Maipu Wine Tour: 3 Wineries and Olive Oil Factory

Maipu pairs wine with olive oil. This six-hour outing takes you from Mendoza to three boutique wineries and an olive oil factory, with the Andes in view and transportation handled for you. I like the small-group limit of 10 people and the chance to visit places where the focus is on local producers rather than large-scale wine tourism.

I also like the practical hotel pickup and the personal touch described by guests who worked with Gonzalo, Gustavo, and Marlene. The main consideration is timing: the tour begins in the afternoon, and lunch is not listed among the included features, even though one guest described a three-course lunch on a particular outing.

Key points at a glance

• Three boutique wineries: Expect a more personal wine visit, with a focus on the people and production behind the bottles.
• Olive oil tasting included: The olivicola visit adds a useful food experience, not just another round of wine.
• Small group of up to 10: A modest group should make questions and conversation easier.
• Hotel pickup in Mendoza: Transfers, reservations, and coordination are handled for you.
• Afternoon schedule: Pickup normally begins between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m., with the full outing lasting about six hours.
• Good value at $37: The price includes transport, alcoholic beverages, three winery visits and tastings, plus the olive oil stop.

Why Maipu makes a good first wine day

Maipu is one of the key wine areas around Mendoza, and it offers an easy way to get beyond the city without turning the day into a complicated transport project. You are not simply being dropped at a tasting room. The plan links several wine producers with a visit focused on olive oil, giving you two sides of the region’s food culture.

I like that the tour puts boutique wineries at the center. Large wineries can have polished facilities and broad visitor programs, but smaller producers often give you a closer look at the people, methods, and local character behind the bottle. The description promises visits to three author wineries, with time to speak with people who understand why Maipu matters to Argentine wine.

That wording also signals the right expectation. This is not presented as a fast circuit of famous brand names. You should expect a day built around tasting, conversation, and the pleasure of comparing one winery with the next. If you want a long technical lesson on viticulture, the available details do not promise that level of depth. If you want a friendly introduction to Maipu, the format makes good sense.

The setting adds another reason to go. Vineyards with the Andes Mountains behind them give the day a strong visual identity. The mountains may not be the main activity, but they provide the backdrop that makes Mendoza wine country feel distinct from a generic tasting tour.

The afternoon pickup from your Mendoza hotel

Pickup normally begins between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m., though the exact time is confirmed after booking. You need to provide the full address of your accommodation so the local team can coordinate the route and contact you before arrival.

That arrangement removes one of the most annoying parts of a wine day: figuring out how to reach several rural stops and arranging a safe return after tastings. An air-conditioned vehicle is included, which matters in Mendoza’s dry climate and keeps the journey more comfortable between visits.

The total duration is about six hours, including pickup and return to your hotel. Since the schedule is described as an afternoon start, you should plan for the tour to occupy most of the rest of your day. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You will want to be at ease during transport, tastings, and walks around the winery and olive facility.

The group limit is 10 people. That is small enough to feel more manageable than a large coach tour, while still allowing the operator to keep the price at $37 per person. I would not assume that every departure will feel private, but the size should give you a fair chance to hear the guide and ask questions.

Three boutique wineries and a closer look at Malbec

The wine portion is the heart of the outing. You visit three wineries, taste at each one, and get a chance to compare their styles rather than forming an opinion from a single stop.

That comparison is useful for anyone new to Argentine wine. You can sample different Malbecs and decide which one suits you best, instead of treating Mendoza wine as one uniform product. The tour description encourages you to learn why Maipu is regarded as the birthplace of wine in the area, so the visits should connect what is in your glass with the place producing it.

I especially like the emphasis on author wineries. That phrase suggests independent or boutique operations where the owners and winemakers have a strong hand in the final product. You may find that each stop has its own mood and approach, but the supplied details do not name the wineries, so you should not book expecting a particular famous label.

The tasting format includes alcoholic beverages and visits at all three wineries. That makes the price easier to assess, since you are paying for several tastings rather than a single sample session. It also means you should pace yourself. You are visiting three wineries plus an olive oil producer in one afternoon, so the pleasure comes from tasting thoughtfully, not from treating every stop as a drinking contest.

The clearest practical benefit is access. Reservations and coordination are handled by the tour company, so you do not have to contact three wineries separately or build a route around their opening hours. For a first visit to Mendoza, that saved effort is worth real money and time.

The olive oil stop adds a useful second flavor

The olive oil factory gives the tour a welcome change of pace. Instead of moving from one wine tasting directly to another, you get to learn about extra virgin olive oil and sample it at a respected local producer.

The description calls olive oil liquid gold, but the real value is more practical: you can taste the product on its own and learn how it can affect cooking. I like this part because it gives you something useful to take home beyond a bottle of wine. You may leave with a better sense of what separates a mild oil from a stronger one, though the exact tasting lineup is not specified.

The stop also helps break up the rhythm of three wineries. Wine tastings can begin to blur together when every visit follows the same pattern. Olive oil offers a different aroma, texture, and way to use your senses, so it gives the afternoon a clearer variety.

