Horseback ride through vineyards followed by gourmet lunch

Mendoza is famous for wine, but this outing gives you a slower, more local way to see it: a 90-minute horseback ride through vineyards, olive groves, farm roads, and along the Mendoza River, followed by a polished lunch at Club Tapiz. The horses are described as calm and easy to handle, making this a gentle introduction even if you have not ridden for years.

I like the smart two-part design. First comes fresh air and rural scenery in Lunlunta, then a multi-course BBQ lunch with paired wines at Terruño. I also like the small group, capped at eight, and the capable guides, including Victoria, Flor, Vicky, Charlie, and Exequiel.

The main drawback is the sun. The ride is outdoors for an hour and a half with little information about shade, so bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. Also confirm your pickup time: the detailed schedule says 11 a.m., while the meeting information lists 10 a.m.

Key points at a glance

• Gentle horses for beginners: The ride is flat, relaxed, and suitable for people with little or rusty riding experience.
• Southern Maipu beyond the tasting rooms: You pass vineyards, olive groves, orchards, and the Mendoza River around Lunlunta.
• A proper lunch, not just a snack: Club Tapiz serves several courses with wine pairings, dessert, coffee, and a small sweet finish.
• Small group, personal feel: No more than eight people join the outing, with a guide and local gaucho support.
• Transport is built in: Pickup, the drive to the stables, and the return to Mendoza are included in an air-conditioned minivan.
• Good value for a full day: At $210 per person, the price covers transport, riding, lunch, wine, other drinks, and insurance.

Why this Mendoza outing works so well

Many wine excursions keep you inside wineries and tasting rooms. This one begins outside them, with a horse moving at a walking pace through southern Maipu. You see the setting that makes Mendoza’s wine culture possible: irrigated fields, rows of vines, olive trees, country properties, and the broad route of the Mendoza River.

I like that the ride is not sold as an advanced equestrian expedition. It is a relaxed countryside outing. The horses are described as docile and well behaved, and the route is flat and safe. That matters if you are a first-time rider, traveling with family, or returning to the saddle after a long break.

The day also avoids a common problem with combination tours: one activity does not feel tacked onto the other. The ride gives you a look at rural Mendoza, while lunch at Club Tapiz gives the day a refined finish. You get two different sides of the region without packing in too many stops.

From Mendoza City to Lunlunta by minivan

Pickup is provided from hotels and hostels in Mendoza City or nearby areas. The drive to the stables in Lunlunta takes about 45 minutes, so the transfer is part of the experience rather than a quick hop across town.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, a useful detail during Mendoza’s sunny seasons. Guides such as Charlie, Ricky, Victoria, and Anna have been praised for being engaging and helpful during the drive and throughout the day. The company may also use a multilingual guide, so you should mention any language needs when booking.

The supplied details give two different start times. The day-by-day description says hotel pickup at 11 a.m., while the formal meeting information lists 10 a.m. at Gral. Espejo 266 in Mendoza. I would confirm the exact pickup time and point before departure, especially if you are staying outside the city center.

Lunlunta on horseback: vineyards, olives, and river country

The ride begins around noon and lasts about 90 minutes. The route takes you through southern Maipu, especially the Lunlunta area, with views of vineyards, olive groves, orchards, and the banks of the Mendoza River.

This is not a fast ride. The appeal is the setting and the pace. From the saddle, you can take in the agricultural pattern of the area without a bus window between you and the fields. The route also reaches parts of the countryside that are less practical to visit independently.

Your local horse guide or gaucho handles the riding side of the outing, while the main tour guide helps explain the region. Past guides have included Victoria, Flor, Vicky, Exequiel Quiro, Cesar, Elío, and Walter. The exact guide can vary, but the experience is designed to include both horse handling and local context.

The route is generally easy, but you should still expect direct sun. One person specifically noted the need for plenty of sunscreen during the 90-minute ride. Wear comfortable trousers and closed shoes, and bring a hat if you have one. Bottled water is not included, so bring your own or ask your guide about the best way to carry it.

What first-time riders should expect

The strongest practical point here is the calm nature of the horses. The ride is suited to beginners and to people who have not been on a horse in 20 years. Guides are described as patient, attentive, and careful with riders who need a little extra help.

You should not book this expecting galloping or a demanding trail. This is a laid-back ride through flat rural surroundings. That makes it a good choice for couples, families with adult supervision for children, and solo visitors who want an activity that is social without being crowded.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour has a maximum of eight participants, which helps the guide keep the pace manageable. Small groups also make it easier to ask questions or tell the guide if you are uncomfortable on the horse.

The ride is weather dependent. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Club Tapiz and the long lunch at Terruño

After the ride, you head to Terruño, the restaurant at Club Tapiz, a winery and wine lodge in the Mendoza wine country. The setting gives the second half of the day a clear change of mood: leave the reins behind, settle at the table, and take your time over lunch.

The meal is multi-course and includes BBQ-style dishes, wine pairings, dessert, coffee or tea, and a small sweet finish. The food and service have drawn especially strong praise, with Luisa mentioned for attentive service. You can expect wine to accompany the meal rather than appear as a single quick tasting.

