Tour of 3 wineries in Maipú with lunch + olive groves

Mendoza’s Maipú district is made for a day of small pleasures: a glass of Malbec, a look at old-fashioned cellar work, a bite of something sweet, then a long lunch with wine. This tour links three traditional wineries with a final meal at Esencia 1870, so you get more than a quick tasting-room stop.

I like the all-inclusive structure, especially the included hotel transfer and wine-paired lunch. I also like the mix of wine and local food, including Mendoza alfajores and the olive-grove setting. The main caution is comfort: one recent trip used a small vehicle that felt cramped, and lunch service at Esencia 1870 can run slowly.

Key points at a glance

• Three Maipú winery visits: Each stop includes a guided visit and wine tasting, with wineries such as Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, or Cecchin.
• Lunch at Esencia 1870: The final two-hour stop combines a meal, wine pairings, a winery visit, and food tasting.
• Mendoza alfajores included: One winery adds a taste of this regional sweet to the wine program.
• Central hotel pickup: Transfers are offered from eight listed hotels and hostels in Mendoza city, with return to the same general group of locations.
• Spanish and English support: The visits and tastings can be adapted to English, but the driver may speak Spanish.
• Seven hours, with plenty of driving: Two early van rides take about 45 and 30 minutes, followed by shorter transfers between wineries.

Three Maipú wineries in one well-planned day

This is a classic Mendoza wine-country outing. You leave the city, spend the main part of the day in Maipú, and return after lunch. The route is built around three winery experiences rather than one long visit, which gives you a useful comparison of different producers and ways of presenting wine.

The exact wineries can change. Possible stops include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, and Cecchin. The final lunch is at Esencia 1870. If a named winery cannot confirm the visit, the operator substitutes another winery of similar quality and wine-tourism service.

That flexibility is worth understanding before you book. If you have your heart set on one particular estate, this is not the best format for you. If you mainly want a full day of tastings, cellar visits, and lunch without building your own route, the arrangement makes good sense.

At each winery, you can expect a guided visit and tasting. The focus is on traditional production methods and the region’s main varietals. The tour description does not promise a private cellar, vineyard walk, or a specific number of wines, so you should think of this as a broad introduction to Maipú rather than a highly specialized tasting course.

The morning ride from central Mendoza

Pickup is included from a group of central accommodations, including Gorilla Hostel, Hotel Crillón Mendoza, Park Hyatt Mendoza, Villaggio Hotel Boutique, Hostel Central, Soltigua Apart Hotel Mendoza, Sheraton Mendoza Hotel, and Amérian Executive Mendoza Hotel.

You need to wait at the hotel reception. Do not wait in your room, since the guide needs to find you promptly and delays can affect the whole route. If your accommodation is not listed, you can send the address to arrange a transfer.

The first rides take about 45 minutes and then 30 minutes. That means the morning begins with a fair amount of time in the van before the winery visits get going. For most people, this is a reasonable trade for door-to-door service from the city. It also means you should not expect a quick hop from one hotel to a nearby tasting room.

The vehicle experience may vary. One account praised the friendly driver, professional service, and comfortable vehicle. Another found the car too small even with four people. If you are sensitive to limited legroom, ask about the vehicle when confirming the booking, especially if you are not traveling alone.

First and second winery stops in Maipú

The first two winery visits each last about one hour. You will tour the property, hear about traditional wine production, and taste wines from that producer. The short format keeps the day moving and lets you compare one winery with the next.

That comparison is one of the best reasons to choose this trip. Instead of tasting only one producer’s style, you can notice how different wineries present familiar Mendoza varietals. A guide may explain the production process and the character of the wines, while the setting gives you a better sense of how wine tourism works outside the city.

The wineries may include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, or Cecchin. Since the final selection is not fixed, the tone can vary from one departure to another. The common thread is the traditional winery visit and tasting, not a guaranteed named estate.

Small food pairings may accompany some tastings. One experience included tapas with the wines, which added a useful touch to the morning. These bites are not the main meal, but they help pace the tasting and give you something to eat before lunch.

Practical conditions can also vary by property. Some bathrooms may be a long walk from the tasting area, and one stop had facilities that were not open at the time of the visit. This is not a reason to reject the tour, but it is a reminder to use the facilities when you have the chance.

A final stop built around lunch at Esencia 1870

The last winery visit is the longest, with about two hours for the winery, tasting, food experience, and lunch at Esencia 1870. This is where the day shifts from a series of tastings to a proper meal.

Lunch is paired with different wine varietals. That matters because the wine is not treated as an afterthought. You get to see how a meal changes the way a wine tastes, and you have time to settle into the pace of the countryside instead of rushing from one glass to the next.

