From Mendoza: 3 Wineries, Olive Oil Factory Tour & Tasting

Maipú gives you a generous taste of Mendoza’s wine country in one afternoon: three quite different wineries, followed by an olive oil stop that adds a welcome savory break. You’ll see artisanal and industrial production, try sweet wines, and compare young, aged, white, red, and rosé bottles without spending a full day away from the city.

I like the strong value, with tastings and admissions covered in the $34 price, and I like the practical pickup service from hotels and hostels in Mendoza. The main drawback is the long pickup round, which can take up to 45 minutes, and bilingual explanations may sometimes feel less clear when the guide switches quickly between English and Spanish.

Key points to know before booking

• Four tasting stops in Maipú: Visit three wineries plus an olive oil factory during a six-hour afternoon.
• A useful range of wine styles: Tastings can include young and aged wines, whites, reds, rosés, and sweet wines.
• Guides vary by departure: Dolores, Maru, Alejandro, Rocio, and other bilingual guides have led recent tours.
• Excellent price for the number of tastings: Wine, olive oil products, admissions, transport, and hotel pickup are included.
• Small-group format: The vehicle and group size vary, but bilingual groups may split at the wineries for more personal attention.
• Plan for a tipsy finish: Several wines are served at each winery, so eat beforehand and pace yourself.

Why Maipú works so well for a half-day wine tour

Mendoza has several wine areas, and Maipú is the practical choice when you want to stay close to the city. You do not spend the entire day on the road, yet you still get a look at several types of wine production.

This tour is built around contrast. One winery is artisanal, another is industrial, and another focuses on sweet wines. That mix matters because a visit to only one polished cellar can leave you with a narrow idea of how Mendoza makes and sells wine.

You also get a glimpse of the area’s olive oil trade. The final stop includes bread with olive oil, olive paste, and other delicacies. It gives your palate a change of pace after several rounds of wine, though the factory can feel crowded and modest compared with the wineries.

The tour lasts about six hours. Pickup begins at 2:00 p.m., and the group is generally back around 8:00 p.m. That timing leaves your morning free for Mendoza’s parks, plazas, or a relaxed lunch. It also makes this a good choice if you want a wine introduction without committing an entire day to it.

Pickup from Mendoza and the ride to Maipú

Hotel pickup is included from a list of central locations, including the Amérian Executive Mendoza Hotel, Soltigua Apart Hotel, Hostel Lagares, Sheraton Mendoza, Hilton Mendoza, Hotel Crillón, Hostel Central, QuickPoint, Viajes & Diseño, and Rivadavia 452.

You should wait in the lobby at least 10 minutes before the stated pickup time. The vehicle may spend up to 45 minutes collecting the rest of the group, so do not worry if the van does not arrive exactly at the first listed time.

Transport is air-conditioned and heated. Most of the time, the ride is described as clean, comfortable, and well handled. One vehicle had an air-conditioning problem, but the guide arranged a replacement. Another departure used a small sedan for five people, which felt tight, so vehicle size can vary.

Your main guide provides information about Mendoza’s geography, climate, water, and wine production while you drive. Alejandro, Dolores, Maru, and Rocio have all been praised for friendly, clear hosting on different departures. The actual guide is not guaranteed, but the tour is offered in English and Spanish.

A small caution: bilingual commentary can involve rapid switching between languages. If you are listening in English, you may occasionally miss a sentence, especially if the vehicle audio system is weak. The trip remains workable, but sitting near the guide can help.

The first winery: start with production and comparison

The opening winery is often the most technical part of the afternoon. You can expect an explanation of how grapes become wine, along with information about the winery’s own methods and products.

The first stop may be Vistandes Winery or a similar property. Exact wineries can change, so treat the named locations as examples rather than a promise. The useful point is the style of visit: you begin by learning how the wine is made before the tastings become the main event.

At each winery, the usual format includes about three wines. You may compare young and aged bottles, then move between white, red, and rosé styles. The selection depends on the cellar, but the repeated tastings let you notice how grape variety, age, and production methods affect the result.

