Visit & Tasting at Salentein + Lunch at La Azul

Salentein gives this day its grand opening: a handsome winery, mountain views, and four carefully chosen wines. Then La Azul brings the scale down to something more personal, with a long Argentine lunch and wine served in a smaller family setting. The contrast is the point.

I like the private round-trip transport, since the Uco Valley is about 1.5 hours from Mendoza and wine tasting is a poor match for driving. I also like the two-stop plan: Salentein covers wine production and design, while La Azul focuses on food, conversation, and time at the table.

The main concern is reliability. One booking had La Azul replaced at the last minute, with another restaurant offered for an extra $70 per person. Confirm both wineries, the lunch menu, and the total price before you go.

Key points at a glance

• Four Salentein wines: Taste one Salentein Reserve, two Salentein Númina wines, and one sparkling wine.
• Two very different winery visits: Salentein feels grand and architectural, while La Azul offers a smaller, family-run setting.
• Seven hours door to door: Allow 1.5 hours each way between Mendoza and the Uco Valley, plus the visits and lunch.
• A full paired lunch: La Azul is not just a quick food stop. Lunch is scheduled for 2.5 hours.
• Private transport included: Pickup and return are provided from your accommodation within the covered Mendoza area.
• Check the restaurant before departure: A past booking was changed from La Azul to another winery, with an added charge.

A full day built around two sides of Mendoza wine

At $244 per person, this is not a budget winery outing. You are paying for private transport, insurance, a guided Salentein visit, four tastings, and a full wine-paired lunch. The price can make sense if you want a simple, organized day with no driving, no restaurant planning, and no need to compare separate winery bookings.

The value is less clear if you mainly want to taste wine. The journey from Mendoza takes about 1.5 hours each way, so roughly three hours of the seven-hour day are spent in the vehicle. I would choose this tour for the complete food-and-wine experience, not for a fast tasting.

The day begins with pickup in Mendoza in a newer private vehicle. The exact pickup time depends on availability, and you should be ready at your accommodation within the covered service area. A private car also gives you a quieter ride than a large shared coach, though the quality of the day still depends on the assigned driver.

One driver received especially strong praise for explaining local history and facts about the wineries along the route. Another was described as attentive and helpful. Since no driver names are provided, you should not expect a particular person, but a good driver can make the long transfers feel like part of the outing rather than dead time.

The long road to Salentein in the Uco Valley

The first transfer lasts about 1.5 hours. That is a real commitment, but it takes you out to the Uco Valley, where the winery setting is one of the main attractions. You will want comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera.

The Uco Valley views are a strong reason to make the trip. At Salentein, the setting and architecture receive as much attention as the wine. One account described the winery as especially beautiful from an architectural point of view, and that is useful context: this is not simply a production room with a tasting counter.

The tour covers both the winery and vineyards. You will learn about Salentein’s winemaking process and its place in Argentine wine production before moving on to the tasting. The supplied schedule allows 1.5 hours for the visit and tasting together.

That timing may feel tight if you want to linger over every room or ask many questions. One booking described the Salentein tasting as rushed. I would treat the visit as a well-organized introduction, not a slow private lesson in every detail of the cellar.

Four wines, with Salentein Reserve and Númina

The tasting includes four wines:

• One Salentein Reserve
• Two Salentein Númina wines
• One sparkling wine

This is a useful spread because it gives you more than four versions of the same style. The sparkling wine changes the pace, while the Reserve and Númina pours let you compare two key parts of Salentein’s range.

The tasting is guided, so you are not left to guess what is in your glass. Still, the schedule means you may need to stay attentive and move along with the group or guide. If you prefer long pours and quiet time with each wine, this may feel brisk.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Personal expenses are not included, so plan to pay separately for anything beyond the listed tasting and lunch. The tour also operates in all weather, which matters in an open vineyard setting. Check the forecast and dress for sun, wind, or cooler conditions.

A five-minute transfer to La Azul

After Salentein, the transfer to La Azul is listed as only five minutes. That short hop is one of the most practical features of the schedule. You do not spend another long stretch in the car before lunch, and the second winery becomes a natural continuation of the day.

La Azul offers a different mood from Salentein. It is described as a smaller, family-style winery, and that gives the lunch more personal character. The meal is the heart of this stop, with Argentine cooking paired with wine in a scenic setting.

Lunch lasts about 2.5 hours. That is long enough for the meal to feel like a proper part of the trip rather than something squeezed between appointments. You can expect several courses under the full paired lunch arrangement, although the exact menu is not provided.

One useful detail is that a booking at a winery on the same route included a choice of wine range with lunch. The available details do not confirm that exact choice at La Azul, so ask in advance if you care about selecting the wines or changing the pairing. Do not assume that the lunch menu or wine selection will be identical on every date.

The La Azul confirmation issue matters

The biggest practical warning concerns the second winery. A booking for Salentein and La Azul was changed because La Azul was not available. Several alternatives were offered by message, and the replacement became Andeluna with a Sabores Andinos menu, at an additional $70 per person for a group of three.