The meal is described as gourmet and includes wine pairings. The exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a fixed menu. The final winery also includes a taste of Mendoza alfajores, a popular local sweet made in many styles. It is a small but pleasant regional detail, particularly if you want food as well as wine in your day.

Service at lunch may be slow. That can be frustrating if you prefer a tightly timed schedule, but it is less of a problem if you view the final stop as the main pause of the day. The tour allows two hours here, though the meal and tasting may not feel hurried.

What the $120 price really covers

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sample Mendoza wine. It is also not just a tasting fee. The price includes transportation from central Mendoza, visits and tastings at three wineries, and lunch with wine pairings.

Those inclusions add up quickly if you arrange the same day yourself. You would need to organize transport to Maipú, coordinate three appointments, pay the separate tasting fees, and find a restaurant that pairs lunch with local wines. The included transfer is particularly valuable if you do not have a rental car or prefer not to drive after tasting.

The price makes less sense for someone who wants a single in-depth winery visit or who already has private transport. It makes more sense for a first day in Mendoza, especially if you want an easy introduction to the Maipú wine route without handling the planning.

You should also factor in the uncertainty of the winery lineup. The tour promises replacement wineries of equal quality and wine-tourism attention if a listed property cannot be confirmed, but it does not guarantee a particular brand. Book this for the structure and overall day, not for one exact cellar.

Language, guide support, and the pace of the day

Live tour support is available in Spanish and English. Visits and tastings can be adapted to English, which is useful for understanding the wines and production methods. The driver may speak Spanish, however, so the driving portions may not be fully guided in English.

The available information does not provide guide names, so I would not expect a named specialist to lead every part of the day. The guide or winery staff will handle the tasting explanations, while the driver manages pickup, transfers, and return.

The schedule is fairly full. After the two longer morning rides, transfers between the wineries take about 15 minutes each. The first two visits last one hour apiece, while lunch and the final winery take two hours. A final ride of about 75 minutes brings you back to the city.

In practical terms, this is a full-day outing rather than a quick afternoon activity. You will spend much of the day seated in the van, tasting wine, and eating. Wear comfortable shoes, since some winery facilities require walking between areas, and keep your schedule open after the tour in case lunch service takes longer than planned.

Who will enjoy this Maipú wine tour

I would recommend this experience to you if you want an easy first look at Mendoza’s wine country. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who prefer a planned route with transport included. It also works well if you want food to be part of the day rather than an optional extra.

The format is especially useful if you are staying in central Mendoza and do not want to rent a car. Hotel pickup removes the need to find a taxi early in the morning, while the return transfer means you do not need to navigate back after several tastings.

You may want another option if you need a wheelchair-accessible activity. This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. You may also prefer a private tour if you want more time at each winery, a guaranteed list of producers, or detailed English commentary from the driver during every transfer.

The group size and vehicle are not clearly fixed. That is worth considering if personal space matters to you. The experience can be comfortable, but the ride may feel tight in a smaller vehicle.

Booking details that matter

The activity lasts about seven hours, though the exact starting time depends on availability. Pickup and drop-off cover the listed central accommodations, and you should be ready at reception when the vehicle arrives.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if you are still arranging the rest of your Mendoza plans.

The operator is Vínica Wine Tours. Spanish and English are listed as available languages. If English is important to you, confirm how much of the winery commentary will be delivered in English before departure, since the tour can adapt the tastings and visits but the driver may speak Spanish.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want three winery tastings, a full lunch, and city transfers in one organized day. The strongest points are the all-inclusive price, the mix of different Maipú producers, the paired meal at Esencia 1870, and the chance to try Mendoza alfajores along the way.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed winery list, wheelchair access, a private vehicle, or a short and highly polished schedule. Also allow for a potentially cramped ride and slow lunch service.

For most first-time wine visitors staying in central Mendoza, $120 is a fair price for the amount included. You are paying for convenience as much as for wine. That is the right reason to book it.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $120 per person.

How many wineries will I visit?

You will visit three wineries in the Maipú area, with a guided visit and wine tasting at each one.

Which wineries are included?

Possible wineries include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, and Cecchin. The exact wineries can change if one cannot be confirmed.

Where is lunch served?

Lunch is served at Esencia 1870, the final winery stop.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and paired with wines.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transfers from listed central Mendoza accommodations are included, along with the return transfer.

Can I be picked up from an accommodation not on the list?

You can send the address of your accommodation to coordinate a transfer if it is not listed.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour can be adapted to English, and the visits and tastings can be conducted in English. The driver may speak Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What is the cancellation policy?

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

Do I have to pay when I reserve?

A reserve-now, pay-later option is available, so you can book without paying immediately.