2 Wineries and 1 Distillery Full Day Tour with Lunch in Mendoza

Mendoza pours more than Malbec. This full-day outing pairs two wineries with a gin distillery, giving you three different ways to understand the region’s drinks. I like the mix of tastings and the included lunch at Lamadrid Estate Wines. I also like the small maximum group of 23 and hotel pickup in central Mendoza. The main drawback is the $340 price, which makes the tour best for visitors who want an easy, all-day package rather than a cheaper, wine-only outing.

You will spend much of the day on foot, walking through wineries and vineyards, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The schedule also includes shared transportation and hotel pickups, which can add up to 30 or 35 minutes before the tour properly gets moving. Carry cash, too, since not every stop accepts credit cards.

Key points to know before booking

• Three drink-focused stops: Taste gin and other distillates at Hilbing Franke, four wine labels at Finca Bandini, and wine with lunch at Lamadrid.
• The lunch is part of the value: Lamadrid includes a two-course meal and one glass chosen by the sommelier.
• Pickup is limited by location: Most downtown Mendoza hotels are covered, but accommodation outside the urban radius may require a nearby meeting point.
• The group can reach 23 people: This is a shared outing, not a private wine-country day.
• Walking is a major part of the day: Plan for time on foot inside the wineries and among the vineyards.
• Bring spending money: You can buy wine or olive oil at the establishments, but credit cards may not work everywhere.

Three stops, three different tastes of Mendoza

Mendoza is famous for wine, but this tour gives you a wider picture of local drink production. You begin with gin and distillates, continue with a guided winery visit, and finish with a proper lunch at another estate.

That sequence works well. The first stop changes the pace before you spend several hours among wine bottles and vineyards. The second stop focuses on how wine is made and how different labels express different characteristics. The last stop lets you sit down, eat, and enjoy wine without rushing toward the next transfer.

The timings need a little explanation. The first three-hour block includes pickup and the ride to Hilbing Franke, not three hours of distillery touring. The final three-hour block includes lunch at Lamadrid and the return to your hotels. In practical terms, this is an eight-hour day with travel built into the schedule, not eight hours of tastings.

Starting around 9:30 with a shared pickup

The day begins at about 9:30 a.m. Transportation is provided to and from most hotels in central Mendoza. You should wait outside the hotel lobby and make sure the operator has your hotel name and full address.

Pickup is shared, so patience helps. The vehicle may visit several hotels, and the entire collection process can take 30 to 35 minutes. That is normal for a group excursion, but it matters if you are hoping to reach the first stop at exactly 9:30.

The guide or driver will look for the main booking name and may call it aloud. Keep your phone available, but do not wait inside the lobby if the instructions ask you to be outside.

The vehicles are described as modern, and the tour includes bilingual guides with credentials. English is offered, making the outing practical for English-speaking visitors. Since the group may include people from several countries, you should expect a social shared-tour feel rather than a quiet private day.

Hilbing Franke: starting with gin and distillates

Hilbing Franke Distillery gives the itinerary a welcome twist. Instead of opening with another wine tasting, you learn about different distillates and sample several of them. The visit also includes a gin drink prepared for you to enjoy at the distillery.

This stop is useful even if wine is your main reason for coming to Mendoza. It shows a different production method and gives your palate a break from tasting one grape-based drink after another. The gin drink also makes the first stop feel like an experience, not simply a series of small pours.

The description does not promise a full meal or a long sit-down tasting here. You should think of Hilbing Franke as an introduction to distilling, with samples and one prepared gin drink. The three-hour allocation includes the transfer from your hotel, so do not read it as three full hours inside the distillery.

Because alcohol is served throughout the day, pace yourself. The tour includes wine at two wineries and spirits at the first stop. Tasting does not require finishing every pour, and taking water when it is available is sensible.

Finca Bandini: four labels and a closer look at wine

At Finca Bandini, you taste four labels while the guide explains the wine-making process and the qualities that distinguish the wines. This is the most clearly educational part of the day.

A tasting of four labels gives you enough range to compare without turning the visit into a blur of glasses. Pay attention to the guide’s explanations of production and style, then use the tasting to connect those ideas with what you smell and taste.

The two-hour stop should feel more focused than the distillery visit. You will be accompanied by the guide, rather than simply left at a tasting counter. That matters if you want context instead of only a list of wines.

The walking note is important here. The day is not limited to sitting indoors with a glass in front of you. You may walk through winery areas and vineyards, so comfortable shoes are a better choice than formal footwear. The tour is accessible to most people, but the supplied information does not describe specific mobility arrangements. If extended walking is a concern, ask the operator before booking.

Lamadrid Estate Wines: ending with lunch and a sommelier’s choice

Lamadrid Estate Wines is where the day settles into lunch. You receive a two-course meal with one glass of wine selected by the sommelier.

This is one of the strongest parts of the package. A full-day tasting outing can become tiring when every stop is standing, sampling, and listening. A two-course lunch gives you time to sit down and enjoy the setting at a slower pace. The included glass also removes one small decision from the meal, while letting the sommelier pair the wine with the food.

