Top Rated: Winery Tour with Lunch in Mendoza

Mendoza’s Maipú district gives you a full day of Argentine food and drink without sending you far from the city. You’ll visit working wineries, taste high-end bottles, sit down to a multi-course lunch with wine, and finish with olive oil in Argentina’s main olive-growing center. I especially like the small maximum group of 12 and the fact that hotel transfers and drinks are included, so you can taste freely.

The strongest part is the mix of experiences: winery production, a proper lunch, and olive oil rather than a string of nearly identical tastings. The main caution is that pickup problems have caused serious delays on at least one occasion, and the exact winery lineup can change. If punctuality matters, confirm the pickup details before departure.

Key points at a glance

• Maipú from grape to bottle: Learn how wine is made in Mendoza’s historic wine zone, then taste premium labels.
• Lunch between the vines: The multi-course tasting menu is paired with wine and may include generous Argentine dishes such as empanadas.
• A small-group format: The advertised maximum is 12 people, though the outing may become private if no one else books.
• Olive oil completes the picture: A final factory visit shows why Maipú is also known as Argentina’s olive oil capital.
• Named local guides: Drivers and guides have included Michael, Gustavo, and Daniel Aguilar, with English-language support available at the wineries.
• A long day with a practical perk: The 7 to 8 hour schedule includes round-trip hotel transport, useful after several tastings.

Why Maipú makes a good first wine day

Mendoza is best known for Malbec, but the city is surrounded by several wine districts, each with its own feel. This outing focuses on Maipú, the historic wine zone and what the tour describes as the cradle of Argentine wine production.

That makes the day a good introduction if you want more than a glass in a city tasting room. You’ll see how the grape moves through production, hear about local winemaking, and taste the finished product in the place where it is made. The setting also gives you a sense of how closely wine and agriculture are tied to Mendoza.

The format is useful for first-time visitors. You do not need to work out several winery reservations, arrange a taxi between properties, or decide who will drive after lunch. A professional guide handles the route, and hotel pickup and return are part of the price.

I would not book this as a quiet, single-estate tasting. It is a busy day with several stops, and the point is variety. You get a broad look at Maipú rather than a slow study of one producer.

The first winery: production, place, and premium tasting

The first stop lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Here you’ll learn the basic production story, from the earth and grape harvest through bottling. That behind-the-scenes sequence matters because it gives structure to the tastings that follow.

At Sin Fin, one of the wineries used on a recent departure, the winery guide Arqui explained the process in English. The useful detail here is not just the number of glasses you receive. You get a chance to connect the taste in the glass with the work that happens before it reaches the table.

The visit is aimed at ordinary wine drinkers as much as serious enthusiasts. You do not need to know the difference between Mendoza’s grape varieties in advance. The guide can explain the process in clear terms, and you can ask questions as you go.

The tasting is described as a high-end wine experience. That can make this stop feel more special than a basic cellar tour, but keep your expectations in check. The available information does not specify the exact labels, grape varieties, or number of pours at every departure. Wine selections can vary by winery and date.

The second Maipú winery and the value of contrast

The second winery visit lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes, making it the longest stop on the schedule. It is designed to show another side of wine production in Maipú, with a tour of the facilities and a tasting.

This is where the day benefits from comparison. One winery can show you one approach to production, while the next gives you another setting, presentation, or style of wine. You are not simply repeating the same stop if the schedule runs as planned.

At Atilio Avena, a recent departure included an English-speaking guide, a full winery visit, and a three-course lunch with wine pairing. The tasting reached seven wines during that day. That is a substantial amount, especially when combined with the pours at the other stops.

You should pace yourself. Lunch and tasting are part of the experience, but the day is not a race to finish every glass. Since hotel transport is included, you do not have to drive afterward, which is one of the tour’s clearest practical advantages.

The published details describe visits to two wineries, while the route also includes a boutique winery setting for lunch. Some departures have been described as visiting three wineries. That wording suggests the lunch property may count as a third winery, but the exact arrangement is not fully clear. If the number of wineries matters to you, ask Vempra Turismo to confirm the day’s lineup before booking.

Lunch between vineyards at Coquimbito

The lunch stop takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes in Coquimbito, a part of Maipú. You’ll eat at a boutique winery among the vineyards, with a multi-course tasting menu and wine included.

This meal is more than a break between tastings. It gives the day a slower center, a chance to sit down, and a way to understand Argentine food alongside local wine. One menu included three courses, and empanadas received especially warm praise. The information provided does not give a fixed menu, so expect the dishes to depend on the winery and the day.

The meal is a major reason the $129 price can make sense. If you paid separately for transport, two or more winery visits, multiple tastings, and a multi-course lunch, costs would add up quickly. The value is strongest for you if you want a ready-made day and plan to drink enough wine that a private taxi or rental car would be inconvenient.

Still, lunch may feel short if you prefer long meals. The full tour lasts only 7 to 8 hours, and the schedule has several stops. One delayed departure was later compressed into about six hours, which made the day feel rushed. A normal departure should leave more breathing room, but it is wise to treat the timetable as approximate.

Finishing with Maipú olive oil

The final stop lasts about an hour at an olive oil factory. This is a welcome change from wine and gives Maipú a broader agricultural identity.