This is not a formal wine course, and you do not need prior knowledge. The winery staff explain the process in plain terms, with the main guide adding context between stops. If you are new to Argentine wine, the structure helps you build a basic vocabulary without sitting through a long lecture.

One useful feature is that bilingual groups may split into English and Spanish groups inside the wineries. That can make the actual explanation more personal than the vehicle ride, especially when the overall group has about 15 people.

The artisanal side of Mendoza wine

A family-run or artisanal winery gives the tour a more personal feel. Instead of seeing only a large commercial operation, you get a chance to understand smaller-scale methods and the character of a local producer.

Bodega Familia Cecchin or a similar winery may be included. The experience is often more rustic than a grand estate visit, but that is part of the appeal. You can see how a smaller producer presents its wines and learn why the bottle in your glass may taste different from one made in a larger facility.

The artisanal stop is also useful for comparing production styles. A large winery may focus on volume, consistency, and distribution, while a smaller cellar may emphasize family methods, organic practices, or a more limited range. The tour does not require you to choose one approach over the other. It simply lets you see the difference.

If your group is divided by language, the explanations here may be easier to follow than a single bilingual talk for everyone. Several English-speaking visitors found the winery guides clear, funny, and attentive. Still, the quality of interpretation can vary by staff member, and one olive oil presentation had weaker English than the winery visits.

The sweet-wine cellar adds a change of pace

The third winery is described as a sweet-wine cellar. This is a smart addition because it prevents the afternoon from becoming three nearly identical tastings.

Sweet wine is not to everyone’s taste. Some people may prefer the dry reds associated with Mendoza, while others enjoy trying something softer and fruitier. Either way, this stop gives you a different category to compare, and it shows that the region’s wine culture is not limited to Malbec.

The progression also affects the mood. The first stop tends to be more technical, while later visits feel more relaxed and social. You will have tasted several wines by then, so the final winery can feel less like a classroom and more like an easy afternoon out.

Pace yourself. The tour may include 11 wines in total, though the exact count varies. Since three or four pours can be offered at a winery, you may become tipsy by the last stop. Have a meal or solid snack before pickup, drink water when available, and remember that tasting does not mean finishing every glass.

The olive oil factory: bread, paste, and a savory finish

The olive oil stop is more than an extra shop visit. You get an explanation of production and a tasting of oils with bread, olive paste, and other local foods.

Olivícola Boutique Pasrai or a similar factory may be used. Tastings can include several oils, with one visit offering five varieties and another including about four olive oil tastings. Sampling them side by side helps you notice differences in strength, texture, and flavor more clearly than simply pouring oil over a salad.

This stop works well at the end of the afternoon. After several wines, bread and savory products give you something to eat and a different set of flavors to think about. You may also buy olive products or snacks, but there is no reported pressure to purchase.

Keep your expectations sensible. The olive oil facility is smaller and less substantial than the winery visits, and it can become crowded. If you mainly want wine, this will feel like a short add-on. If you are interested in food production and want a break from wine, it is a useful part of the route.

What the tastings are really worth at $34

At $34 per person, the value is unusually strong. The price includes transport, entry to four locations, all wine tastings, and the olive oil products. You are not paying extra at every cellar just to participate.

The number of samples is the key. Three wines at each winery would already give you around nine pours, and some departures include 11 wines. Add several olive oils, bread, olive paste, and other delicacies, and the total package offers much more than a simple ride to one tasting room.

The price does not buy a luxury wine estate experience. You may ride in a smaller vehicle, share explanations with a bilingual group, and visit working facilities rather than picture-perfect properties. For a first look at Maipú, that is a fair trade.

You can also buy wine and snacks at the stops, often at reasonable prices. Since the tour includes no sales pressure, you can browse without feeling obliged to take anything home.

Group size, languages, and guide quality

The tour is promoted as small-group, though the exact number depends on the departure and vehicle. A group of about 15 has been reported, with English and Spanish speakers sometimes divided at the wineries.

