Tour of 3 wineries in Maipú with lunch + olive groves

Mendoza’s wine country fits neatly into one day. This seven-hour tour takes you from central Mendoza to three traditional Maipú wineries, with guided visits, wine tastings, a winery lunch, and a taste of local alfajores. I especially like the door-to-door city pickup and the fact that lunch and wine pairings are included, so you can enjoy the day without sorting out taxis or restaurant reservations.

I also like the mix of stops. The first two wineries focus on production and tasting, while the final visit at Esencia 1870 adds a longer meal and food tasting. The main caution is comfort: one report found the vehicle too small for four people, and service at the lunch stop can be slow, so this suits you best if you prefer a relaxed day rather than a tightly timed schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Maipú wineries in one day: The usual wineries include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, and Cecchin, though the final selection can change.
• Lunch with wine pairings included: The final winery visit lasts about two hours and includes a meal paired with different varietals.
• A useful central Mendoza pickup: Pickup and drop-off are offered at eight listed city hotels and hostels.
• English can be arranged for the visits: The winery tours and tastings can be adapted to English, but the driver speaks Spanish.
• A small local food touch: The third stop includes Mendoza alfajores as part of the tasting.
• Good value at $120: Transport, three winery visits, tastings, and lunch are bundled into one price.

Leaving Mendoza for Maipú’s wine roads

The day begins with hotel pickup in central Mendoza. You wait at reception, not in your room, because the guide needs to find you quickly and keep the route moving. Pickup is available at 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.

If your accommodation is not on that list, you can send the address ahead of time to arrange a transfer. That is useful if you are staying just outside the usual hotel zone, although the provided information does not guarantee pickup from every address.

The drive to the Maipú area takes about 45 minutes, followed by another roughly 30 minutes in the route before the winery visits begin. You should think of this as part of the day, not dead time. Mendoza’s city center and its wine-producing districts are separate places, and a guided vehicle saves you from arranging several rides between rural properties.

The return drive is listed at about 75 minutes after the final stop. That longer stretch can matter after lunch and wine tastings, particularly if you have evening plans. I would avoid booking a late dinner, bus, or flight immediately afterward.

First and second stops: traditional winery visits

The first two winery stops each allow about one hour. At both, you can expect a guided visit followed by wine tasting. The focus is on traditional production methods and the main grape varieties offered by each winery.

The exact wineries can vary. The usual possibilities include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, and Cecchin. This flexibility is worth understanding before you book. You are buying a route through Maipú’s wine culture rather than a guaranteed appointment at one named cellar.

That said, the range of possible wineries gives the day a useful local character. These are described as traditional wineries, so the appeal is less about a single famous label and more about seeing how wine tourism works across several Mendoza producers. You get repeated chances to compare styles, tasting rooms, and explanations instead of basing your whole day on one property.

The first transfer between stops takes about 30 minutes. After the second winery, the next drive is about 15 minutes. Those short road sections break up the tastings and give you time to reset your palate.

I would treat the first two visits as the educational part of the day. Listen for differences in grape varieties, production methods, and house style. You may also receive small bites with the wine. One account specifically appreciated having a tapa alongside the tastings, which makes the samples easier to enjoy and gives the experience more substance than a series of bare pours.

Facilities can vary from one winery to another. At some properties, bathrooms may be a long walk away or not open when expected. If you need a restroom, it is sensible to ask before leaving each stop rather than assume the next one will be nearby.

The final winery and the two-hour lunch

The last stop is the longest and usually takes place at Esencia 1870. You receive another guided visit and wine tasting, then sit down for lunch paired with different wines. The meal is described as gourmet, with dishes selected to match the varietals being served.

This is the part that turns the outing from a string of tastings into a full-day food and wine experience. You are not paying separately for a restaurant meal, transfers, or a final tasting. At $120 per person, that bundled format makes the price easier to justify, particularly if you would otherwise book a private ride to Maipú and pay for lunch at a winery.

The lunch stop also includes a food tasting of Mendoza alfajores. These filled sweets are a familiar Argentine treat, and their inclusion adds a simple regional detail to the program. It is a small touch, but it helps the final stop feel connected to local food rather than focused only on wine.

I would keep your expectations realistic about service speed. Lunch can be very good, but the service has been slow at times. The schedule allows two hours, which gives the meal room to unfold, yet the late return drive means a delayed lunch may affect your plans back in Mendoza.

What $120 includes, and what it does not

The price is $120 per person. Included are transfers from central city accommodations, a guided visit and wine tasting at each of three wineries, and lunch with wine pairings at the final stop.

That is a solid package for anyone who values convenience. You avoid renting a car, choosing designated drivers, navigating between wineries, and arranging a separate lunch. The route also covers three properties in one day, which would take more effort to organize independently.

