Organic & Biodynamic Wine Adventure in Mendoza

Mendoza’s best wines begin in the soil. This eight-hour outing links Krontiras Winery, Riccitelli Wines, and Wine is Art! by Ernesto Catena, giving you a focused look at organic farming, biodynamic methods, and creative Argentine winemaking. I like the way the tour pairs serious vineyard work with a relaxed gourmet meal, rather than treating wine as a quick tasting stop.

I also like the variety between the three wineries. Krontiras brings biodynamic farming into view, Riccitelli offers the perspective of winemaker Matías Riccitelli, and Wine is Art! connects wine with art and environmental care. The main consideration is the price, $258 per person. That is a sizable spend, so this makes the most sense if you value a full-day, small-group wine experience with lunch, transport, tastings, and guides included.

Key points to know before booking

• Three distinct winery visits: You visit Krontiras Winery, Riccitelli Wines, and Wine is Art! by Ernesto Catena in one full day.
• Organic and biodynamic focus: The tour explains how soil care and farming methods shape the wine in your glass.
• Lunch is part of the experience: A gourmet meal with wine is served at Wine is Art!, not added as an afterthought.
• Rooftop views add a change of pace: The final stop brings scenery, architecture, art, and wine together.
• Languages and pickup are flexible: Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish, with pickup from Mendoza coordinated through WhatsApp.
• The experience earned strong praise: A May 2025 booking called the guide an icon and praised the beautiful vineyards and generous wine tasting.

Why organic wine matters in Mendoza

Mendoza is famous for Malbec, but this tour asks you to look past the grape variety. The key question is how the vine is grown, how the soil is treated, and how much human intervention is used from vineyard to bottle.

Organic farming puts the health of the soil first. Biodynamic farming takes that idea further, treating the vineyard as a connected system rather than a row of plants that simply needs feeding and watering. You will hear how these choices affect the vines and the final wine, though the exact farming details can vary from one winery to the next.

That focus gives the day a clear purpose. You are not simply moving from one tasting room to another, collecting glasses and winery photos. You are comparing different approaches to Argentine viticulture and seeing how each producer expresses its own sense of place.

I find this especially useful if you already know a little about wine and want more than a standard introduction. It also works for curious beginners, since the subject is presented through vineyard visits and tastings rather than a classroom lecture.

The tour’s environmental angle reaches beyond farming. At Wine is Art!, the connection between nature, art, and the bottle becomes part of the visit. That gives the final stop a more personal and creative feel than a purely technical winery tour.

Starting in Mendoza with a full eight-hour schedule

The day begins with pickup in Mendoza and lasts about eight hours. An air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, lunch, alcoholic beverages, fees, and taxes are included, so you do not need to keep reaching for your wallet during the day.

Pickup time is coordinated through a WhatsApp group. That is practical, but you should keep your phone available before the tour and watch for the pickup message. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

The transport matters here. Three winery visits spread across a wine-producing area can be awkward to arrange alone, especially if you want to taste freely. With the vehicle included, you can concentrate on the scenery and the explanations instead of planning routes or worrying about who will drive.

Eight hours is a serious block of time. You should not book this on a day when you need to catch an afternoon bus, make a tight dinner reservation, or fit in several other Mendoza sights. The reward is a day with room for proper visits, rather than rushed stops.

The tour is described as a small-group experience with limited spots. That should appeal to you if you prefer a more personal setting and a chance to ask questions. Exact group size is not provided, so I would not assume an exceptionally tiny private outing.

Krontiras Winery and the first taste of biodynamic farming

The first stop is Krontiras Winery, where the day begins with a guided visit, wine tasting, and a close look at biodynamic vineyards. The schedule allows about an hour and a half here, enough time for the visit to feel like more than a quick introduction.

The useful part is the link between the vineyard and the wine. You can learn how biodynamic practices aim to support the entire growing environment, then taste wines presented as expressions of that soil and site. The point is not simply that the wines are organic or biodynamic. The point is to ask what those methods contribute to aroma, texture, balance, and character.

