Tasting The Enemy + Lunch Santa Julia. Private transfer

This is a smart way to taste two sides of Mendoza wine in one half-day, without you worrying about routes or timing. You’ll stop at Casa El Enemigo and then head to Santa Julia for the main tasting and lunch, so the day has a clear rhythm.

I especially like two things: the trip is private (only your group), and the Santa Julia lunch experience is a full sit-down meal with serious food plus wine pairings. In at least one recent run, the driver Agustín was courteous and the sommelier Lourdes guided the tasting with lots of patience.

One possible drawback: the El Enemigo portion can feel relatively brief, so if you want a long, slow winery experience, you may want to add extra time at Santa Julia once you’re there.

Key highlights before you go

• Private only your group, with an air-conditioned vehicle
• Casa El Enemigo tasting to start, fast and focused
• Santa Julia tastings plus a production-area visit (you see how it all comes together)
• Lunch on site with a lot of courses, paired with wines
• You’ll meet knowledgeable staff who help you choose the bottles you’ll enjoy most
• Adult-only alcohol service, so the tour stays comfortable for mixed ages

Two wineries, one well-paced Mendoza winetasting day

This is a private Mendoza wine-and-lunch outing that runs about 5 hours. The route is simple by design: you visit two wineries, then you eat well, then you’re back. That matters in Mendoza, where it’s easy to waste a morning waiting around or losing time to traffic and logistics.

The tour starts with Casa El Enemigo, then pivots to Santa Julia for the visitor experience and the biggest meal. The result is a day that feels structured, not scattered. And because it’s private transportation, you don’t have to play the shuffle game with other groups.

I also like the “adult” tone of the tastings. Alcohol is served only to adults, which keeps the atmosphere relaxed and practical if you have older teens or adults traveling together. Also, since tastings and visits are included, you’re not paying just to be dropped at a gate.

Casa El Enemigo: a focused start with real wine personality

Casa El Enemigo is the opening stop, and it tends to move at a quick, guided pace. In one recent experience, the El Enemigo visit was described as around 40 minutes, with time for selected wines during the tasting portion.

What you’re really buying here is a strong first impression. You get a guided walk through the winery setting and an introduction to their style through the wines offered in the tasting. This is a good approach if you want variety, because it prevents El Enemigo from eating up the entire afternoon.

What to watch for: if you’re the type who wants to linger for every step of the process, Casa El Enemigo may not feel long enough on its own. The “trade-off” is that you then get the bigger Santa Julia session later, including lunch and more tastings.

If you care most about food and pairing, this short first stop can actually work in your favor. It keeps the day rolling toward Santa Julia, where the meal is the star.

Santa Julia at Zuccardi: tastings, gardens, and a clear path through the wine

Santa Julia is where the tour really stretches its legs. The experience is more than a quick tasting room stop. You get a visitor-style tour that often includes areas tied to the property’s gardens and the bodega’s story, then you move into tastings guided by the winery team.

In one memorable run, the sommelier Lourdes guided the group through Santa Julia with a steady mix of history, layout, and wine guidance. The key detail I’d take from that: the tasting is presented in a way that helps you choose rather than just “sample everything.” That’s great for you if you don’t want to guess which bottle will suit your palate.

You may also see the productive side of the bodega, not just the visitor rooms. One description specifically notes a visit to the production area, followed by additional wines at the end. That structure helps you connect what you tasted to what you’re seeing, even if you’re not a wine expert.

Quick reality check: one review notes that some wines were pleasant and others were not as impressive. That’s normal. Wine tourism is about trying options, and your favorites will depend on what you like (and how you order your pours). The upside is that you’ll have human guidance to steer you away from bottles that don’t match your taste.

Lunch at Santa Julia: big portions, real pairing energy, and attentive service

Lunch here is not a small snack. It’s an on-site meal with multiple items, and it’s paired with more wine.

From the descriptions, the table can include things like empanadas, vegetables and fruit from the property, asados, and desserts. That’s a lot of variety, and it matters because wine pairings work better when the food is diverse. You’re not stuck with only one style of dish for the entire meal.

One of the most striking parts: the chef Maria del Carmen Vicario, nicknamed La ChaCha, visited tables during the meal. When a chef steps out to greet guests, it usually signals that service is taken seriously, and you can feel it in how the courses arrive and how the pacing stays comfortable.

You should also know that the wine pairing is part of the experience, not an optional add-on. If you like food-first tours, this is where you’ll feel the value. If you’re not much of a wine person, you can still enjoy the meal, but the pairing experience may be most meaningful to adults who want to taste along.

Practical tip: plan to pace yourself. With tastings both before and during lunch, you’ll be happiest if you take your time and don’t try to “win” the tasting challenge.

Private transfer and timing: why the schedule works

The tour runs for about 5 hours and is available during Monday to Saturday, with the listed window 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. That means you’ll likely be starting somewhere in the late morning-to-early afternoon range depending on your exact booking.

Why I like that: it keeps the day flexible. You’re not committing to an all-day wine crawl, but you still get meaningful winery time and a proper meal.

Because it’s a private tour, the vehicle includes air conditioning, and you’re not waiting around for other groups to finish. That makes a real difference in Mendoza heat, especially in the warmer months.

Also, because this is private transportation, you can treat the day like a guided itinerary rather than a checklist. You’ll have someone managing the flow, which leaves you free to focus on the taste and the food.

Price and value: what $260 per person is really buying

At $260 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to drink wine in Mendoza. But it also isn’t just “wine tasting with a driver.”

You’re paying for a bundle of things that add up quickly if you do them separately:

• Private transportation (not shared shuttles)
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Visits and tastings at both wineries
• Lunch on site at Santa Julia
• A guided flow that keeps your day efficient

The value lands best if you want the food plus tastings package. The lunch alone is clearly treated as a centerpiece, with lots of courses and wine pairings. And the Santa Julia portion is where you spend most of your time, so you’re not paying premium pricing for only a couple of quick pours.

Where value might feel weaker: if you only care about one winery, and the other stop feels too short, you’re paying for both stops no matter what. In that case, you might be better choosing a tour that focuses only on Santa Julia.

But if you like variety and want a day that feels complete, this is a pretty strong value proposition for private touring.

Who should book this tour, and who might skip it

This tour is a great fit if you:

• want two winery experiences instead of one
• enjoy food paired with wine, not wine tasting in isolation
• prefer a private group so the schedule follows you
• like having staff explain what you’re tasting, so you don’t waste pours on bottles you dislike

You might skip it if:

• you want a long, slow tour at the first winery, since El Enemigo can be fairly quick
• you’re traveling with people who only want casual sipping and minimal structure (the tastings and pairings are part of the whole design)

If you’re visiting Mendoza for the first time and want a “best of the afternoon” plan, this strikes a nice balance. You get a quick opener, then the main event, then lunch that actually feels like lunch.

Should you book Tasting The Enemy + Lunch Santa Julia?

Yes, you should book it if your ideal wine day looks like this: guided tastings, a real sit-down meal, and an end-of-day where you’re not exhausted from logistics.

Book it especially if you care about Santa Julia’s lunch and want wine pairings integrated into the meal. The chef greeting and the variety on the table are the kind of details that make the experience feel memorable rather than routine.

If you’re more of a “one place, slow and deep” person, you may feel the first stop is too brief. In that case, consider adding extra time at Santa Julia after the tour, if that option is available to you through your provider.

FAQ

How long does the Tasting The Enemy + Lunch Santa Julia experience take?

It runs for about 5 hours (approx.).

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Which wineries are included?

You’ll visit Winery The Enemy (Casa El Enemigo) and Winery Santa Julia (visitor’s house).

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes. Lunch is included as part of the experience at Santa Julia.

Are wine tastings included?

Yes. The tour includes visits and tastings at the wineries.

Is alcohol included?

Alcoholic beverages are part of the tasting experience, and alcohol will be served only to adults.

Is transportation included?

Yes. You get private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What are the opening hours for the experience?

It is listed as operating Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, during the date range 06/02/2025 to 06/01/2026.

When will I receive confirmation after booking?

You should receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.