Bodega Decero+Almuerzo Susana Balbo (Guia Michelin).

A great Mendoza day pairs wine with a proper lunch. This private outing links Finca Decero with Susana Balbo Wines, giving you two different winery visits, private transport, and a polished food-and-wine experience in about four to six hours. I like the sweeping Andes views at Decero and the carefully matched lunch at Susana Balbo. The main concern is that the day depends heavily on smooth communication between the driver, tour provider, and wineries.

I also like that the tour is private, so your group is not folded into a large coach party. The chance to taste wines close to the vineyards, then sit down to a substantial meal at Susana Balbo, gives the day a good rhythm. Still, at $240 per person, you should expect reliable timing and careful handling of your reservations. A few reported mix-ups show that this is worth confirming before departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different winery stops: Finca Decero focuses on vineyard setting, altitude, sustainability, and terroir, while Susana Balbo brings wine tasting together with a refined lunch.
• Private transportation is included: Pickup is offered from your hotel or Airbnb within the stated service area, using an air-conditioned vehicle.
• The Susana Balbo meal is the star for many wine lovers: The harmonized menu and service receive the strongest praise, with the lunch described as excellent and memorable.
• Finca Decero offers mountain scenery: The Andes views, vineyards, and even sightings of hawks add a strong sense of place.
• Allow four to six hours: The listed visits total about four hours, but driving and meal timing can stretch the day toward six.
• Confirm the menu and reservations: One booking encountered confusion over a four-step and six-step menu, so checking the exact arrangement ahead of time is sensible.

Two Mendoza wineries, one long lunch

Mendoza wine country is best enjoyed at a slower pace. You are not simply stopping to buy a bottle, pose beside a barrel, and rush away. This experience gives you time at two wineries, with the second visit built around food.

The format works because the stops have different personalities. Finca Decero is about the vineyard, the setting, and the care that goes into expressing the land through wine. Susana Balbo is more focused on the finished experience: polished tasting, architecture, service, and a multi-course lunch with pairings.

The total price is $240 per person. That is not a casual half-day outing, but the cost includes private transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, winery visits, tastings, and lunch. For a couple or small private group that values convenience, the package can make sense. You are paying not only for wine, but also for a driver and a prearranged day that removes the need to manage two winery appointments yourself.

The value depends on execution. If the vehicle arrives on time and the reservations are correct, the private format gives you comfort and flexibility that a group excursion may not. If communication fails, the price feels much harder to justify.

Finca Decero and the appeal of vineyard views

Your first stop is Finca Decero, with about one hour allotted and admission included. The winery is known for high-quality wines, careful attention to terroir, high-altitude vineyards, and sustainable cultivation.

Those details matter because they shape the tasting. Rather than treating Malbec as an isolated product, the visit connects the wine to the vines and growing conditions. You may hear about the influence of altitude, sustainable farming, and the winery’s approach to making wines that reflect their origin.

The setting is a major part of the experience. The vineyards open toward the Andes, and the mountain views are among the most memorable features of the day. Hawks have also been spotted around the property, an unusual touch that adds to the feeling of being in working countryside rather than a city tasting room.

Finca Decero offers a chance to explore several grape varieties while learning about winemaking. The information provided does not specify the exact tasting lineup, so you should not assume a particular number of pours or vintages. If the staff invites you to walk near the vines with a glass, listen carefully to the instructions and keep track of your tasting glass. One past visit involved confusion when glasses were removed from the table during a walk, leaving some pours untasted.

That problem may have been a one-off, but it gives you a useful tip: before leaving the table, ask which glasses will remain available when you return. It is a small question that can protect a costly tasting.

The one-hour schedule is enough for an introduction, but it is not generous. If you want a long vineyard walk, extensive photography, and a detailed cellar visit, this may feel quick. If you mainly want a scenic first tasting before lunch, the timing should fit well.

Susana Balbo Wines and the main event at the table

The second stop lasts about three hours, and that longer visit tells you where the day places its emphasis. Susana Balbo Wines is a well-known Mendoza winery founded by winemaker Susana Balbo. Its identity combines modern winemaking, sustainable practices, distinctive architecture, and a broad range of wines.

The winery produces classic varieties as well as more personal, author-driven wines. Its reputation comes from technical skill and international recognition, but the useful point for you is simpler: this is the stop where the wine is presented as part of a full meal rather than as a quick tasting.

The harmonized lunch receives the warmest praise in the available feedback. The menu and service have been described as impeccable, and the pairing has been called excellent. For someone who sees lunch as a central part of a Mendoza wine day, this is the strongest reason to book.

You should expect the meal and tastings to take time. Three hours allows the food, wine, and service to unfold without the rushed feeling of a standard stop. The exact dishes and number of courses are not supplied, so confirm whether your booking includes the four-step or six-step menu. A previous reservation showed the wrong menu level on arrival, with the group offered the choice of paying the difference.

That kind of confusion can sour an otherwise fine meal. It is wise to keep your booking confirmation available on your phone and ask the tour provider to verify the menu before the day begins. The tour is offered with a mobile ticket, which makes this especially easy.

The restaurant team has been praised for being attentive, polite, and kind. That is important because a long lunch is only enjoyable when service feels calm. The setting, food, and wine are intended to work together, making Susana Balbo more than a tasting stop.

