Mendoza: Winebike Tasting Tour with Optional Lunch

Mendoza’s wine country gets more entertaining when you trade a standard minibus for a multi-bike, a pedal-powered vehicle built for a group. You’ll visit Carinae, La Melessca, and Tempus Alba, with wine, mountain views, ham and cheese, and plenty of fresh air along the way. I especially like the mix of winery visits and local food. The olive oil tasting gives the day more range than a wine-only outing.

The other strong point is the social mood. Guides such as Nico have been praised for keeping the day friendly and informative, and solo visitors can easily meet other English-speaking participants. My main caution is simple: this is a lively group outing, not a quiet, technical wine seminar. The bike also requires enough mobility for pedaling and climbing aboard.

Key points to know

• Carinae begins the day: Start at 10 am at one of Argentina’s oldest active wineries, with a guided visit and tasting.
• The multi-bike is the main event: Pedal through vineyard country while sharing wine, ham, cheese, music, and views with the group.
• La Melessca adds olive oil: Tour the factory and taste regional olive oils, Aceto Balsámico, bread, and more wine.
• Tempus Alba brings a major wine name: Visit a large Mendoza producer known for exporting wine across South America and beyond.
• Lunch is an option, not an automatic inclusion: Choose the lunch version for a three-course Argentine meal with drinks at Finca el Pino.
• The day favors fun over fine-wine analysis: You’ll learn about Mendoza and its wine culture, but the commentary may not satisfy a serious wine specialist.

A playful way to enter Mendoza wine country

The appeal here is not just the wine. It is the way the day links vineyards, local products, old estates, and a slightly ridiculous but very memorable vehicle. You pedal together on a multi-bike, stopping for tastings as you move through the countryside.

That format changes the mood. A regular winery tour can feel formal, with one tasting room followed by another. Here, you are out in the open, sharing the ride and talking with the people around you. The day has a built-in social quality that suits solo visitors, couples, and groups of friends.

The tour lasts about four and a half hours. It begins at 10 am at Carinae, and you arrange your own way to the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so leave enough time to reach Carinae before the start.

The $100 price deserves a close look. You are paying for the guided multi-bike ride, winery visits, tastings, and olive oil stop. The full Argentine lunch is included only if you choose the lunch option. Since the day includes several tastings and a substantial meal on the longer package, it can offer fair value for people who want a single organized half-day in Mendoza.

Carinae sets the tone with wine and local history

Carinae is the first stop and the meeting point. It is described as Argentina’s oldest active winery, which gives the opening visit a sense of place before the group gets on the bike.

You begin with a guided tour and wine tasting. The useful part is the introduction to how Mendoza connects wine, agriculture, and local identity. Guides speak English or Spanish, and the day’s commentary combines wine information with stories about Mendoza and its development.

This is not presented as a polished, formal tasting for professionals. Instead, expect an accessible introduction, with several wines and an explanation of what you are drinking. One particularly memorable tasting comparison described the wines as fitting different times of day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That sort of approach keeps the subject friendly and easy to follow.

Carinae is also where you get your first sense of the group. If you are traveling alone, this helps. You are not waiting until the end of the tour to meet people. The shared vehicle and tasting format encourage conversation from the start.

The multi-bike ride is the day’s signature

After the opening visit, you climb onto the multi-bike and pedal through the vineyard area. This is the part that makes the tour different from a standard wine route.

The vehicle is built for a group, so you are not cycling alone through the countryside. The point is shared motion, not athletic exercise or a long-distance ride. Still, you need comfortable clothes and enough mobility to board, pedal, and move around during the stops.

The views are a major part of the ride. You see vineyard rows and, when conditions allow, mountain views in the distance. The fresh air gives the day a welcome break from tasting rooms. It also makes the route feel connected to the land that produces the wine.

A ham and cheese platter is served as you pedal. That is a practical touch, since wine arrives early and often. It also reflects the relaxed style of the outing. You are not being rushed from lecture to lecture. You are eating, drinking, riding, and talking as the route unfolds.

The quantity of wine can be generous. For some people, that is a major benefit. For others, it means you should pace yourself and use the food and water breaks wisely. The tour is fun, but the combination of several tastings, drinks with lunch, and a warm day in the open air can catch up with you.

La Melessca adds olive oil and balsamic vinegar

The stop at La Melessca keeps the day from becoming a procession of wine labels. You tour the olive oil factory and learn how another important regional product is made.

The tasting includes olive oils, Aceto Balsámico, and other regional products. Bread is served with the olive oil, and this part of the day can be especially interesting if you enjoy food production as much as wine.

I like this stop because it gives your palate a reset. After several wine samples, the sharp, grassy, fruity, or peppery qualities of olive oil offer a different way to think about agriculture and flavor. You also gain a better sense of Mendoza as a food-producing area, rather than seeing it only as a wine destination.

The olive oil visit can also help if the multi-bike is unavailable on a particular day. One past departure had a bike breakdown, and the program substituted an olive oil tasting. That does not guarantee the same arrangement every time, but it shows why the La Melessca stop has value beyond being a brief add-on.