That is more than a minor schedule change. The restaurant is a central part of the experience, and a substitute can alter the food, setting, wine selection, and total cost. If La Azul is important to you, contact Futuro Travels before the cancellation deadline and ask for written confirmation that La Azul is secured at the advertised price.

This point is especially important because the overall experience has an average rating of 4.1 from 12 ratings, but the scores are uneven. Several bookings received top marks for the driver, food, setting, and overall day. One booking reported a cancellation without a refund, while another objected to the replacement winery and extra cost.

I would not ignore those warnings simply because the itinerary looks attractive. Ask three direct questions before you leave Mendoza: Is La Azul confirmed? Is the full paired lunch included at $244 per person? Will any replacement require an added payment?

Returning to Mendoza after lunch

The return transfer takes another 1.5 hours. After a long lunch and several tastings, the private vehicle is a real advantage. You can relax rather than watch the road, and the seven-hour schedule gives you a full day without requiring an evening return after an especially late dinner.

The total pace is fairly clear:

• About 1.5 hours from Mendoza to Salentein
• About 1.5 hours at Salentein for the visit and tasting
• About five minutes to La Azul
• About 2.5 hours for lunch
• About 1.5 hours back to Mendoza

The listed times add up to a little more than seven hours, so allow flexibility around pickup and return. Winery appointments, traffic, and lunch service can shift the timetable. Do not schedule a tight evening flight or another fixed activity immediately afterward.

What the $244 price really buys you

The strongest part of the price is the private transport. A public transport plan would be awkward for two remote wineries, and hiring a car creates a safety problem after wine tasting. The vehicle also removes the work of arranging two separate winery appointments.

The included meal adds real value. A full paired lunch can become expensive when booked separately, especially at a respected winery. The tour also includes insurance, the winery and vineyard visit, and four Salentein wines.

Still, $244 is a premium price for a seven-hour outing. I would book it if you want convenience and a polished food-and-wine day with a private vehicle. I would compare alternatives if you are comfortable arranging your own driver, want more time at one winery, or care most about the lowest possible cost.

The price does not cover personal expenses. Bring a card or cash for extras, but the listed lunch and tasting should be covered as described. Since the substitution example involved an added charge, confirm the final amount in writing.

Who will enjoy this day most

This experience suits you if you want to see a major Mendoza winery, eat a substantial Argentine lunch, and let someone else handle the driving. It is also a good fit if you prefer a private vehicle and want support in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Chinese.

You should have realistic expectations about physical comfort. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and the day includes vineyard and winery walking. The information is inconsistent on wheelchair access: one section says wheelchair access is available, while another says the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would contact the provider before booking to confirm the vehicle, paths, tasting rooms, and bathrooms for your needs.

The tour is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back problems. The long transfers and winery walking may be the reason, but the supplied information does not explain the specific restriction. If either applies to you, ask the provider before payment.

Pets and smoking are not allowed. The tour runs in all weather, so pack sun protection and clothing that can handle changing conditions.

Cancellation and booking checks

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold your plans without paying immediately. Confirmation is provided at booking.

Those terms are helpful, but they do not remove the need to verify the actual program. I would save the confirmation showing Salentein, La Azul, lunch, transport, and the total price. If the second winery changes, ask what refund or replacement terms apply before accepting it.

Should you book Salentein and La Azul?

Book this tour if you want an easy, full-day Mendoza wine outing with private transport, a respected winery, four tastings, and a long lunch in a smaller setting. The strongest parts are the contrast between Salentein and La Azul, the scenic Uco Valley setting, and the freedom from driving after wine.

I would hesitate if your priority is a slow tasting, a guaranteed intimate group, or absolute certainty about the lunch venue without extra confirmation. The reported rushed tasting and La Azul substitution are practical concerns, not small details.

My advice is simple: reserve it only after confirming La Azul and the $244 total in writing. If those details are secure, this is a convenient way to combine Mendoza wine, Argentine food, and mountain country in one day.

FAQ

How long does the Salentein and La Azul experience last?

The listed duration is seven hours. The schedule includes about 1.5 hours from Mendoza to Salentein, 1.5 hours for the Salentein visit and tasting, five minutes to La Azul, 2.5 hours for lunch, and 1.5 hours back to Mendoza.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private round-trip pickup and return are included from your accommodation within the covered Mendoza service area.

How many wines are included at Salentein?

The guided tasting includes four wines: one Salentein Reserve, two Salentein Númina wines, and one sparkling wine.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes. A full paired lunch at La Azul is included. Personal expenses are not included.

What languages are available?

The tour offers live guides in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Chinese.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience also offers a reserve-now-pay-later option.

Is the experience suitable for wheelchair users?

The supplied information is inconsistent. One section says wheelchair access is available, while another says the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact the provider before booking to confirm the specific arrangements.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a camera, and comfortable clothing. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the forecast.