Krontiras is described as an oasis for wine lovers, but the more important detail for you is the setting’s role in the conversation. A vineyard visit lets you see the source before tasting the finished product. That makes the wine easier to understand, especially if you are new to terms such as terroir or biodynamic farming.

The tasting is also a good first step because it sets a reference point for the rest of the day. As you visit the other producers, you can compare how each winery handles farming and winemaking. Pay attention to the differences instead of searching for one winner.

One practical note: wine tasting is one of the central activities at every stop. If you prefer only a glass or two, tell your guide. The tour includes alcoholic beverages, but the supplied details do not state how many wines are poured or whether nonalcoholic alternatives are available.

Riccitelli Wines and the human side of winemaking

The second winery is Riccitelli Wines, founded by winemaker Matías Riccitelli. The visit again lasts about an hour and a half and includes a guided tour and tasting.

Here, the emphasis shifts toward meticulous care in winemaking and the use of organic soils. That gives you a chance to compare the farm-first conversation at Krontiras with the winemaker’s personal approach at Riccitelli.

A winery visit is more useful when you know what to listen for. Ask how the organic soils are maintained, how the fruit is handled after harvest, and which decisions are intended to preserve the character of the grapes. The tour promises insight into innovative Argentine viticulture, so this is the place to connect broad sustainability ideas with practical production choices.

The description does not specify which wines you will taste. That is worth keeping in mind if you are hoping for a particular grape, vintage, or label. The safest expectation is a guided selection that reflects the winery’s methods and style.

The tasting also breaks up the day well. After the first stop introduces biodynamic farming, Riccitelli adds another perspective before lunch. You are likely to appreciate this sequence because it builds a comparison without making the day feel like one long lecture.

One verified booking from Argentina specifically praised the wines as different and incredible, while also noting that the visit introduced winemaking methods that were new to the guest. That is a useful clue about the tour’s strongest quality: it is designed to show you ideas beyond standard Mendoza tasting-room routines.

Wine is Art! by Ernesto Catena for lunch and a final point of view

The final visit takes place at Wine is Art! by Ernesto Catena and Joanna Foster. This stop lasts about two and a half hours and combines vineyard time, wine tasting, and lunch.

The longer stay makes sense. You are not only tasting wine here. You are also sitting down for a gourmet meal and taking in the setting, including the promised rooftop views. After two winery tours, the meal gives you time to slow down and enjoy the day rather than race to one more glass.

The winery’s identity is tied to nature, art, and the environment. That makes it a fitting final stop for a tour built around sustainable production. You can expect the conversation to reach beyond farming techniques and into the way wine is presented, designed, and connected to a broader creative vision.

Lunch is one of the clearest strengths of the experience. One booking said the meal exceeded expectations, which suggests that the food is meant to be a substantial part of the visit rather than a basic plate served between tastings. The exact menu is not provided, so you should not book expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement unless you confirm it in advance.

The rooftop views add a visual reward at the end of the day. You may find this especially appealing if you enjoy taking a break from formal tasting rooms and seeing the wider surroundings from above. The setting also gives you a natural place to reflect on the different wines and farming ideas you encountered.

This is likely the most relaxed part of the schedule, but remember that the tour remains wine-focused. If you are mainly interested in architecture, art, or photography, those elements support the experience rather than replace the tastings.

What the $258 price really includes

At $258 per person, this is not a budget winery outing. The value depends on how much of the day you would otherwise need to arrange yourself.

The price includes pickup from Mendoza, air-conditioned transportation, guided visits, wine tastings, lunch, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, all fees, and taxes. You are paying for an organized full-day plan with three winery stops and no extra on-site charges listed.

That package can be worthwhile if you want convenience. Booking separate winery visits would mean coordinating transport, timing, reservations, and a safe way to return after tasting. Here, those pieces are handled together.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a quick taste of Mendoza wine or if you are comfortable arranging a cheaper shared excursion. You should also consider how much wine you normally drink in a day. Someone who prefers a light tasting may not get the same value from an itinerary centered on multiple tastings and a wine-paired meal.

Still, the tour has more range than a basic winery shuttle. You get organic and biodynamic agriculture, a look at innovative production, a meal, and a rooftop setting. The value is strongest for you if those themes matter as much as the number of pours.

Guides, languages, and the feel of the day

Live guides are available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. That makes the tour accessible to a broad range of visitors, and the guide’s role matters because the subject can become technical quickly.

You want clear explanations of organic soil care, biodynamic farming, and winemaking methods without too much jargon. The May 2025 booking gave special praise to the guide, describing the guide as an icon, and also highlighted the beautiful vineyards and generous amount of good wine. Since no guide name is supplied, I cannot identify that person for you.

The presence of Matías Riccitelli, Ernesto Catena, and Joanna Foster gives the wineries strong personal identities, but you should not assume that these founders will personally lead your visit. Their names describe the people and ideas behind the wineries, not a promise of a private meeting.

Wheelchair access is listed, which is an important practical advantage. The exact accessibility arrangements at each vineyard, rooftop area, and vehicle are not described, so you should confirm any specific mobility needs before booking.

Who should book this Mendoza wine day

I would recommend this experience if you want a full day devoted to wine and you care about how it is made. It suits couples, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who would rather join an organized outing than plan several winery appointments.

It is particularly good for you if:

• You want organic and biodynamic wine to be the main subject.
• You enjoy comparing different producers and winemaking styles.
• You value a proper lunch instead of a short snack.
• You want transportation included from Mendoza.
• You appreciate art, environmental ideas, and attractive views alongside wine.
• You need guiding in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.

You may want a different plan if you prefer a short tour, a very large selection of wineries, or complete control over the labels and tasting order. The schedule is fixed around three named stops, and the day takes eight hours.

Families with children should also think carefully. The experience is built around wine tastings and alcoholic beverages, and the supplied details do not mention child pricing or child-focused activities.

Practical tips for getting more from the experience

Keep your morning free and allow the full eight hours. The tour returns to Mendoza, but no exact return time is stated, so avoid booking something immediately afterward.

Wear clothing suited to a winery and vineyard setting. Specific clothing guidance is not provided, but comfortable shoes are a sensible choice for any guided vineyard visit.

Use the WhatsApp pickup group actively. Confirm the meeting information and keep your phone charged. Since pickup time is coordinated rather than fixed in the details provided, this small step can prevent a confusing start.

Bring a notebook if you like learning about wine. With three producers and different farming approaches, you may want to record names, grapes, and impressions. You can then compare your favorite wine with the method used to produce it.

Pace yourself. You do not need to treat every tasting as a full glass. The day is more enjoyable when you remain alert for the explanations, the meal, and the contrasts between wineries.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and lets you reserve now while paying later. Those terms give you useful flexibility, though you should still check the exact booking conditions and availability for your date.

Final verdict: a strong choice for thoughtful wine drinkers

I would book this tour if I wanted Mendoza wine with a clear environmental and agricultural focus. The three stops offer useful variety, the lunch at Wine is Art! gives the day a proper finish, and the included transport removes much of the hassle.

The strongest reasons to go are the biodynamic vineyard visit at Krontiras, the distinct approach at Riccitelli Wines, and the art-minded final stop with its rooftop views. The praise for the guide, beautiful vineyards, unusual wines, and better-than-expected lunch supports the idea that this is more than a routine tasting circuit.

At $258, it asks you to spend for depth, convenience, and a full day rather than bargain pricing. If that matches your interests, this is a well-focused way to see a more thoughtful side of Mendoza’s wine country.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is included from Mendoza.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts eight hours.

Which wineries are included?

The tour visits Krontiras Winery, Riccitelli Wines, and Wine is Art! by Ernesto Catena.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A gourmet lunch is included at Wine is Art! by Ernesto Catena and Joanna Foster.

Are wine tastings included?

Yes. Wine tastings and alcoholic beverages are included.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup, return transportation, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.