The value is strongest for couples, small groups, and first-time visitors who want an overview of Maipú without spending time on local transport. It is less compelling if you already have a car, prefer to visit only one or two specific wineries, or want a private itinerary built around a named producer.

You should also note what is not promised. The operator does not guarantee that every winery listed in the description will be visited. If a named property cannot be confirmed, another winery of similar quality and wine-tourism service is used instead. That protects the route from last-minute gaps, but it means you should not book solely for one particular cellar.

The booking terms add flexibility. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful when your Mendoza plans are still changing.

Transport, language, and the shape of the day

The tour uses a van, with pickup and drop-off at central accommodations. One strong point is the door-to-door service. A friendly, professional driver and a comfortable vehicle made the day feel easy in one account, but another found the vehicle cramped for four people.

That contrast tells you what to ask before confirming. Vehicle comfort can depend on the group and the van assigned that day. If you are sensitive to tight seating, contact the operator and ask about the expected vehicle and group size.

The winery visits and tastings can be adapted to English. The driver speaks Spanish, however, so you should not expect every piece of transportation commentary to be in English. For English-speaking visitors, the important winery explanations can be handled in English, but the day may feel more mixed outside the cellar tours.

Spanish is also available. The experience provider is Vínica Wine Tours, and the listed live-tour languages are Spanish and English.

The full timing looks like this:

• Central Mendoza pickup
• About 45 minutes by van
• About 30 more minutes of route time
• First Maipú winery, roughly one hour
• About 15 minutes by van
• Second Maipú winery, roughly one hour
• About 15 minutes by van
• Final winery, lunch, tasting, and alfajores, roughly two hours
• About 75 minutes back to Mendoza

The times are useful for planning, but winery service does not always run like a train timetable. Leave breathing room at the end of your day.

Who will enjoy this Maipú tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want an easy introduction to Mendoza wine country and prefer a planned route over independent research. The included meal makes it especially appealing if you want a proper winery lunch without working out which properties accept reservations.

It also suits you if your group has mixed interests. Wine lovers get three tastings and production visits, while anyone less focused on technical wine details still gets a meal, local sweets, and a day outside the city.

The route may be less suitable if you want a quiet, highly personal visit at one estate. Three wineries in seven hours means the day has a set rhythm. You will spend time in the van, and the stops may not all be at the properties you had in mind.

I would also think twice if accessibility is a major concern. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and some winery bathrooms may involve a considerable walk. Ask the operator about current access arrangements if you have mobility needs that are not covered by the formal wheelchair restriction.

Practical advice for a better day

Wait at the reception desk before pickup. Do not wait in your room, since the guide may not be able to reach you and a delayed departure can affect the entire group.

Bring your accommodation address if it is not one of the listed pickup locations. The operator can coordinate the transfer, but this should be handled before the morning of the tour.

Wear shoes suitable for walking around winery properties. The exact route and facilities vary, and one stop may require a longer walk to the bathroom or between areas.

Keep your evening open. The return trip is listed at about 75 minutes, and lunch service may run slowly. I would not place an important appointment immediately after the scheduled finish.

If English matters to you, confirm how the winery explanations will be handled when you book. The visits and tastings can be in English, while the driver speaks Spanish. That arrangement is workable, but it is not the same as having an English-speaking guide for every minute of the day.

Finally, pace yourself. You have three tasting stops plus lunch with wine. The exact pours are not specified, so I would enjoy the food, drink water when available, and remember that the ride home is part of the package.

Should you book the three-winery Maipú experience?

Book it if you want three traditional wineries, included transportation, and a full lunch with wine pairings in one convenient day. The strong points are clear: central hotel pickup, a well-filled seven-hour schedule, food alongside the tastings, and a final stop that adds alfajores to the usual wine routine.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed visit to one specific winery, require fully English-speaking transportation, or dislike group-vehicle uncertainty. I would also leave extra time after the tour because of the long return drive and possible delays at lunch.

For most first visits to Mendoza, $120 is a fair price for the amount included. You get a broad introduction to Maipú rather than a narrow, luxury cellar visit. If that is the kind of wine day you want, this tour offers a practical way to get there and enjoy the region without having to drive.

FAQ

How long does the Maipú winery tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours, including transportation, three winery visits, tastings, and lunch.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $120 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transfers from central Mendoza accommodations, a guided visit and wine tasting at each of three wineries, and lunch with wine pairings at the final winery.

Which wineries will the tour visit?

Possible wineries include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, and Cecchin. The final selection can change, and a winery may be replaced by another of similar quality and wine-tourism service if needed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at the final winery, usually Esencia 1870, and is paired with different wines.

Can I take the tour in English?

The winery visits and tastings can be adapted to English. The driver speaks Spanish. Spanish is also available for the tour.

Where is pickup offered?

Pickup is offered at eight central Mendoza 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. If your accommodation is not listed, you can provide its address to coordinate a transfer.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers reserve-now-and-pay-later booking.