That split is one of the better features. The vehicle commentary may be bilingual, but inside the cellars, separate language groups can receive more focused explanations. English-language guides have included Dolores, Maru, Alejandro, and Rocio, all noted for friendly and informative hosting on different dates.

Guide quality matters here because the wineries provide their own staff as well. Your main guide handles pickup, transport, timing, and background about Mendoza. The local winery guides then explain each producer, its methods, and its wines.

The main weak point is audio. One departure had an onboard system that did not carry commentary well. If you have trouble hearing, mention it politely and sit close to the guide. The tour can also feel slightly fragmented when the guide switches rapidly between English and Spanish, though the winery visits themselves are generally easier to follow.

Who should book this Maipú tour?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Mendoza for the first time and want a broad introduction without arranging four separate visits. It suits solo visitors especially well because transport is handled, the group setting is social, and the afternoon gives you an easy way to meet people from several countries.

It also works for couples and small groups who care more about variety and value than a polished private experience. You get three winery styles, several wine categories, and olive oil in one outing.

This is less suitable if you want a single high-end winery with a long lunch, a private sommelier, or a carefully tailored tasting. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users. Anyone sensitive to small vehicles, crowded stops, or bilingual commentary should keep those limits in mind.

For serious wine collectors, the changing winery schedule may be a drawback because you cannot count on a particular producer beyond the listed examples. For curious beginners, that flexibility is less important than seeing several types of operation.

Practical details for a smoother afternoon

Eat before pickup. The olive oil tasting includes food, but it comes late, and the wine tastings begin earlier.

Bring a way to take notes if you want to remember favorite bottles. With several pours across three wineries, names and styles can blur together by the end.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. The tour includes transport and visits to production facilities, so you should expect a practical setting rather than a formal restaurant outing.

Keep your evening flexible. The group is scheduled to return around 8:00 p.m., but the pickup process can take time at the start, and visits may not run to the exact minute.

Pickup and drop-off are offered at the same central Mendoza locations, including major hotels, hostels, QuickPoint, Viajes & Diseño, and Rivadavia 452. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later, which helps if your Mendoza plans are still shifting.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most wine variety for a modest price and prefer a relaxed afternoon to a costly private tasting. The three winery formats make the route more interesting than a one-cellar visit, while the olive oil factory gives your palate a needed change.

Skip it if you want luxury, silence, a guaranteed guide, or a single carefully chosen winery. For most first-time visitors to Mendoza, though, this is a practical Maipú introduction with generous tastings, friendly bilingual hosting, and enough variety to help you decide which wine experiences deserve more of your time.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about six hours. Pickup starts at 2:00 p.m., and return to Mendoza is scheduled for around 8:00 p.m.

How many wineries will I visit?

You will visit three wineries in Maipú. The route includes an artisanal winery, an industrial winery, and a sweet-wine cellar, though specific properties may vary.

Is the olive oil factory included?

Yes. The olive oil factory is the fourth visit on the route, and product tastings are included.

How many wines will I taste?

The usual format is three wines at each winery. The total can vary, and one departure included 11 wines across the tour.

Are wine tastings included in the price?

Yes. All wine tastings and winery admissions are included in the $34 price.

What food is included?

At the olive oil factory, you can taste bread with olive oil, olive paste, and other delicacies. The exact products may vary.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour has live guides in English and Spanish. Bilingual commentary may switch between both languages during transport, and groups may split by language at the wineries.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from listed Mendoza locations, including the Amérian Executive Mendoza Hotel, Soltigua Apart Hotel, Hostel Lagares, Sheraton Mendoza, Hilton Mendoza, Hotel Crillón, Hostel Central, QuickPoint, Viajes & Diseño, and Rivadavia 452.

How early should I wait for pickup?

You should wait in the hotel or hostel lobby at least 10 minutes before pickup. The vehicle may take up to 45 minutes to collect everyone.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.