The format is worth noting. This is not a rushed winery stop with one small plate and a tasting glass. Lunch is a major part of the six-hour schedule, and the paired wines give you a fuller sense of how Mendoza’s food and wine fit together.

Vegetarian food is available, but you must request it when booking. The same applies to other dietary requirements. Alcoholic drinks are included, so plan your pace sensibly, especially after an outdoor ride in the sun.

How the route fits together

The itinerary names several parts of Mendoza’s wine country: Lunlunta, Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo, Chacras de Coria, and the Mendoza River. These are best understood as the areas connected by the outing rather than a string of formal sightseeing stops.

• Lunlunta: This is the main riding area, with vineyards, olive groves, farm areas, and river scenery.
• Maipu: One of Mendoza’s key wine districts, and the broader setting for the morning ride.
• Mendoza River: The ride reaches its banks, adding a natural feature to an otherwise agricultural route.
• Lujan de Cuyo: Part of the wider wine-country context around the lunch and transfer route.
• Chacras de Coria: Another nearby wine-country area included in the route description.
• Tapiz Winery: The destination for the meal, wine, and estate setting.

Do not expect a formal winery tour at every one of these places. The experience centers on riding in Lunlunta and dining at Club Tapiz.

Is $210 a fair price?

At $210 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value comes from the amount bundled into the price: hotel or meeting-point transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, a 90-minute ride, a small group, lunch, wine pairings, coffee or tea, alcoholic drinks, and insurance.

You are also buying convenience. Organizing a horse ride in rural Maipu, arranging transport, and finding a high-quality lunch would take time and could cost nearly as much once taxis and food are added. Here, the horse activity and the meal are connected into one straightforward day.

The price makes the most sense if you want both horseback riding and a serious food-and-wine meal. If you only want a basic trail ride, it will feel expensive. If you are already planning several winery tastings, the ride adds something different instead of repeating another cellar visit.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 70 reviews, with 99 percent recommending it. Those numbers point to very consistent satisfaction, especially with the horses, guides, lunch, and included transport. They do not remove the need to consider the sun, the fixed schedule, and the relatively high price.

Timing, meeting point, and return to Mendoza

The detailed schedule places the ride at noon, lunch after the ride, and departure back toward Mendoza at about 4:30 p.m. The drive back takes about an hour, with arrival around 5:30 p.m.

The formal meeting point is Gral. Espejo 266, M5500MJF Mendoza, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. At the same time, the tour description says hotel or hostel pickup is included in Mendoza City and nearby areas. Confirm which arrangement applies to your reservation.

The full outing lasts about six hours. That makes it easy to fit into a Mendoza itinerary without giving up the entire day, though the return time leaves little room for another afternoon appointment.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded. Since weather can affect the ride, this policy is useful, but check the local cutoff time when booking.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this for a couple who wants one memorable day combining countryside, horses, and wine. It also works well for a family with older children, provided an adult accompanies each child and everyone is comfortable spending time outdoors.

Solo visitors should find the group size friendly without feeling like a large coach tour. The six-person groups described in past outings suggest that the eight-person limit can feel personal, though the actual number may vary.

This is also a strong fit for nervous or inexperienced riders. The horses are calm, the route is flat, and the guides are used to helping people who are new to riding. You should skip it if you want a fast, technical, or mountainous horseback trip.

Service animals are allowed. Tell the operator about dietary restrictions when booking, and request a vegetarian meal in advance.

Should you book the ride and lunch?

Book it if you want a relaxed, well-organized day that shows Mendoza beyond the tasting room. The best features are the gentle horses, the quiet route through vineyards and olive groves, the small group, and the substantial lunch at Club Tapiz.

I would not pick it for a low-cost activity, a short tasting, or serious horseback training. For everyone else, the pairing of rural Maipu and a polished wine-country meal is the reason to go. Confirm the pickup time, carry water and sunscreen, and leave room in your afternoon for the full return transfer.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately six hours, including transport, the 90-minute horseback ride, lunch, and the return journey to Mendoza.

Where does the activity start?

The formal meeting point is Gral. Espejo 266, M5500MJF Mendoza, Argentina. Hotel and hostel pickup is also described as available in Mendoza City and nearby areas, so confirm the arrangement for your booking.

What time does pickup begin?

The detailed schedule says pickup is at 11 a.m., while the meeting information lists a 10 a.m. start. Confirm the exact time with the operator before the day of the experience.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback ride lasts about 90 minutes.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride begins at stables in Lunlunta in southern Maipu and continues through vineyards, olive groves, surrounding rural areas, and near the Mendoza River.

Is the horseback ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The horses are described as calm and easy to ride, and the outing is designed as a relaxed ride. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, horseback riding, lunch, wine tasting and pairings, alcoholic beverages, coffee or tea, and insurance.

Is bottled water included?

No. Bottled water is not included, so you should bring your own.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking. You should also advise the operator of any other dietary requirements.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. A different date, another experience, or a full refund is also offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached.