Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Game

This Mendoza tour is interesting because it mixes wine tastings with an olive-oil producer visit, then sends you straight into a hands-on blending game and a multi-step lunch. I like the Game of Blend at Don Manuel Villafañe and I like the organic and natural wine focus at Bodega Familia Cecchin. The main thing to consider is it is a full 6 to 7 hour day built around tastings, and it is not recommended for underage visitors, so plan for a slow, happy pace.

The structure is also practical: you get hotel-style transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a small group size (up to 23 people), and tastings plus meals spread across four stops. You will meet at 25 de Mayo 1221 in Mendoza at 8:30 am, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Hands-on wine blending game: you create your own wine by combining varietals at Don Manuel Villafañe.
• Wine plus olive oil in the same day: Centenario – Olivícola adds oils, flavored oils, pastas, and olives to the tasting mix.
• Four-course creole lunch with pairings: at BODEGA ESENCIA 1870, lunch is built around multiple labeled pairings.
• Organic and natural wine experience: Bodega Familia Cecchin keeps sustainability and nature front and center.
• Small-group feel: a maximum of 23 people helps keep the day from feeling like a factory conveyor belt.
• Strong guide-driver energy: the guide and driver pair gets repeated praise in feedback, with names like Silvi and Carito for guides and Juampi and Mauro for drivers coming up.

A Mendoza day built for real taste, not just photos

If you want a wine tour that feels active, this one makes sense. It is not only about walking through cellars and sipping passively. You start with a nature-and-sustainability mindset, add olive production, then actually build your own blend at the next winery.

I also appreciate that the day is paced like a tasting itinerary should be. Each stop has its own purpose, from a 3-label introduction to a hands-on varietal game, and the food lands right at the end when your palate and energy are ready for it.

The value shows up in the mix. For $167, you are not just buying access to one winery. You are paying for admissions across multiple producers plus transport plus a paired 4-step lunch, with tastings included along the way.

How the 6 to 7 hour flow works from the 8:30 am start

The tour runs about 6 to 7 hours, starting at 8:30 am. You meet at 25 de Mayo 1221 (M5500AAX) and you return there at the end, so you are not guessing about drop-offs.

Plan your morning like this:

• Eat something before you go, because breakfast is not included.
• Bring a refillable water bottle if you tend to get thirsty on long tasting days.
• Wear comfortable shoes, because winery and olive facility visits usually involve some walking around.

Because there is no WiFi on board, it is smart to have offline maps or a plan for your phone. You will probably spend most of the time looking out the window, listening, and tasting anyway.

Bodega Familia Cecchin: organic and natural wine plus a 3-label tasting

Your first stop is Bodega Familia Cecchin, where the focus is on pioneering organic and natural wines. The tone here is not only about what is in the glass, but how the producer thinks about nature and sustainable gastronomy.

What you will do:

• Enjoy the winery’s views
• Taste 3 labels
• Get an admission ticket included as part of the tour

This is a good opener because it gives you a quick grounding in the style and language of Mendoza wine without making the day feel rushed. Three labels is enough to notice differences in taste and aromas, and it sets you up to understand what comes next when other producers and production methods enter the conversation.

One practical note: since this is your first tasting, pace yourself. If you go heavy at the start, the blend game and lunch pairings can feel less fun later.

Centenario – Olivícola: olive oil tasting with flavored oils, pastas, and olives

The second stop is Centenario – Olivícola, dedicated to excellent oil production. You will visit the facilities and then participate in a premium tasting to learn their different products.

Expect tastings that go beyond plain olive oil. The tour includes sampling flavored oils along with pastas and olives. That combo matters because it shows how olive products can be more than a single condiment.

Why this stop is worth your time:

• It expands your Mendoza food education beyond wine.
• It gives you a palate reset between wineries.
• It sets up the later lunch experience, because oils and olives are common pairings and ingredients in regional cuisine.

If you like food that is savory and aromatic, this is usually the kind of stop that makes the whole day feel more “Argentina” than “just wine.”

Don Manuel Villafañe: the Game of Blend where you build your own wine

Next comes Don Manuel Villafañe Bodega, a traditional winery with high-end wines made through traditional productions. The standout part here is the Game of Blend.

What you will do in the blend game:

• You visit and then take part in a game where you create your own wine.
• You combine varietals as part of the activity.

This is the moment where the tour goes from “listen and taste” to “do something.” Even if you are not a wine expert, the game format helps you think like a winemaker. You start noticing how small decisions can shift the final impression.

I also like that it is placed before lunch. By the time you finish blending, you are primed to enjoy the meal with a sharper sense of flavor balance.

A consideration, just to keep it realistic: since the day already includes alcoholic tastings, this stop adds to the alcohol theme. Take it slow, sip water when you can, and don’t feel pressured to chase the strongest pour.

BODEGA ESENCIA 1870: museum winery, paired 4-step creole lunch, and a final facilities visit

The last stop is BODEGA ESENCIA 1870, described as a museum and historical winery in the area. This is where the day slows down into food and atmosphere.

Here is what you can expect:

• A creole lunch of 4 steps
• Pairings with different wine labels across the meal
• A visit of the facilities afterward

Lunch is the big payoff on this tour. The reason I think it is strong value is that it is not a simple “sandwich and water” situation. Four steps plus pairings means your meal is treated like part of the experience, not an interruption.

Also, ending with a facilities visit helps you connect what you tasted with how the producer operates. It is a logical close to the day, especially if you have been noticing differences across each winery’s approach.

If you have ever taken a wine tour and felt like the best moment happened too early, this one tends to avoid that. The final stop is built to feel like the conclusion, not a rushed afterthought.

Price and logistics: what $167 buys in Mendoza

At $167 per person, you are paying for a full, structured day. The included items listed for this tour matter for value:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Lunch with 4 steps paired
• Alcoholic beverages tastings included
• Game of the Blend
• Admission tickets included for each stop

When you look at it as a bundle, the price makes more sense. You are not only paying for tastings, you are paying for the admissions across multiple producers and a meal that is explicitly paired.

Group size also affects value. With a maximum of 23 people, you get a better chance of asking questions and staying engaged, compared with larger bus tours that move too fast for real conversation.

The people factor: what to expect from the guide and driver team

The guide and driver team seems to be a big part of why this tour earns such high marks. In feedback I saw, people specifically call out friendly, attentive guidance, plus drivers who keep the day smooth and comfortable.

Names that come up include guides such as Silvi and Carito, and also Esteban. Drivers like Juampi and Mauro are mentioned alongside those experiences.

Even if you do not get the exact same team, it is worth noting the pattern: the day is designed around good communication and a calm rhythm between stops.

Practical tips so you enjoy every sip without rushing

A wine and olive tour is supposed to be fun. A little planning keeps it from turning into a blur.

Here are the simple moves I recommend:

• Start your day fed. Breakfast is not included, so grab something before the 8:30 am meet-up.
• Dress for winery weather. Mendoza can feel warm, and you will be outdoors for views and facility visits.
• Pace the tastings. Your day includes multiple stops with tastings plus a paired lunch, so go slowly and let your palate reset.
• Use the lunch as your anchor. The 4-step creole lunch is where the tour really pays off.
• Keep your phone ready for pictures, but expect to focus more on conversation than scrolling, since WiFi on board is not included.

If you are sensitive to alcohol or you prefer not to taste everything, you can still participate fully. You just need to go easy and sip water between moments.

Who this tour is best for (and who might want something else)

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a structured Mendoza day without stress
• Like food pairings, not just wine sips
• Enjoy hands-on activities like building your own blend
• Want more than wine, with olive oil and olives included

It might not be the best match if you:

• Are traveling with underage visitors, because the tour is not recommended for underage travelers
• Prefer very low-alcohol experiences, since the day includes alcoholic tastings and pairings

Because it runs about 6 to 7 hours, it is ideal for people who like spending the morning out and still having energy for a satisfying lunch.

Should you book this tour?

I would book it if you want a day that blends education and fun, with a real payoff at lunch and an active moment at the Game of Blend stop. The combination of organic and natural wine, a dedicated olive-oil producer visit, and a paired multi-step meal makes the itinerary feel intentionally planned for flavor lovers.

If you only want one winery and a quick tasting, you might feel this is too full. But if you want the Mendoza “food and drink” version of a highlights day, this one is a strong choice, especially given the 4.9 rating and the fact that the day includes more than just wine tasting.

FAQ

How long is the Mendoza winery tour with lunch and blend game?

The tour lasts about 6 to 7 hours.

What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?

The tour starts at 8:30 am. The meeting point is 25 de Mayo 1221, M5500AAX Mendoza, Argentina, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the $167 per person price?

It includes an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch with 4 steps paired, alcoholic beverages tasting, and the Game of Blend. Admission tickets are included for the winery and olive producer stops.

What is not included?

Breakfast and WiFi on board are not included.

Is this tour suitable for children or underage visitors?

It is not recommended for underage travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

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