Private transport, pickup, and the pace of the day

Pickup is offered from your hotel or Airbnb within the established service area. If your accommodation is outside that radius, an extra charge may be considered based on distance. The provider confirms bookings within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Private transport is one of the clearest benefits here. Only your group participates, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. You avoid waiting for a large bus to load, and you do not need to navigate Mendoza’s wine roads after tasting alcohol.

The day usually lasts four to six hours. The stated winery time adds up to four hours, but driving, check-in, the meal, and the distance between stops can lengthen the outing. I would keep the rest of your schedule light, especially if you want to enjoy lunch rather than watch the clock.

Driver quality matters. One driver named in the feedback was Matias, who was described as attentive. Another account reported a kind driver who became lost several times. That contrast points to the main practical weakness: the tour’s enjoyment can depend on navigation and communication as much as on the wineries themselves.

There was also a complaint about a driver entering the restaurant during lunch to ask how much longer the group would take. That is not the relaxed tone you want during an expensive meal. If you book, clarify the planned pickup time and let the restaurant and driver know that the lunch is part of the experience, not a quick roadside stop.

What the $240 price really buys you

At $240 per person, this tour is aimed at people who want a prepared private day rather than a budget tasting circuit. The inclusions are meaningful: transport, vehicle, lunch, visits, and tastings. You also gain the convenience of having two winery reservations connected in one itinerary.

The price looks strongest for a small group that would otherwise need to arrange a private car and book each winery independently. It also suits anyone who does not want to drink and drive. The private setup can make the day feel personal, provided the schedule is handled well.

The value is less clear if your main goal is simply to taste inexpensive local wine. In that case, a shorter tasting or a winery lunch booked directly may cost less. The premium here is for the pairing of two respected wineries, a scenic setting, and a more formal meal.

Susana Balbo is the part most likely to justify the price. The combination of food, wine, service, and architecture gives the day a polished finish. Finca Decero adds the vineyard connection and the Andes views, but the one-hour stop may feel more introductory than extensive.

Strengths and possible snags

The strongest feature is the contrast between the two wineries. You begin with vines, altitude, open views, and a sense of agricultural place. You finish with a long, carefully planned meal where wine and food share equal billing.

The second major strength is the private format. You can travel with your own group, use the air-conditioned vehicle, and avoid a crowded excursion. For a birthday, anniversary, or small wine-focused holiday, that privacy has real value.

The weaknesses are mostly logistical rather than scenic or culinary. Reservation details need to be correct. Menu levels need to match what you paid for. Pickup times need to be clear. A lost driver or an overly hurried departure can undermine a day that should feel leisurely.

The overall rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings, which fits the picture: strong food and winery experiences, with a few service and coordination problems. I would not dismiss the tour because of those issues, but I would not book it without checking the details either.

Who will enjoy this Mendoza wine tour most

This experience suits you if you care about both wine and food. It is especially appealing if a Michelin Guide associated lunch is a major part of your Mendoza plans and you want private transport included.

You will likely appreciate it if you prefer a compact itinerary with two substantial stops instead of a rushed circuit of three or four wineries. The four-to-six-hour length leaves room for a proper lunch while keeping the day manageable.

It is also a good match for small private groups that want convenience. Since only your group participates, you can avoid the social unpredictability of a larger bus tour.

I would be more cautious if you want a detailed vineyard hike, a long cellar tour, or a very flexible schedule. Finca Decero receives about an hour, and the day is tied to fixed winery reservations. You should also consider another option if you dislike formal meals or feel uncomfortable paying extra to correct a menu mismatch.

Booking tips that can prevent trouble

Keep your mobile ticket and confirmation accessible. Check that the booking lists the correct number of guests, pickup address, date, and lunch menu.

Ask the provider to confirm whether your meal is the four-step or six-step version. This is the single most useful check, since a menu discrepancy previously caused an awkward arrival.

Confirm the pickup time and expected return time. The stated duration is approximate, so do not schedule a tight afternoon appointment immediately afterward.

If your hotel or Airbnb is outside the normal pickup area, ask about the possible surcharge before paying. You will avoid an unpleasant surprise on the day.

At Finca Decero, ask how the tasting works before walking with a glass. You want to enjoy the vines without losing part of the included tasting.

Alcohol is served only to adults. Most people can participate, but the experience centers on wine, so it is not designed for someone who wants to avoid alcohol altogether.

Cancellation is free when made at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation made within 24 hours is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a private Mendoza day built around a memorable lunch, scenic vineyards, and two respected wineries. Susana Balbo is the main draw, while Finca Decero gives the outing a more rural and visual opening.

I would book it only after confirming the menu, pickup details, and timing in writing. That small step addresses the main risks without taking away from the tour’s real strengths.

If the lunch matters more than visiting two wineries, you could also consider arranging Susana Balbo directly and organizing separate transport. But if you value having the day packaged together, and the provider confirms everything clearly, the $240 price can be fair for the privacy, convenience, tastings, and meal.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The experience takes place in Mendoza, Argentina, with visits to Finca Decero and Susana Balbo Wines.

How long does the tour last?

The approximate duration is four to six hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from your hotel or Airbnb within the established service area.

Is there an extra pickup charge?

An additional charge may be considered if your accommodation is outside the pickup radius, depending on its distance.

Is transportation private?

Yes. Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle is included, and only your group participates.

Are winery admission and tastings included?

Yes. Winery visits and tastings are included in the tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Susana Balbo Wines is included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Can children participate?

Most people can participate, but alcoholic beverages are served only to adults.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.