Half Day Tour of Wineries and Olive Oil with Lunch from Mendoza

Wine country starts with a smooth ride. This five-hour outing takes you from Mendoza to Maipú for tastings at two boutique wineries and a small olive oil factory, giving you a useful introduction to the region without taking up your whole day. I especially like the small-scale focus and the chance to taste both wine and olive oil in one trip. I also like that bilingual guide service, hotel pickup, transportation, entrance fees, and tastings are included.

The main catch is easy to miss: despite the tour title, lunch is not included. You should also expect a fairly structured day, with about an hour of travel each way and a maximum group size of 25 people. That is a reasonable trade for visitors who want a simple introduction to Maipú, but less appealing if you want a slow, intimate winery visit.

Key points at a glance

• Two boutique wineries in Maipú: You visit two wineries selected from a rotating group that may include Don Arturo, Florio, Vistandes, Cecchin, Domiciano, Carmine Granata, Carinae, or López.
• Olive oil as well as wine: A small producer such as Pasrai or Laur explains how one of Mendoza’s important local products is made.
• About five hours door to door: Hotel pickup in Mendoza is followed by roughly one hour of travel, three hours among the producers, and about one hour back.
• Tastings and transport included: You do not need to arrange separate transfers or pay admission at each stop.
• Guide quality matters: Carolita received special praise for making the visits enjoyable and interesting.
• Bring cash and sun protection: Not every producer accepts credit cards, and summer conditions call for water, sunscreen, and a hat.

Why Maipú makes a good first taste of Mendoza

Mendoza is famous for wine, but its food culture is not limited to the bottle. Maipú gives you a compact way to see two related parts of local production: vineyards and olive oil. The tour does not try to cover every corner of the region. Instead, it uses a half-day route to show you how wine and oil are made, then lets you taste the results.

That focus is useful if you have only a short stay in Mendoza or if you want an introduction before choosing a longer winery day. You get a broad sense of the area without surrendering an entire day to transportation. It is also a good choice if your group includes people who are interested in food but not all that interested in spending hours at wineries.

The experience is based in Maipú, with hotel pickup in Mendoza. The ride to the first stop takes about one hour. That travel time is worth keeping in mind when you judge the price and schedule. The visit portion lasts about three hours, so the stops themselves are not rushed into a few quick sips, but you should not expect a full-day wine-country outing.

The one-hour ride from Mendoza

Pickup begins at hotels in Mendoza, and the bus then heads toward the first stop. Transportation is provided in modern vehicles with air-conditioning and heating, a practical detail in a region where temperatures can change sharply by season.

The transfer takes approximately one hour. I see this as both a benefit and a limitation. You avoid the hassle of finding each producer on your own, and you can let someone else handle the roads after a tasting. On the other hand, two hours of the five-hour schedule are spent traveling, so this is not the right choice if you want the largest possible amount of time at the wineries.

The group can reach 25 people. That is small enough to remain manageable, but it is not a private tour. The tone of each visit will depend partly on how well the group moves together and how much room the individual producer has for questions.

Your hotel address must be provided when booking. The return to Mendoza is scheduled for around 7:00 pm, so check the exact pickup time and leave room in your evening plans. The stated timing can vary with hotel pickups and the pace at each stop.

Two boutique wineries, three hours in Maipú

The heart of the outing is the time spent at two boutique wineries. The available producers may include Don Arturo, Florio, Vistandes, Cecchin, Domiciano, Carmine Granata, Carinae, and López. The exact combination is not fixed, so you should book this for the overall format rather than for one named winery.

At each winery, specialized staff explain the production and winemaking process. You then taste several wines to experience differences in flavor and style. The educational side matters here. A tasting is more useful when you understand what the producer is trying to make and how the wine reaches the glass.

I like the boutique-winery approach because smaller producers can give the visit a more direct, local feel than a large commercial facility. Still, the word boutique does not guarantee a private tasting or a quiet room. With a group of up to 25, you may be part of a shared presentation.

The wine tasting is included, as are the entrance tickets. That keeps the day simple and makes the $100 price easier to judge. You are paying not just for pours, but also for the guide, vehicle, hotel transfers, and coordination among several stops.

One published experience specifically praised a guide named Carolita, along with visits to three bodegas and an olive farm. The standard plan describes two wineries and one olive oil company, so the exact number of wine stops may vary. That is useful context: the route can offer a little more than the basic outline, but you should not count on a specific number of producers unless the operator confirms it.

The olive oil stop adds something different

The olive oil visit keeps the outing from becoming a repeated sequence of winery talks and tastings. At a small olive oil factory, staff explain the production process and the role of olive oil in Mendoza’s economy.

This stop is valuable because it gives you another way to think about agriculture in the region. You can compare how wine and oil are produced, presented, and tasted. If someone in your party is not especially interested in wine, this may be the part that makes the tour feel better balanced.

The possible olive oil companies are Pasrai and Laur. As with the wineries, the exact stop is subject to the day’s arrangements. Tastings and admission are included, and you have the chance to buy olive oil at the producer.

Bring cash. Not all of the wineries accept credit cards, and the same practical caution is wise for olive oil purchases. If you plan to take bottles home, check your airline rules before buying. The tour information states that up to six bottles per person can be transported by plane in hand luggage, but you should still confirm current airline and airport requirements.

