I like that balance. Four winery visits can begin to feel like one long blur of grape varieties and tasting glasses.

The tour costs $129 per person. That is not a budget outing, but the price includes round-trip hotel transport, a professional guide, drinks, winery tastings, olive oil activities, and a multi-course lunch with wine. For you, the value depends on how much you would otherwise spend arranging transport and tastings separately. It is strongest for a first visit to Mendoza, especially if you want a complete day without having to organize several reservations.

The first Maipú winery, from vineyard work to the bottle

The opening winery visit lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The focus is the production chain: where the grapes come from, how wine is made, and how the finished bottles reach the table.

At Sin Fin, one guide named Arqui has been praised for explaining the full process, from the soil through bottling. That kind of behind-the-scenes tour is more useful than simply hearing a list of tasting notes. You can connect the wine in your glass with the steps that came before it.

The visit ends with a tasting of higher-end wines. The phrase high-end does not tell you exactly which labels you will receive, since the selection may change, but it suggests that this is meant to be a proper tasting rather than a quick sample at the end of a factory tour.

Give yourself permission to ask questions. You do not need a trained palate to get something from the visit. Pay attention to how the guide explains production, then compare that information with what you taste. The tour is built around learning by seeing, smelling, and drinking, not around memorizing wine terms.

The second winery and the shape of Argentine wine culture

The second winery stop lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes, making it the longest part of the scheduled day. Here you learn more about wine production in what is described as the cradle of wine, followed by another tasting.

A longer stop matters because it leaves room for both the facilities and the tasting. At Atilio Avena, an English-speaking guide has provided a full tour before a three-course lunch with wine pairing. The exact order of stops can vary, but the experience points to a useful pattern: one winery may emphasize production, while another gives more time to food and table service.

Some departures have included three wineries, while the published inclusions refer to visits to two wineries. That is worth checking before you book if the number of cellars matters to you. The supplied stop schedule also lists a third winery-style stop for lunch, so the wording is not perfectly tidy.

I would not judge the day only by how many wineries you visit. Two well-paced visits can be better than three rushed ones. The late-start experience shows the risk: a full day was compressed to six hours, which made the outing feel less relaxed. Wine country rewards time at the table, not a race to collect tasting rooms.

Lunch among the vineyards, with wine in the glass

The lunch stop in Coquimbito lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes. It takes place at a boutique winery among the vineyards and includes a multi-course tasting menu with wine.

This is the heart of the outing for anyone who sees wine as part of a meal, not just a drink. A three-course menu and wine pairing turn the tasting into a proper Argentine lunch. Empanadas have received special praise, and the menu has been described as generous and delicious. One departure included seven wines across the day, with glasses refilled often, so pace yourself.

That last point is practical. You are not driving, thanks to the included return transfer, but a long series of tastings can catch up with you. Eat steadily, drink water when you can, and do not feel obliged to finish every pour. Bottled water is not included, so bring money or ask your guide how water is handled during the day.

The lunch also gives the day a better rhythm. After standing, listening, and tasting at wineries, sitting down for a meal lets you slow down. If you are choosing between a quick winery circuit and this longer format, the lunch is one of the clearest reasons to choose this one.

Finishing with Mendoza’s olive oil tradition

The final stop lasts about one hour and visits an olive oil factory in Maipú. This is not a token add-on. Maipú is identified as Argentina’s capital of olive oil, and the stop shows how local producers work with another major crop.

The contrast is useful. Wine tastings often focus on aroma, acidity, body, and finish. Olive oil has its own set of smells, flavors, and textures, and tasting it after several wines can reset your attention. One departure even added an olive oil tasting during the route, which shows that the exact timing may shift.

I like ending here because it broadens the day. You leave with a better sense of Maipú as a food-producing area, not simply a string of wineries. If your main goal is to visit as many famous wine labels as possible, this hour may feel like time taken away from wine. If you enjoy food traditions, it earns its place.

Hotel transfers and the small-group setup

Round-trip hotel transfer is included, which is a major part of the $129 value. Mendoza wine country is no place to improvise your return after a day of tastings. A driver also lets you focus on the scenery and conversation instead of maps, traffic, and alcohol limits.

The maximum group size is 12. In the best case, that gives you a social day without the impersonal feel of a large bus. Several drivers have added local history during the ride, and Michael, who handled one departure, also used the driving time to talk about Argentina and Canada while speaking clear English.

Still, do not assume every driver will be an English-speaking guide. One booking had an Uber driver arrive after a transport problem, and that driver did not provide the expected English-language guiding. The operator later explained that the day had become a personalized departure because no other passengers were booked, but the change was not communicated clearly at pickup.

That experience is the main warning attached to the tour. Most of the information points to capable drivers and winery staff, but transport arrangements can change. If language support is essential for you, confirm the pickup and guide details close to departure.

Timing, pace, and what can go wrong

The advertised length is about seven to eight hours. That is a full day, but it is reasonable for four stops, hotel transfers, tastings, and lunch.

A normal day should give you enough time to enjoy each winery. The planned schedule lists about 6 hours and 15 minutes at the stops, before adding driving time. That leaves little room for major delays. A pickup problem caused one day to begin 2.5 hours late, and the tour was then shortened to six hours.

This is not a reason to reject the experience, but it is a reason to avoid placing an important evening reservation too close to the expected return. Keep your later plans flexible. Also, confirmation is normally sent at booking, but reservations made within two days of departure may be confirmed within 48 hours and remain subject to availability.

The experience requires a minimum number of bookings to operate. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, refunds and changes are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this wine tour

I would choose this outing if you are visiting Mendoza for the first time and want a broad introduction without renting a car. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who care about food as much as wine.

It also works well if you want English-language explanations at the wineries. The local winery guides have been praised for clear English and thorough tours, and the tasting rooms can provide detail that a general city excursion cannot.

You may want another option if your goal is a highly controlled private itinerary, a particular famous winery, or a guaranteed English-speaking driver. The operator may adjust the route, and the exact number of winery visits is not stated consistently. You should also think twice if you dislike long lunches or repeated tastings. This is a relaxed food-and-wine day, not a quick checklist.

Should you book the Maipú wine and lunch tour?

I would book it for the combination of production tours, a real lunch, hotel transport, and olive oil. Those pieces make the day feel rounded, and the $129 price is fair when you count the meal, tastings, guide, and driving.

Before paying, confirm three points: the number of wineries, the pickup time, and whether your driver will speak English. If those details are clear, this is a strong choice for a first taste of Mendoza’s Maipú wine country. If the operator cannot clarify them, leave room in your schedule and treat the route as flexible.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour takes place in Mendoza, mainly in the Maipú area, with a stop in Coquimbito.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $129 per person.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transfer is included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

How many wineries are visited?

The included details specify visits to two wineries, while the stop schedule and some departures describe three winery visits. Confirm the exact number when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A multi-course lunch with a tasting menu at a winery is included.

Are wine tastings included?

Yes. The tour includes tastings at the winery visits and wine with the lunch.

Is bottled water included?

No. Bottled water is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.