Maipú is known as Argentina’s capital of olive oil, so the stop adds local context rather than serving as a random extra tasting. You’ll see a different product made from the same farming culture that supports the vineyards, and you may sample olive oil as part of the visit.

One departure added an olive oil tasting during the route, making the experience feel fuller. Since the exact tasting details are not fixed, do not assume a particular number of oils or a full factory production tour. Think of it as a useful final chapter after the wineries.

For food-minded visitors, this may be the most distinctive part of the route. Mendoza is often reduced to wine, but olive oil helps you see the region as a place of orchards, vineyards, and specialty foods.

Guides, language, and the human side of the day

The quality of the day depends heavily on the driver and the guides at each winery. Drivers have included Michael, Gustavo, and Daniel Aguilar. Michael was praised for speaking very good English and for sharing conversation about Argentina and Canada during the drive. Gustavo was described as punctual, polite, kind, and patient.

Daniel Aguilar has guided wine-focused departures and provided useful explanations about Argentine wine culture and production. The winery staff have also included English-speaking guides, including Arqui at Sin Fin and an English-speaking guide at Atilio Avena.

That division of roles matters. Your vehicle driver may offer local context, but the winery staff usually handle the technical explanation inside each property. English support has been available, but you should not assume every driver will be an English-speaking guide. One difficult departure began without an English-speaking driver or guide.

If you have questions about grape varieties, barrel aging, bottling, or tasting notes, ask early. The winery guides are the people best placed to answer them, while the driver can add information about the area and route.

Transport, timing, and group size

Round-trip hotel transfer is included, which removes one of the biggest hassles of a winery day. The tour lasts about 7 to 8 hours, and the maximum group size is 12. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach excursion.

There is an important qualification. If only two people book, the day may operate as a private tour without changing the booked service. One departure became a private experience for a pair, with the driver spending much of the drive in conversation with them.

That can be a real bonus, but it also means the vehicle and guiding setup may vary. A booking advertised as small group does not promise a dedicated guide in every case. An Uber driver was used for one departure, and the passenger had not been told this in advance. If the name and role of your driver matter, confirm them before the pickup window.

The biggest operational warning is late pickup. One outing began 2.5 hours late because of a driver issue and ended after roughly six hours, leaving less time to relax at the wineries. The problem was not the wine route itself, but the communication and transport arrangements. I would keep the morning free and avoid booking a fixed evening activity too close to the scheduled return.

What the $129 price includes

At $129 per person, the price covers:

• Round-trip hotel transport
• A professional guide
• Visits to two wineries with tastings
• A multi-course lunch with wine tasting
• Drinks
• All taxes, fees, and processing charges
• The olive oil factory visit

Bottled water is not included, so carry water or plan to buy it. That is a small extra cost, but it is worth remembering during a warm day with several tastings.

The value is strongest for people who want convenience. You are paying for transport, coordination, food, tastings, and access to several agricultural producers in one day. It is less attractive if you only want one premium tasting or prefer to choose every winery yourself.

The high number of included drinks can also work in your favor. One full day included seven wines plus the lunch pairing, and the vehicle meant no one had to drive afterward. Even so, the sensible approach is to taste rather than simply drink. The day should leave you with a better sense of Mendoza, not just a headache.

Who should book this Maipú outing

I would recommend it to you if this is your first visit to Mendoza and you want a simple way to see the wine country. It also suits couples, small groups, and food lovers who want lunch and olive oil included rather than treating them as separate activities.

It is a good match for English-speaking visitors because English-language winery guides have been available, and several drivers have communicated well in English. Spanish-speaking visitors should also find the format comfortable, as the winery guides and drivers can work in Spanish.

The tour is less suitable if you need a guaranteed exact schedule, a specific named winery, or a fully private vehicle and guide. The route can change, and the transport experience has not been identical on every departure.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is also near public transportation, though hotel transfer is included. Confirmation is normally issued at booking. If you book within two days of departure, confirmation may take up to 48 hours and depends on availability.

Cancellation and booking advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

The outing requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached and the tour is canceled, you’ll be offered another date or experience, or you can receive a full refund.

I would contact Vempra Turismo before departure to confirm three practical details: the pickup time, the exact winery lineup, and whether your driver will speak English. Those questions are especially useful if you are booking close to your travel date or have an evening reservation afterward.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-filled Maipú day with wine production, several tastings, a proper lunch, olive oil, and transport already arranged. The strongest features are the variety, the small group limit, and the chance to taste without worrying about driving.

Skip it if you want a slow, highly personalized day at one estate or if a delayed pickup would cause major problems. For most first-time visitors who value convenience and a broad taste of Mendoza’s food culture, $129 is a fair price. Just confirm the final route and transport details, then leave your schedule open enough to enjoy the day at a relaxed pace.

FAQ

How long does the winery and lunch tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $129 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes taxes and fees, drinks, a multi-course lunch with wine tasting, visits to two wineries with tastings, a professional guide, and round-trip hotel transfer.

Is bottled water included?

No. Bottled water is not included.

How many wineries will I visit?

The included details specify visits to two wineries. The route also includes lunch at a boutique winery, and some departures have been described as visiting three winery properties. Confirm the exact lineup with Vempra Turismo before departure.

Is the tour available in English?

English-speaking winery guides have been available, and some drivers, including Michael, have spoken very good English. An English-speaking driver or guide is not guaranteed for every departure, so confirm this when booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.