The lunch issue needs careful attention

The title suggests a winery tour with lunch, but lunch is specifically listed as not included. This is the most important point to clarify before booking. You should budget separately for food and ask the operator how the day handles the midday meal.

Do not assume that a tasting replaces lunch. Wine and olive oil samples may be satisfying for a while, but they are not a meal. Bring sweets and still mineral water, as advised, especially if you tend to feel the effects of alcohol on an empty stomach.

Because no lunch details are provided, I would treat this as a tasting-focused excursion rather than a food-and-wine lunch tour. If a proper meal is central to your Mendoza plans, choose another experience or confirm the arrangements directly before paying.

Is $100 a fair price?

At $100 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to visit a single nearby winery. It becomes more reasonable when you add up the included parts: bilingual guiding throughout, hotel pickup and return, a modern heated and air-conditioned vehicle, entrance tickets, two winery tastings, and an olive oil tasting.

The real value is convenience. You do not need to compare taxi prices, find a designated driver, or work out how to reach several producers. You also get a bilingual guide to connect the visits and explain what is happening.

The value drops if you are already comfortable arranging transport in Maipú or if you want to spend a long time at one winery. A group of 25 can also feel less personal than a private visit. Think of this as a well-organized introduction, not a luxury wine day.

The high overall rating, 4.7 from 27 published ratings, and a recommendation rate of 93 percent suggest that the format works well for most people. The strongest praise centers on the fun atmosphere, the guide, the number of tasting stops, and the mix of wine with olive oil. Those are the qualities I would weigh most heavily.

What to wear and bring

Comfortable clothing and footwear suited to the season are the sensible choice. You may spend time walking between facilities or standing during explanations, so this is not a day for uncomfortable shoes.

In summer, bring:

• Sunscreen
• A hat
• Still mineral water
• A small snack or sweets

Cash is also important because some wineries do not accept credit cards. Keep purchases in mind when planning your luggage, particularly if you expect to buy several bottles.

You should also tell the operator your hotel and full address. This is essential for pickup and helps avoid confusion at the start of the morning or afternoon.

Who will enjoy this Mendoza wine tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time Mendoza visitor who wants an easy introduction to Maipú. It suits couples, friends, and mixed-interest groups who want wine, olive oil, transportation, and a guide in one package.

It is also useful for anyone without a car. After tastings, having organized transportation is a practical safety benefit. The bilingual guide service helps if you are not comfortable following technical explanations in Spanish.

The tour may be less suitable for serious wine enthusiasts seeking a very specific producer, a private tasting, or more time at each estate. It may also disappoint you if you expect lunch to be part of the cost. Families and nondrinkers can participate, since most people can take part, but the core of the day remains wine tasting.

Timing, group size, and expectations

The published duration is approximately five hours. The schedule breaks down into about one hour from Mendoza to Maipú, three hours at the wineries and olive oil producer, and one hour back to the city. Return to the hotel is expected around 7:00 pm.

A maximum of 25 people keeps the group from becoming enormous, but you should still expect a shared excursion. Pickup at several hotels can affect the exact departure time. Plan conservatively and avoid booking a tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

The exact wineries and oil producer can change. That flexibility is normal for a multi-stop tour, but it means you should not book solely because you want to see Don Arturo, López, Pasrai, or another specific name. Ask ahead if a particular producer matters to you.

Cancellation and booking notes

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local Mendoza time.

Argentinian customers should pay close attention to the pricing note. The listed peso price does not include taxes, and the foreign booking platform bills in US dollars. Your payment method may therefore add extra charges.

The tour is often booked around 10 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a good reason to reserve early if your Mendoza schedule is fixed.

Should you book the Maipú half-day tour?

Book it if you want a straightforward, guided introduction to Mendoza wine country, especially if you do not have a car. The mix of two boutique wineries, an olive oil factory, tastings, hotel transport, and a bilingual guide gives you a lot of useful coverage in half a day.

Skip it if lunch is essential, if you want a private or highly specialized wine visit, or if you prefer to set your own pace. Before booking, confirm the pickup details, the expected winery lineup, and how food will be handled.

For most first-time visitors, this is a practical way to get a taste of Maipú without turning the day into a major logistical project. Just bring water, cash, sun protection, and realistic expectations about lunch.

FAQ

How long does the Mendoza winery and olive oil tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours, including about one hour to reach Maipú, three hours at the wineries and olive oil producer, and one hour to return to Mendoza.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour includes pickup from hotels in Mendoza. You need to provide the hotel name and address when booking.

Where does the tour take place?

The main visits take place in Maipú, a wine-producing area near Mendoza.

How many wineries are visited?

The standard plan includes two boutique wineries. The available producers may include Don Arturo, Florio, Vistandes, Cecchin, Domiciano, Carmine Granata, Carinae, or López.

Which olive oil companies may be included?

The possible olive oil producers are Pasrai and Laur.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price, despite the wording in the tour title.

Are tastings included?

Yes. Wine tastings at the wineries and a tasting at an olive oil company are included, along with entrance tickets.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in modern vehicles with air-conditioning and heating, including hotel pickup and return to Mendoza.

Is the tour offered in English?

Bilingual guide service is provided throughout the tour. The supplied information does not specify which languages are available beyond describing the service as bilingual.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 25 people.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable seasonal clothing and suitable footwear. In summer, bring sweets, still mineral water, sunscreen, and a hat. Carry cash because not all wineries accept credit cards.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.