The meal was singled out in the available feedback as fresh and very good, and the explanations from the winemakers were praised as well. That combination is worth noting. Lunch is not just a logistical filler between tastings. It is part of the experience’s appeal.

The final three-hour section includes both the Lamadrid visit and the transfer back to your hotel. Return times will depend on the route and the shared vehicle, so keep your evening plans flexible. I would not book a fixed, time-sensitive activity immediately after the tour.

What the $340 price really covers

At $340 per person, this is not a budget way to visit Mendoza’s wineries. The price makes more sense when you count the package: transportation, a bilingual guide, three estate or production visits, several tastings, the gin drink, four wine labels at Finca Bandini, and a two-course lunch with wine at Lamadrid.

You are also paying for convenience. Planning three separate visits would mean arranging transport between each stop, confirming tasting times, finding lunch, and managing the return to Mendoza. Here, one booking handles the full day.

Still, the value depends on your priorities. If you already have a car, prefer to choose your own wineries, or mainly want to taste Malbec at the lowest possible cost, this may feel expensive. You are paying for a set route and shared transport, so you give up some freedom in exchange for an organized day.

The group limit of 23 is another part of the value calculation. It is smaller than a large coach excursion, but it is not intimate. If you want private conversations with every producer or the flexibility to linger at one estate, a private tour would suit you better. If you want to meet people from different countries and avoid driving after tastings, the shared format is practical.

Walking, cash, and purchases

Bring cash. Not every winery accepts credit cards, and you may want to buy wine or olive oil at one or more stops. Purchases are not included in the tour price.

The operator notes that up to six bottles per person can be transported by plane in hand luggage. Airline rules can vary, so treat that as a useful guide rather than a replacement for checking your own carrier’s policy. Protect bottles carefully and keep receipts if you buy them.

Wear shoes you can walk in for much of the day. The tour specifically includes walking through wineries and vineyards, and the supplied information does not suggest that the route is limited to paved indoor areas.

You should also tell the operator your hotel and address when booking. Hotels outside the central urban radius may not receive direct pickup or drop-off. In that case, you will be told the nearest meeting point.

Who will enjoy this Mendoza day most?

I would recommend this outing to a first-time Mendoza visitor who wants wine, spirits, food, and transport handled in one day. It suits people who enjoy learning how drinks are produced, rather than only stopping for a quick tasting.

It is also a good fit if you do not want to drive after drinking. The included transport removes the need to arrange taxis between rural estates, and the bilingual guide helps keep the day moving.

Couples, friends, and solo visitors who like shared tours should find the format appealing. The feedback praised the pleasure of sharing the day with people from different countries, which fits the group setup.

You may want another option if you are a serious wine collector seeking a highly specialized tasting, if you dislike fixed schedules, or if you need a private vehicle. The tour offers breadth, not deep customization.

It may also be less suitable for anyone who wants a non-alcoholic itinerary. Gin, distillates, wine tastings, and a glass with lunch are central to the day. Most people can participate, but the walking and alcohol-focused format should guide your decision.

A practical way to prepare

Confirm the pickup address and wait outside the lobby before the stated time. Shared pickups can run late because the vehicle visits several hotels, but you should still be ready at 9:30.

Wear light, comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Bring cash, a phone, and enough space in your luggage plans for possible wine or olive-oil purchases.

Do not schedule an important evening appointment too soon after the tour. The return is included, but shared transport and multiple hotel drop-offs can affect the exact arrival time.

The experience allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, so check your plans before that deadline. Argentine customers should also note that the peso price does not include taxes charged through the foreign-currency payment system.

Should you book this full-day tour?

Book it if you want a simple, social Mendoza day that combines wine, gin, and a real lunch without arranging rural transport yourself. The praised points are the good food, the clear explanations from winemakers, and the enjoyable mix of people from different countries.

Think twice if $340 feels high for a shared outing or if you want to control every stop. The route is fixed, much of the day involves walking, and the first and last time blocks include transportation.

For a first visit, the variety is the best reason to choose it. You get more than two wine tastings, but you also avoid spending the entire day on a bus or at nearly identical stops. Bring cash, wear sensible shoes, and leave your evening open. Those three choices will make the day easier.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, starting around 9:30 a.m. The timing includes hotel pickup, transfers between stops, the visits, lunch, and the return to your hotel.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Hilbing Franke Distillery, Finca Bandini, and Lamadrid Estate Wines.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Lamadrid Estate Wines includes two courses and one glass of wine selected by the sommelier.

How many wine labels are tasted at Finca Bandini?

The tasting at Finca Bandini includes four labels.

Is a gin drink included?

Yes. Hilbing Franke prepares a gin drink for you to enjoy during the visit, along with tastings of different distillates.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and return transportation are offered from most downtown Mendoza hotels within the urban radius. If your accommodation is outside that area, you will receive the nearest pickup or drop-off meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English and includes bilingual guides.

How large can the group be?

The tour has a maximum of 23 people.

Should I bring cash?

Yes. Not all of the wineries accept credit cards, and you may want to buy wine or olive oil during the visits.