Private Transfer + Lujan de Cuyo Vinicolas / Maipu

Wine country works best at an unhurried pace. This private Mendoza outing links a winery visit, an olive oil tasting, and a long gourmet lunch across Luján de Cuyo and Maipú. I like the door-to-door transport and the chance to see two sides of local food culture in one day. The main consideration is the price: at $286.67 per person, it makes the most sense for couples or small groups who value privacy and convenience.

I also like that lunch, wine, bottled water, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. You should allow six to nine hours, though, since the day has several moving parts and the wineries may shape the pace. The published start is 8:30 am, with a return to the same Mendoza meeting point.

Key points at a glance

• Three distinct food and wine stops: Visit Bodega Sottano, Olivicola LAUR, and Finca Agostino, each with a different role in the day.
• Private transportation: Only your group takes part, with an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water provided.
• Luján de Cuyo and Maipú in one outing: The route connects Mendoza’s best-known wine area with its olive-growing tradition.
• A full gourmet lunch: Finca Agostino closes the day with a multi-course meal paired with regional wines.
• A flexible six to nine-hour schedule: The broad time range leaves room for transfers, tastings, and a relaxed meal.
• Strong overall approval: The experience is recommended by 99 percent of travelers and has a five-star rating from 195 reviews.

Starting in Mendoza at 8:30 am

The meeting point is Av. Sarmiento 632, second floor, apartment 7, in Mendoza. You begin at 8:30 am and return there at the end, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in the city center.

Private transport changes the feel of a wine day. You do not need to arrange taxis between distant vineyards, watch the clock for a shared group, or decide who will avoid the wine. You can settle into the air-conditioned vehicle and let the driver handle the road.

Bottled water is included, a small but useful touch during a long day of tastings. Breakfast is not included, so I would eat beforehand or plan a light morning snack. Dinner is not part of the experience either, but after lunch and wine, you may be glad to keep the evening easy.

The activity is near public transportation, though it begins at a specific apartment address rather than a hotel pickup. I would confirm the exact entrance and arrive a few minutes early. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is private, so only your own party participates.

Bodega Sottano and the Luján de Cuyo opening

The first stop is Bodega Sottano in Luján de Cuyo, one of Mendoza’s best-known wine areas. You spend about two hours here, including a guided winery visit and wine tasting. Admission is included.

That two-hour slot gives the first winery room to set the tone instead of rushing you through a quick pour and a gift shop. You can expect the visit to focus on how the winery works, followed by a tasting of its wines. The exact wines and tasting format are not specified, so your experience may depend on the program offered that day.

Luján de Cuyo is a natural first chapter for a Mendoza wine tour because the area is closely linked with the province’s wine identity. The value here is not simply drinking several glasses. A guided visit gives you a better sense of how the bottle in front of you connects to the place where it was made.

I would pace yourself from the beginning. This is only the first stop, and the day later includes more wine with lunch. The private format helps because you can take your time, ask for clarification, and avoid being pushed along by a large group.

There is one point worth checking before you pay. The supplied details name Sottano, LAUR, and Agostino, while a separate customer account described a different combination of Mendoza wineries, including Pulenta, Lagarde, and Trapiche. The operator has explained that its routes can be personalized and that clients may choose wineries. Ask for written confirmation of your exact three stops so there are no surprises.

Olivicola LAUR and Mendoza’s olive tradition

After the winery, the route moves to Maipú for a one-hour visit to Olivicola LAUR. Here the focus shifts from grapes to olives, with a visit and tasting in an olive grove. You learn about extra virgin olive oil from Mendoza and sample the products.

This is a smart change of pace. Wine tastings can start to blur together when they are stacked back to back. Olive oil gives your palate something different, and the visit adds a local product that many short Mendoza wine outings skip.

The one-hour duration is enough for an introduction, but it is not a long agricultural tour. You should expect a focused explanation and tasting rather than half a day among the trees. The most useful part for you may be learning how extra virgin olive oil is presented and assessed, especially if you enjoy taking home regional food products.

Maipú is famous for its olive tradition, so this stop also broadens your view of the area. Mendoza is not just vineyards and tasting rooms. The day shows how wine and olive oil share the same food culture, climate, and rural setting.

I like this stop for travelers who want more than a checklist of wineries. If your main goal is to taste as many wines as possible, the olive visit will reduce your winery count. If you appreciate food, local production, and a slower rhythm, it adds welcome variety.

Finca Agostino and the long lunch finale

The final stop is Finca Agostino, where you spend about four hours. This is the largest portion of the outing, and it includes a gourmet multi-course lunch paired with wines from the winery.

That timing tells you what the day is really built around. The final stop is not a quick meal between appointments. It is intended as a substantial closing experience, combining signature cuisine with regional varietals. Lunch is included, as are alcoholic beverages, so the price covers the most expensive meal and tasting portion of the day.

A multi-course lunch can be a better way to understand Mendoza than a string of small tastings. You have time to sit, eat, compare wines with different dishes, and let the day slow down. The exact menu is not provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish. The appeal is the format: several courses, paired wines, and a winery setting.

There is also a practical reason to end here. By placing the longest stop last, the schedule allows you to enjoy lunch without watching the clock for the next appointment. The tradeoff is that you may return to Mendoza later than expected, especially if the day reaches the upper end of the six to nine-hour estimate.

One earlier account described a good main course at Lagarde but a disappointing overall experience at Trapiche, while the service at Pulenta was praised. Those wineries are not the three named for this route, and the account does not directly assess Sottano, LAUR, or Agostino. Still, it offers a useful warning: the quality of a wine day depends on each property’s own hospitality and kitchen, not just on the driver’s timing.

What the private format is worth

At $286.67 per person, this is not a budget wine shuttle. You are paying for private transportation, air conditioning, bottled water, lunch, wine, and a full day built around your own group.

The price becomes easier to justify with two or more people who want comfort and control. If you are splitting the cost with a partner or friends, private transport can be a good alternative to piecing together taxis, winery reservations, and lunch on your own. You also avoid the usual concern about drinking and driving.

The value is less clear for a solo visitor or a very price-conscious couple. A shared tour may cost less, though it would not provide the same privacy or control over the day. The supplied price is per person, so ask how the total changes with your group size before booking.

I would also compare what is included in other Mendoza wine tours. Some cover transport and tastings but charge separately for lunch. Here, the included gourmet meal and alcoholic beverages are important parts of the calculation. The experience is not just a ride between three places.

Private service can also help if your group has different interests. One person may care about the winery process, another about olive oil, and another about lunch. In a private vehicle, the group can ask questions and move at a shared pace rather than follow a large crowd.

Timing, comfort, and the small practical details

The stated duration is six to nine hours. That is a wide range, but it makes sense for a route with three stops in two wine areas, a guided visit, a tasting, an olive oil program, a multi-course lunch, and road time.

Plan on this being your main activity for the day. Do not schedule a museum visit, flight, cooking class, or important dinner immediately afterward. The nine-hour possibility matters, especially if you want to enjoy lunch rather than hurry through it.

The air-conditioned vehicle is useful in Mendoza, where a day in the countryside can feel tiring even when the schedule looks easy on paper. Water is provided, but WiFi is not included. Download anything you need before leaving and keep your phone charged for directions, messages, or photos.

The tour is open to most participants, and the provided information does not list special physical restrictions. Still, you should consider your own comfort with long vehicle transfers, alcohol tastings, and a multi-course meal. If anyone in your group has dietary needs, ask the operator before booking because no menu or dietary policy is specified.

The experience returns to the original meeting point. That is convenient, but it is not described as hotel pickup. You need to make your own way to Av. Sarmiento 632 for the start.

Who will enjoy this Mendoza wine day?

I would choose this experience for a couple, family group, or circle of friends that wants a private day without managing the details. It suits people who want a mix of wine, olive oil, and food rather than a winery-only schedule.

It is especially appealing if you value a proper lunch. Finca Agostino receives four hours, making the meal a central part of the day instead of an afterthought. The included wine and lunch also make the package easier to budget.

You may want something else if your priority is maximum winery variety. Only two of the three stops are wine-focused, and the olive oil visit takes a full hour. You may also prefer a shorter trip if you have limited time in Mendoza.

The experience is less suitable for anyone looking for nightlife, independent exploration, or a very cheap day out. This is a structured countryside outing with a high per-person price and a long daytime commitment.

The 99 percent recommendation rate and five-star score from 195 ratings suggest a strong record overall. I would treat that as encouraging, not as a promise that every winery, meal, or tasting will suit every palate. The operator handles transport and scheduling, but each property controls its own food and tasting service.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

This activity is commonly booked about 16 days ahead. That is a useful planning target if you are visiting Mendoza during a busy period or have particular winery preferences.

The operator provides confirmation at booking. Because the route may be personalized, confirm the names of the wineries, the lunch arrangements, and the pickup instructions in writing. This is especially important given the difference between the named stops and the winery combination described in one customer account.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. The cutoff follows local Mendoza time.

Should you book this private Mendoza tour?

Book it if you want a comfortable, private day that combines Bodega Sottano, a Maipú olive oil tasting, and a long wine-paired lunch at Finca Agostino. The included meal, private vehicle, water, and alcohol make the $286.67 price easier to defend for a small group.

I would not book it without confirming the exact route first. Ask if your reservation is fixed to Sottano, Olivicola LAUR, and Finca Agostino or can be changed to other wineries. If you value privacy, a full lunch, and a calm pace, this is a strong choice. If you mainly want the lowest price or the highest number of wineries, compare other options.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Av. Sarmiento 632, piso 2, departamento 7, M5500 Mendoza, Argentina.

What time does the experience begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is transportation private?

Yes. The experience includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and only your group participates.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch, alcoholic beverages, and bottled water are included. Breakfast and dinner are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted or refunded.