The company describes the olive oil producer as one of the region’s most prestigious. Since the specific name is not provided, I would treat that as a description of the stop rather than a reason to expect a particular brand. What is confirmed is the visit and tasting, and that is enough to make it a meaningful part of the program.

Andes views and the feel of Mendoza wine country

The scenery is an important part of the appeal, even though this is not a hiking tour. You will see vineyards with the Andes Mountains in the background, a combination that gives the outing a strong sense of place.

The views are best understood as part of the day’s rhythm. You travel out from the city, move between vineyards and production sites, and have time to notice the open setting around you. I would bring a phone or camera, but I would not book this as a dedicated scenic excursion. The main activities remain tasting and learning.

The mountain backdrop also helps explain why Mendoza wine feels tied to its region. The tour is not only about what is poured into your glass. It is about seeing the agricultural setting where the grapes and olives are grown, then connecting that setting with the food and drink in front of you.

Because the tour runs in the afternoon, light and weather can affect how much you enjoy the views. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a day built around outdoor movement and countryside scenery.

What the service can add to the day

The strongest service details come from the people involved. Gonzalo is described as a friendly remis driver who provided information throughout the outing, not just transportation. Gustavo is praised in connection with the winery and lunch tour, while Marlene is described as attentive and willing to offer alternatives based on individual interests.

Those details suggest a flexible local operation rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all program. You should still confirm the exact plan when booking, but the ability to adjust around your availability or interests can be especially useful if you have only one day in Mendoza.

The driver-guide role matters on a wine tour. A driver who only handles the road gets you from place to place. Someone who also shares local information can help you understand what you are seeing between stops. The available information does not promise a formal wine educator at every winery, so I would value the service for its local guidance and organization rather than expect a highly technical course.

The tour is offered in English. That makes it accessible to English-speaking visitors, though the details do not specify whether every winery presentation is delivered directly in English or translated by the guide. If language support is a major concern, it is sensible to confirm that point before departure.

Price, lunch, and what the $37 covers

At $37 per person, this is priced as an accessible introduction to Maipu. You receive an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and return, alcoholic beverages, tastings at three wineries, and an olive oil visit with tasting.

I see the value in the package because transportation is often the awkward and costly part of a wine day. Hiring separate rides, arranging appointments, and paying for several tastings can quickly become more expensive than expected. Here, the basic coordination is included.

There is one point to check carefully: lunch does not appear in the stated inclusions. A guest described a three-course lunch on a July 9 outing, when the area was decorated for the Argentine national holiday, but that may have been part of a different arrangement or an added tour option. Do not assume lunch is included in the $37 price unless the operator confirms it.

That distinction matters because the tour begins in the afternoon and lasts about six hours. You may want to eat before pickup or ask exactly how meal arrangements work. A snack or meal plan can make the day more comfortable, especially if you are not used to several tastings in succession.

Who will enjoy this Maipu outing most

I would recommend this tour to couples who want an easy day with food, wine, and scenery. The small group and boutique winery focus should suit people who prefer conversation and local character over a large commercial operation.

It also fits friends looking for a relaxed change from city sightseeing. You can let someone else handle the driving, compare Malbecs, and add olive oil to the tasting experience without planning every appointment yourself.

First-time wine visitors should find the structure approachable. Three wineries give you enough variety to compare, while the olive oil stop keeps the day from becoming repetitive. You do not need to arrive as a wine expert. The point is to taste, ask questions, and notice what you like.

I would be more cautious if you want a full-day excursion beginning early in the morning, a formal vineyard walk, or a detailed account of one major winery. The program is an afternoon, multi-stop introduction, and the available information does not promise extensive vineyard activities or a particular estate.

It may also be less suitable if lunch is essential to your plan. Since lunch is not clearly included, confirm before booking or make your own arrangements.

Booking, pickup, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at booking, and pickup is available from your accommodation in Mendoza. Provide an accurate address, then watch for confirmation of the exact pickup time, normally within the 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. window.

The tour allows service animals, is near public transportation, and is suitable for most people. The group maximum is 10, and the operator is Vempra Turismo.

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The outing also depends on a minimum number of participants, and weather can affect departure. If the company cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Maipu Wine Tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized, reasonably priced introduction to Mendoza’s wine country, especially if you value small wineries, hotel transport, and a second tasting focused on olive oil. The three-winery format gives you variety, while the Andes views and local drivers add a sense of place.

Before paying, confirm the exact pickup time, the names of the wineries, and whether lunch is available or included. If those points match your plans, $37 is a strong value for six hours of tastings and transport. I would choose this outing for a first Maipu visit or for a single free day in Mendoza, not for an intensive wine-study program.

FAQ

Where does the Maipu Wine Tour start?

Pickup takes place at your accommodation in Mendoza. You need to provide the address when booking so the operator can coordinate the route.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 2:00 p.m. Pickups normally begin between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m., with the exact time confirmed when you book.

How long does the tour last?

The total duration is approximately six hours, including pickup and return to your hotel.

How many wineries are included?

The tour includes visits and tastings at three wineries in Maipu.

Is olive oil tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes a visit and tasting at an olivicola, or olive oil producer.

What is the cancellation policy?

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