Private Transfer + Lujan de Cuyo Vinicolas / Maipu

This is a great Mendoza day when you want wine country plus a change of pace, without the hassle of driving. You start early, ride in an air-conditioned private vehicle, and get a smooth route between Luján de Cuyo and Maipú.

I like how the plan includes both wine tasting and a focused olive oil visit, so it does not feel like the same activity repeated three times. I also like that your lunch comes with wine harmonization, which means you are not stuck guessing what to order.

One consideration: the day is built to fit a lot in, so if you dislike scheduled tastings or you want a slow, wandering pace, this may feel like a “do it now” kind of outing.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Private transfer all day: comfort and no waiting around for public transport
• Bodega Sottano tasting time: a guided visit plus wine tasting in Luján de Cuyo
• Olivicola LAUR olive grove focus: extra virgin olive oil tasting tied to Mendoza tradition
• Finca Agostino lunch with wine pairings: you get a structured meal experience
• On-board bottled water: easy hydration while you travel and taste

Why This Mendoza Wine, Olive, and Lunch Day Works

Mendoza is famous for wine, but this itinerary adds something many wine-only days miss: olives. That shift is what keeps the day from feeling repetitive, because extra virgin olive oil tasting has its own smells, flavors, and food logic.

You also get the advantage of a private schedule. Instead of figuring out timing between stops, you ride with a driver and show up ready to taste, which makes the whole day feel calmer.

And yes, you still get the big Mendoza payoff, the wine country part. You just get it with variety, plus a lunch designed around wine pairings.

Getting There Comfortably From Av. Sarmiento

Your day starts at Av. Sarmiento 632, piso 2, departamento 7, Mendoza, and it ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup is set for 8:30 am, so you can start tasting before the late-morning crowds and heat.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is included. Small detail, big difference, because tasting makes you thirsty, and summer Mendoza can be warm even when the morning starts cool.

Because it is private, you only share the experience with your group. That matters if you want to ask questions, take a slower look at labels, or keep the pace right for your timing.

Stop 1 at Bodega Sottano: Guided Tour and Wine Tasting in Luján de Cuyo

Luján de Cuyo is the opening act, and Bodega Sottano is where you settle in. You get about two hours here, with a guided tour and a wine tasting, and admission is included.

What I like about starting at a winery with a guide is that you leave with context, not just sips. You are not only tasting, you are learning how the place thinks about its grapes and how that shows up in the glass.

Two hours is a practical sweet spot. You have time to move through the visit, taste through a few pours, and still ask questions without feeling rushed or standing around.

What to consider: if you are a very selective taster who prefers fewer wines, you might want to ask the tasting staff early how the flight is structured. That way you can pace yourself from the start.

Stop 2 at Olivicola LAUR: Extra Virgin Olive Oil From the Mendoza Groves

Then you head to Maipú, where the focus shifts to olives at Olivicola LAUR. You get about one hour at an olive grove, with admission included, and you taste extra virgin olive oil from Mendoza.

This is the stop that changes your palate mindset. Wine tasting trains you to think in terms of fruit, acidity, tannin, and finish. Olive oil tasting asks you to pay attention to bitterness, peppery notes, and how oil interacts with bread, vegetables, and richer dishes.

I like how the stop is not random. It is built around the idea that Mendoza has an olive tradition, and the tasting is meant to help you understand the secrets of extra virgin olive oil production in the region.

One practical note: olive oil tastings can make you hungry. If you are the type who gets a quick spike of appetite after tasting, pace your water between sips and smell samples, so you do not feel wiped out by lunch later.

Stop 3 at Finca Agostino: Gourmet Lunch With Wine Harmonization

The day closes at Finca Agostino with a gourmet lunch that is paired with wines. You are looking at about four hours for this part, and it includes admission.

This is the segment that tends to feel most “special” because you are not just tasting on the clock. A lunch with wine harmonization is designed like a sequence, where flavors are meant to complement what is in your glass.

If you like food that feels intentional, not generic, this is where you get it. You also get alcoholic beverages included, so the pairing is part of the experience, not an optional add-on you have to figure out on-site.

What to consider: lunch with wine pairings means you should plan to slow down and pace your intake. If you are sensitive to alcohol or you do not drink, tell your group upfront so you can adjust how you experience the meal.

