Tour of 3 wineries in Maipú with lunch + olive groves

Maipú gives you a convenient introduction to Mendoza’s wine country without asking you to arrange taxis, restaurant reservations, and separate tastings. This seven-hour outing visits three traditional wineries, with guided tastings at each and a full lunch paired with wine at the final stop.

I like the simple all-in-one plan and the change of pace between winery visits, especially the stop that adds Mendoza alfajores to the tasting. The main caution is that the exact wineries can change, and the driver may speak Spanish even when the winery visits are arranged in English.

Key Points

• Three winery visits in Maipú: Taste wines at places such as Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, or Cecchin.
• Lunch with wine pairings: The final two-hour stop includes lunch, a guided visit, wine tasting, and food tasting.
• Mendoza alfajores: One winery adds a local sweet treat to the usual wine-and-snacks routine.
• Central hotel pickup: Transfers are included from eight listed hotels and hostels in Mendoza city center.
• English support is available: Winery visits and tastings can be conducted in English, but the driver may speak Spanish.
• Seven-hour schedule: The day includes travel between stops, two shorter tastings, and a longer final meal.

Why Maipú Works for a First Wine Day

Mendoza is spread out, and the province has several wine areas. Maipú is one of the easier choices when you are staying in the city of Mendoza. This tour lets you reach the vineyards and return to the city in one day, without having to hire a driver or work out a safe way back after several tastings.

The focus is on traditional wineries rather than one large commercial estate. That gives the day a useful local feel. You visit several producers, hear about classic winemaking methods, and taste different varietals in separate settings. The wineries may include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, and Cecchin. The final lunch is listed at Esencia 1870.

I like this format because each tasting remains fairly contained. Two winery visits last about an hour each, then the last stop gets two hours for lunch, food tasting, the guided visit, and more wine. You are not rushing through three identical tasting rooms or spending the whole day at a single estate.

The tradeoff is predictability. The named wineries are examples, not a fixed promise. If one cannot be confirmed, the operator replaces it with another winery of similar quality and wine-tourism service. If you have your heart set on one particular producer, this is not the right arrangement.

Pickup in Mendoza and the Ride to Maipú

Pickup is available from eight central locations, including Park Hyatt Mendoza, Hotel Crillón Mendoza, Villaggio Hotel Boutique, Hostel Central, Soltigua Apart Hotel Mendoza, Sheraton Mendoza Hotel, Amérian Executive Mendoza Hotel, and Gorilla Hostel. You wait at the hotel reception, not in your room. That small detail matters because a delayed pickup can affect the entire day.

The tour includes door-to-door service from the listed city-center accommodations. If your accommodation is not on the list, you can send the address to arrange a transfer. Confirm this before booking rather than assuming every Mendoza address is covered.

The schedule includes a 45-minute van ride and another 30-minute transfer before the first winery stop. The exact timing can vary with pickup locations and road conditions, but you should expect a substantial morning ride before the tasting begins. Bring water and keep breakfast sensible. Wine tasting on an empty stomach is a poor plan, especially when lunch comes later.

Transport is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. One account describes a friendly, professional driver and a comfortable vehicle with door-to-door service. Another points out that the vehicle felt too small even with four people. The sensible expectation is that comfort may depend on the vehicle assigned and the number of passengers that day.

The driver speaks Spanish, according to the tour information. The visits and tastings can be adapted for English, but that does not necessarily mean every transfer conversation or explanation from the driver will be in English. If detailed English commentary throughout the drive matters to you, ask ahead.

The First Winery: An Hour of Traditional Wine

The first winery stop in Maipú lasts about one hour. You receive a guided visit and a wine tasting, with an introduction to traditional production methods and the varietals made at that winery.

An hour is enough for a clear introduction, but not enough for a long technical lesson. You can expect the emphasis to be on how the winery works, what you are tasting, and the character of the wines. The exact tasting lineup depends on the winery assigned that day.

This first stop is useful for getting your bearings. You can compare the feel of a traditional producer with the second winery later in the day, rather than trying to understand Mendoza wine from one tasting alone. Small bites may accompany some tastings, though you should not treat those as a replacement for breakfast or lunch.

Pay attention to the guide’s language at this stop. English can be arranged for the winery visit and tasting, while Spanish may be used around transport and general coordination. If your group includes people with different language needs, tell the operator early.

The Second Winery Adds Another Point of Comparison

After about 15 minutes in the van, you reach the second Maipú winery. This visit also lasts about one hour and includes a guided tour and wine tasting.

The value here is comparison. Three stops allow you to notice differences in production style, tasting-room presentation, and the way each producer explains its wines. You may find that one winery focuses more on the cellar while another spends more time on the tasting itself. The schedule does not promise a particular style, so stay open to a change in emphasis.

Some tasting stops may include a small tapa with the wine. That is a pleasant extra and gives you something savory between pours, but the amount is not specified. If you need a substantial meal early in the day, eat before pickup.

The short transfer between the second and third wineries keeps the day moving. You are not spending long stretches in the van once the Maipú portion begins. Still, the overall outing is seven hours, so this suits you best if you enjoy a full-day food and wine program rather than a quick tasting before dinner.

Esencia 1870 and the Two-Hour Lunch

The final winery receives the most time, about two hours. This stop includes a guided visit, wine tasting, food tasting, and lunch paired with different wine varietals. The lunch is scheduled at Esencia 1870.

This is the part that turns the outing into a complete wine-country day. You are not simply tasting at three counters and being sent back to town. The meal gives you time to sit down, eat properly, and see how wine works with food.

The exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. The important promise is the pairing: dishes are selected to go with different varietals. That makes the lunch useful even if you are new to wine. Instead of judging each bottle on its own, you can notice how food changes the taste.

The final stop also includes Mendoza alfajores. These filled sweets are a local favorite and provide a welcome change from the usual bread, cheese, or small savory bite served at tastings. If you enjoy food details as much as wine, this is one of the day’s more distinctive touches.

One practical warning concerns service speed. The lunch can be very good, but service may move slowly. That is not necessarily a problem during a relaxed winery meal, but it is worth knowing if you have evening plans in Mendoza. The tour includes a 75-minute return drive after the final stop, so leave your night open rather than booking an early dinner, show, or bus.

What the $120 Price Really Covers

At $120 per person, the price includes transportation from the city center, wine tasting at all three wineries, and lunch with wine pairings. It also covers the guided winery visits and the food tasting at the final stop.

That is a fair package if you want convenience. Booking three tastings separately would mean arranging transport between estates, finding a lunch reservation, and managing the return trip after drinking wine. Here, the main pieces are bundled together, and you can focus on the day rather than the logistics.

The value is strongest for visitors staying in central Mendoza who want one organized wine day. It is also useful for a group that does not want to nominate a driver. You are paying for access, food, wine, and transport, not just for a ride to Maipú.

The value is less clear if you already have a rental car, a private driver, or a strong preference for specific wineries. The itinerary can change, and the experience is shared rather than fully private. In that case, a custom wine day may give you more control, though likely with a different price.

The phrase all-inclusive should be read in context. The stated inclusions are the three winery visits and tastings, lunch with wine pairings, and transfers from central accommodation. Personal purchases, extra drinks, and anything outside those items are not specifically included.

Language, Group Comfort, and Accessibility

The tour is offered in Spanish and English. Visits and tastings can be conducted in English, but the driver speaks Spanish. That arrangement can work well if your main goal is to understand the wineries and wines, but it may feel limited if you want a fully English-speaking guide from hotel pickup through the return.

No group size is provided, so you should not assume a private vehicle or a small group. One account found the vehicle comfortable, while another found it cramped even with four people. If space is important to you, ask about the vehicle and expected group size before paying.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Some winery bathrooms may also require a fairly long walk, and access may not always be convenient. If you have limited mobility, ask the operator for current details about each confirmed winery rather than relying on the general schedule.

The pickup system is straightforward. Wait at reception and be ready when the vehicle arrives. Do not stay in your room, since the group cannot wait indefinitely at each hotel.

Who Will Enjoy This Wine Day Most

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Mendoza for the first time and want an easy introduction to Maipú. It gives you three separate winery settings, a proper meal, and transport in one booking. It also suits couples and small groups who want to taste wine without worrying about driving.

Food-focused visitors should appreciate the final stop. Lunch is paired with wines, and the day includes alfajores as well as smaller food pairings. That makes the experience broader than a series of technical tastings.

It is also a good fit if you prefer traditional wineries to a single polished attraction. The exact producers can change, but the plan remains centered on classic production methods, regional wines, and local food.

I would hesitate if you need a wheelchair-accessible itinerary, insist on a specific winery, or want a private tour with a guaranteed English-speaking driver. I would also think twice if you dislike long days in a shared vehicle or have evening plans that cannot move.

Booking Tips for a Smoother Day

Check the pickup point carefully and wait at reception. Central Mendoza has several hotels with similar names, and a missed pickup can disrupt the entire schedule.

Ask which wineries are confirmed if a particular producer matters to you. The possible stops include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, Cecchin, and Esencia 1870 for lunch, but substitutions are allowed.

Tell the operator your preferred language before the tour. English can be arranged for the visits and tastings, though the driver may speak Spanish.

Wear comfortable shoes. The itinerary includes winery visits and walking between some facilities, and access to bathrooms may not always be close. Since the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, anyone with mobility concerns should request specific information in advance.

Keep your evening flexible. The return transfer is listed at about 75 minutes after the final stop, and lunch service may be slow. A relaxed schedule makes the day more enjoyable.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if you are still adjusting your Mendoza plans, but confirm the final pickup details before the day itself.

Should You Book This Maipú Tour?

Book it if you want a practical, food-centered introduction to Mendoza wine country with three tastings, lunch, alfajores, and included city transfers. The strongest points are the easy transport, the variety of winery stops, and the substantial final meal.

Skip it if you need a fully private or wheelchair-accessible outing, a guaranteed named winery, or a driver who speaks English throughout the day. For most first-time visitors staying in central Mendoza, the $120 price buys a useful amount of food, wine, and convenience, as long as you accept the flexible winery lineup and possible vehicle limitations.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour takes place in Maipú, in Mendoza Province, Argentina, with pickup and drop-off from selected accommodations in central Mendoza.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours, including hotel pickup, winery visits, lunch, and the return transfer.

How many wineries will I visit?

You will visit three wineries, each with a guided visit and wine tasting.

Which wineries are included?

Possible wineries include Viña El Cerno, Corbel, Don Arturo, Vistandes, and Cecchin. The exact wineries may change if one cannot be confirmed, and another winery of equal quality and wine-tourism service may be substituted.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included at the final winery, listed as Esencia 1870, and is paired with different wine varietals.

Are wine tastings included?

Yes. A wine tasting is included at each of the three wineries.

Is transportation included?

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

Can I take the tour in English?

The winery visits and tastings can be adapted for English. The driver speaks Spanish, so not every part of the transport may be conducted in English.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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