Half Day Tour of Wineries and Olive Oil with Lunch from Mendoza

A half-day tour in Mendoza that mixes wine tastings with a hands-on olive oil stop is a smart way to understand the region without losing a whole day to logistics. I like how the schedule focuses on two different flavors of Mendoza culture, then brings you back to town to recover.

Two things I also like a lot are the built-in tastings and tickets at each stop, and the bilingual guide service. You get the story of how wine and olive oil are made, not just a quick sip, and the guide keeps things understandable even if the process gets technical.

One consideration: lunch is not included. With a 5-hour day that can run until you get back around 7:00 pm, you’ll want to plan snacks and hydration so the whole afternoon stays comfortable.

Key highlights

• Maipú wineries plus an olive oil factory in a tight half-day schedule
• Bilingual guide who explains production and tastings as you go
• Tickets and tastings included, so you are not doing mental math all day
• Modern A/C and heating transport, helpful in hot or cool seasons
• Small group size with a maximum of 25 travelers
• Buy wine or olive oil on site, with guidance for transport by plane

Why this half-day Mendoza wine and olive oil mix makes sense

This is the kind of tour that works when you want Mendoza flavor fast. You spend most of your time where the action is, Maipú, then you get a brief introduction stop in Mendoza, and finally you return to the city at a reasonable hour.

The real win is the pairing. Wine is the headline industry in the area, but the tour also makes olive oil part of the experience, with a factory visit where you are guided through the process. That means you taste, then you learn what stands behind the taste.

You will also like the structure if you do not want to plan a DIY route. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, a modern vehicle with air-conditioning and heating, and tastings that are already timed into the day. For $100 per person, the value is mostly in organization: transportation, bilingual guiding, and the tasting access.

Picking up in Mendoza, then a short first stop

After hotel pickup, you head out for about an hour to the first stop in Mendoza. The itinerary does not spell out a specific attraction here, but it does promise a proper start to the outing, with admission tickets listed as included.

Why that matters: you are not just getting dropped at the edge of town and told good luck. The first segment is about getting everyone oriented and moving together, which reduces stress if you are unfamiliar with the area.

This first stop is also a good moment to get your bearings for the rest of the day. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the season. The tour guide does not ask you to rush through anything intense here, so you can settle in before you hit the tastings.

Maipú: boutique winery tastings plus a guided olive oil factory visit

This is the main event, about 3 hours in Maipú, and it is where the tour earns its reputation.

You get to enjoy two boutique wineries in Maipú. Each winery has specialized staff who explain the wine production process and its elaboration, then you taste wines to experience the diversity of flavors. If you have ever tasted wine and wondered what you are actually picking up, this format helps connect the explanation to what ends up in your glass.

The olive oil part is not a token add-on. You also visit a small olive oil factory, where they guide you through the process of one of Mendoza’s main industries. Even if you are not the type who reads every label, you will come away with a clearer idea of how olive oil becomes what you buy later.

Possible wineries you may visit include:

• Don Arturo
• Florio
• Vistandes
• Cecchin
• Domiciano
• Carmine Granata
• Carinae
• Lopez

And the olive oil company listed as possible is:

• Pasrai y Laur

A practical tip: since you are visiting two wineries plus the olive oil factory, pace yourself during tastings. Do not slam glasses back-to-back. I’d treat it like a guided conversation with your senses.

What included tastings really mean for your day

The tour includes tickets and tastings at the wineries and the olive oil company. That sounds simple, but it changes how the day feels. You are not chasing extra charges, negotiating access, or wondering whether you will get enough time to taste properly.

It also means the guide can keep the pacing tight. In a half-day format, that matters. You are working with a timeline, and this tour is designed to fit production explanations and tasting time into the same window.

Bilingual guiding is another big quality-of-life factor. Mendoza wine and olive oil can sound like a lot of unfamiliar terms, but the guide service helps make the production stories clear.

This is also your shopping window. At each establishment, you will have the possibility of buying wines or olive oils. I recommend thinking ahead about what you actually want to carry home, because that decision becomes easier when you taste and compare in real time.

Lunch is not included, so plan your snack and water strategy

Even with a half-day duration, the schedule is long enough that hunger can sneak up on you. Lunch is listed as not included, and the tour still expects you to get back to your hotel around 7:00 pm.

That is why the small packing tips matter: bring sweets, still mineral water, sunscreen, and a hat in summer. The tour advises comfortable clothes and season-appropriate footwear, which also helps you stay focused when you are outdoors and moving between stops.

Here is how I’d handle food without overcomplicating it:

• Bring a couple of small snacks you actually like, not just emergency crackers
• Keep water with you, especially if you are drinking wine during tastings
• If you plan to buy something after tastings, make room for it mentally by not arriving empty

If you ignore this part, the tour can still be great, but the comfort level drops fast.

Paying for souvenirs: cash helps, and credit cards are not always safe

The tour info specifically warns that you should carry cash, since not all wineries receive credit cards. That is one of those details that can save your day. If you fall in love with a bottle and then hit a payment snag, it is a quick mood killer.

So yes, bring cash. Even if you expect to use a card most of the time, a little backup changes everything.

Also, think about how much you want to buy. You can transport purchases by plane, up to 6 bottles per person in hand luggage. That hand luggage limit is useful to know while shopping, so you do not end up regretting a big purchase when it is time to pack.

Getting back to Mendoza around 7:00 pm, then having your evening

After Maipú, you return to Mendoza for rest time. The schedule describes the ride back as about an hour, and the bus takes you back to your hotel around 7:00 pm.

This matters because you preserve your evening. You are not tied up with a full-day itinerary or stuck with a late-night finish. You can clean up, eat dinner at your own pace, and keep exploring Mendoza with more control over where you go next.

It is also helpful for solo travelers or couples who do not want the tour to swallow the whole day. The half-day duration, plus the fairly clear return time, makes it easier to plan dinner reservations or a later walk.

Price and value: is $100 per person a good deal?

At $100 per person for about 5 hours, the big question is what you are paying for. Here’s what you get included: bilingual guide service during the whole tour, transportation in modern air-conditioned and heated units, and tickets and tastings in the wineries and olive oil company.

So the value is not just in drinking wine or sampling olive oil. It is in access and structure. Two winery visits plus an olive oil factory stop is a lot for a short window, and the transport plus guiding reduces the work you would otherwise do yourself.

If you were to plan this on your own, you would likely spend time coordinating rides, ticket access, and tasting availability. This tour wraps those pieces into one booked day.

One note for Argentine payment: the price in pesos does not include taxes, so you may be charged extra depending on your payment method. It is worth checking what your final total will look like before you pay, so there are no surprises.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This tour fits best if you want:

• A guided intro to both wine tasting and olive oil production
• A half-day that keeps moving without turning into a long travel day
• Included tastings and tickets, with bilingual support
• A small-ish group experience, up to 25 travelers

You might skip it if:

• You want a full, slow-paced vineyard day with lots of free time
• You strongly prefer lunch included as part of the itinerary, since lunch is not included here
• You hate group tours or prefer totally independent pacing

If you are the type who likes learning while you taste, this is a good match.

Should you book this Mendoza Half Day Tour of Wineries and Olive Oil?

I’d book it if you are doing Mendoza with limited time and you want a clear, efficient taste of what the region is built around. The combination is genuinely practical: two boutique winery visits plus a small olive oil factory, all with bilingual guiding and tastings included.

Book it soon if you can. The tour is described as commonly booked about 10 days in advance, and with a maximum of 25 travelers, earlier planning helps.

Before you go, do three things:

1. Bring cash for purchases.
2. Pack snacks and water since lunch is not included.
3. Plan your shopping with the hand luggage limit in mind if you are flying.

If you want a structured half-day that teaches you what you are tasting and then lets you enjoy the rest of your day in Mendoza, this one is easy to recommend.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Mendoza wineries and olive oil tour?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours.

How much does the tour cost per person?

The price is listed as $100.00 per person.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No. Lunch is not included.

What is included in the price?

Included are a bilingual guide service during the whole tour, transportation in air-conditioned and heated vehicles, and tickets and tastings in the wineries and an olive oil company.

Do I need cash, or will credit cards work?

You should carry cash because not all wineries receive credit cards.

Which wineries and olive oil company might you visit?

The tour lists possible wineries such as Don Arturo, Florio, Vistandes, Cecchin, Domiciano, Carmine Granata, Carinae, and Lopez. The olive oil company listed is Pasrai y Laur.

What should I bring for the day?

Wear comfortable clothes and season-appropriate footwear. The tour also suggests bringing sweets, still mineral water, sunscreen, and a hat in summer.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.