Private Transfer and Included Tickets: Where the Value Comes From

At $286.67 per person, this is not a budget day tour, but it does pack in a lot that would cost extra if you arranged it yourself. You are getting private transportation, air-conditioned comfort, bottled water, lunch, alcoholic beverages, and admission tickets for each main stop.

The best value piece is the structure. Private transfer sounds basic, until you realize how much time it saves when you are hopping between Luján de Cuyo and Maipú. Instead of timing buses, coordinating rideshares, and dealing with uncertain arrival times, you move like you are on a single-day plan with a driver.

It also helps that the experiences are “entry included” style for each stop. You are less likely to get stuck at any point dealing with ticket lines, extra fees, or unclear pricing once you arrive.

About that negative experience angle: one system lesson from feedback is that winery quality can vary by which bodegas you end up at. The provider has explained that itineraries are personalized and bodegas are selected as client choices, and a staff member named Heitor specifically addressed disappointment by pointing out this personalization and reaffirming punctual, effective transfers. That tells me the smart move is to be clear about what you want from the wineries, before you go.

Timing, Pacing, and What to Bring

You start at 8:30 am, and with three stops plus transfers, the total length is listed as about 6 to 9 hours. In practical terms, expect a full half-day to a full day feel, with tasting moments built into the schedule and a longer food segment at the end.

Because you will taste wine and olive oil, comfort items matter more than usual. I would bring a light layer, even in warmer months, since winery tasting rooms can vary in temperature. Sunglasses help too, especially during the drive and outdoor grove time.

Also plan your day around hydration. Water is included on board, but tasting makes you drink without thinking. Make a habit of sipping between tastings so you stay sharp for lunch.

Finally, think about camera strategy. Wine and olive oil both involve subtle visuals, labels, and tasting-room details, but you do not want to be fumbling with your phone in your tasting hand. Keep it simple and easy to access.

What This Tour Feels Like on the Ground

This is a “guided day” in the best sense. You are not wandering alone from stop to stop, and you are not trapped in a fast, industrial pace either. The visits are long enough to ask questions, and the lunch time gives you breathing room.

It also feels well suited for couples, small groups, and anyone who wants a clean itinerary without the mental load. You get the rhythm: winery tour and tasting, olive oil grove sampling, then the structured paired meal.

If you are the type who likes to compare styles, this itinerary supports that. Wine flight choices give you a baseline, then olive oil tasting changes your palate, and lunch ties everything back together with pairing logic.

Who This Experience Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This tour is ideal if you want a private, comfort-first Mendoza day with classic regional stops. It is also a good fit if you like both wine and food, since lunch includes wine and is designed around harmonization.

It is less ideal if you prefer to spend most of your time browsing shops, taking long photo breaks, or choosing your own pacing. The schedule is built to move, and the tastings are the point, so you will be happiest if you enjoy planned experiences.

If you are traveling with anyone who does not drink, talk early with your group about how you want to handle the wine pairings. The tour includes alcoholic beverages, so your comfort with that matters.

Should You Book This Private Transfer Wine and Olive Day?

I would book it if you want an efficient Mendoza itinerary that includes admissions, a private driver, wine tastings, olive oil tasting, and a paired gourmet lunch, all in one go. The big reason is value through structure: most of the hard-to-organize pieces are already handled for you.

I would think twice if you want a super relaxed, slow day with lots of free time at every stop. This is a programmed experience, and the tastings and lunch pairing are the core of the plan.

If you do book, do one smart thing: be clear about your preferences for the wineries and the kind of day you want, because the provider has signaled that choices can be personalized. That one step helps you align expectations, especially since different bodega experiences can feel different.

If you like your Mendoza days neat, tasty, and guided, this is a strong match.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 am.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Av. Sarmiento 632 piso 2 departamento 7, M5500 Mendoza, Argentina.

How long does the experience take?

It lasts about 6 to 9 hours.

What is included in the price?

Private transportation, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and alcoholic beverages. Admission tickets are also included for each stop.

What are the main stops?

You visit Bodega Sottano, Olivicola LAUR, and Finca Agostino.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour, so only your group participates.