Tempus Alba brings a bigger Mendoza name

The next winery is Tempus Alba, described as the largest wine exporter in South America. Its bottles are distributed widely, so this stop introduces you to a producer with a far broader reach than a small family winery.

You receive a guided tasting and more information about the winery and its wines. The setting adds contrast to Carinae. The first stop gives you an older, more intimate starting point, while Tempus Alba shows the scale of a major producer.

If you are new to Argentine wine, this is a useful pairing. Mendoza is closely linked with Malbec, but the region’s wine story is larger than one grape. The guides help place the wines within Mendoza’s history and present-day production.

Still, set your expectations correctly. If you are looking for lengthy technical commentary on fermentation, soil types, vintages, or winemaking methods, this may feel light. The strongest focus is the overall Mendoza wine experience, not formal wine education. I would choose a specialist tasting elsewhere if detailed analysis is your main goal.

Add lunch at Finca el Pino for a fuller day

The lunch option takes the outing beyond tastings. After the visits, you sit down for a three-course Argentine meal with drinks at Finca el Pino.

The meal includes salad and dessert, and a vegetarian option is available. Reports from the tour describe generous portions, with one meal reaching four courses and proving difficult to finish. You should arrive hungry if you choose this version.

Finca el Pino also has a sense of place. Ancient trees surround the restaurant, which once belonged to the landholder of all Coquimbito and the person who built the train to the Andes. That detail gives lunch more character than a simple restaurant stop.

The atmosphere is festive and social, with little waiting time reported during the meal. The food is part of the attraction, not just fuel after the bike ride. If you want the most complete version of the day, I would choose the lunch package.

Pay attention when booking, though. The lunch option is separate from the basic tour, and confusion can arise if the package details are not clear. Make sure your confirmation specifically says Tour with Lunch if that meal matters to you.

What the guides add to the experience

The guides are central to this tour’s success. You are relying on them to explain the wineries, keep the group moving, pour the tastings, and maintain a good mood on the bike.

Nico has been singled out as an excellent host, and the tour is designed for guides who can handle both information and group energy. English and Spanish are available, so you can choose the language that works best for you when booking.

The strongest guiding style here is conversational. You learn about Mendoza’s wine culture, local history, and the places you visit without sitting through a long classroom talk. That makes the day easy for first-time wine visitors.

I would not choose this tour solely for expert-level wine instruction. The comments are broad and useful, but the focus is more on the bike, the region, and having a good time. Think of it as a wine-country outing with education included, not a professional tasting course.

Who will enjoy this Mendoza tour most

This works best for adults who want activity, food, and wine in one package. It is particularly well suited to:

• Solo visitors who want an easy social setting
• Couples and friends looking for a playful half-day
• First-time visitors to Mendoza
• People who enjoy local products beyond wine
• Wine drinkers who prefer an informal tasting
• Anyone who wants lunch included after the route

The tour is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. The multi-bike requires active participation, and comfortable clothing is recommended.

You should also think about heat, alcohol, and energy. The tour includes repeated tastings and time outdoors. If you do not enjoy group activities, pedaling, or a lively drinking atmosphere, a smaller private winery visit may suit you better.

Practical details before you reserve

Bring your passport or another accepted ID card. Wear comfortable clothes that let you pedal and move easily.

You meet at CarinaE S.A. at 10 am, and transportation to the meeting point is not included. The activity runs for 270 minutes, although the exact starting time should be confirmed when you check availability.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those options help if your Mendoza schedule is still shifting.

The rating is 4.1 from 73 reviews, which suggests a strong but not flawless experience. The most consistent praise centers on the fun of the multi-bike, generous wine, friendly guides, scenic setting, olive oil tasting, and lunch. The main limitations are the physical demands, the group format, and the lighter wine commentary.

Should you book the Winebike Tasting Tour?

I would book this if you want Mendoza wine country to feel social, active, and easygoing. The multi-bike is unusual, the olive oil stop adds variety, and the lunch option turns a series of tastings into a complete half-day outing.

Choose the lunch package if you want the best value and a substantial Argentine meal. If your main goal is serious wine study, skip this in favor of a more specialized tasting. But for a first look at Mendoza, especially as a solo visitor or part of a fun group, this is an appealing way to combine scenery, local food, history, and wine without taking a full day.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at CarinaE S.A. in Mendoza Province.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated meeting time is 10 am. Check availability for the exact starting time when booking.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours.

Is transportation to Carinae included?

No. Transportation to and from the meeting point, including hotel pickup and drop-off, is not included.

Which languages are available?

The live guide can conduct the tour in English or Spanish.

Is lunch included in the standard tour?

Lunch is included only when you select the Tour with Lunch option.

What does the lunch option include?

It includes a three-course Argentine meal with drinks, salad, and dessert at Finca el Pino. A vegetarian option is available.

What food is served during the bike ride?

A ham and cheese platter is provided during the multi-bike portion.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card and wear comfortable clothes.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility?

No. The activity is not recommended for people with limited mobility and is not suitable for wheelchair users. Children under five are also not permitted.