From Mendoza: 3 Wineries, Olive Oil Factory Tour & Tasting

Mendoza’s Maipú district is made for an afternoon of tasting, and this tour packs in an unusual amount for $34. You visit three very different bodegas, from an artisanal producer to a larger industrial winery and a sweet-wine cellar, then finish with olive oil, bread, olive paste, and other local treats.

I like the contrast between the stops, and I like that you taste several styles rather than spending the whole afternoon on Malbec alone. Bilingual guides such as Dolores, Maru, Alejandro, and Rocío have helped make the bus ride and winery visits easy for English and Spanish speakers.

The main consideration is pace. Hotel collection can take up to 45 minutes, and a bilingual explanation may sometimes move between languages quickly. The olive oil stop can also feel more modest and crowded than the wineries, but it is a useful change of flavor late in the afternoon.

Key points at a glance

• Three different bodegas in Maipú: Compare artisanal, industrial, and sweet-wine production rather than seeing three nearly identical cellars.
• Around nine wines or more: Tastings commonly include young and aged wines, reds, whites, rosés, and sweeter bottles.
• Olive oil with local snacks: Taste oils with bread, olive paste, and other delicacies after the winery visits.
• A six-hour afternoon: Pickup begins around 2 p.m., with return to Mendoza city around 8 p.m.
• Strong value at $34: Transport, entrance fees, wine tastings, and olive oil samples are included.
• English and Spanish support: The guide and winery staff provide bilingual service, though the pace can vary.

Why Maipú makes sense for a first wine outing

If you have only one free afternoon in Mendoza, Maipú is a practical choice. It is close enough to the city for a half-day visit, so you spend less time on the road than you might on a longer wine excursion farther away.

The focus here is not one grand estate or one famous label. Instead, you see how wine is made in several settings. That makes the tour useful if you are still learning what you like. You can compare lighter and fuller wines, newer and older bottles, dry and sweet styles, and the way each producer presents its work.

I also like the balance between wine and olive oil. After several tastings, the bread and olive paste give you something savory and a change from grape-based flavors. It is not a full meal, so I would eat a proper lunch before pickup, but the food samples are welcome.

Pickup at 2 p.m. and the first 45 minutes

The afternoon begins with hotel collection in Mendoza city at about 2 p.m. Pickup is available from listed hotels and hostels, including the Sheraton Mendoza, Hilton Mendoza, Hotel Crillón, Hostel Lagares, Soltigua Apart Hotel, Hostel Central, and the Amérian Executive Mendoza Hotel. Other listed points include QuickPoint, Viajes & Diseño, and Rivadavia 452.

You should wait in the lobby from 10 minutes before the stated time. The vehicle may spend up to 45 minutes collecting the full group, so do not worry if it does not arrive right at 2 p.m. This is the tradeoff for door-to-door convenience.

The transport is air-conditioned and heated. Most of the time, that makes the transfer comfortable, though vehicle size can vary. One small group found a sedan tight for five people, while other departures used a clean, comfortable van. If you care about personal space, ask about the vehicle when you book, but the supplied details do not promise one exact vehicle type.

The guide gives context during the drive, including information about Mendoza’s climate, geography, water supply, and wine production. That background helps you understand why irrigation matters here and why the region supports both grapes and olives.

The first bodega: start with how the wine is made

The first winery is often the most technical part of the afternoon. The visits can include an artisanal or organic producer, and the presentation usually covers the basic stages of production rather than rushing straight to the tasting room.

You may see tanks, barrels, or production areas, depending on the assigned bodega. The point is not to expect a grand architectural tour. These are working producers, and the appeal is seeing how wine is made at a more grounded scale.

At this stop, you taste several wines, commonly three. The selection can include a young bottle and an aged bottle, allowing you to notice how time changes aroma, texture, and finish. You may also compare red, white, and rosé styles.

This is a good place to ask questions. The staff explain the process, grape varieties, and the identity of the bodega. If you are new to wine, do not worry about using the right vocabulary. The tour is designed for mixed groups, and the explanations are aimed at curious drinkers rather than specialists.

The industrial winery: a wider view of production

The second winery gives you a useful contrast. Instead of focusing only on small-batch methods, the visit shows how a larger producer handles wine production. The industrial setting may feel less intimate, but it helps you understand the scale and equipment involved.

The exact order can change. Some departures visit the olive oil producer before the second or third winery, and one itinerary described an organic bodega, olive oil factory, sweet-wine producer, and another winery in that sequence. The core promise remains three winery visits and one olive oil visit.

You should expect another tasting of about three wines. The value is cumulative. A single tasting tells you what one producer makes. Several tastings let you compare winemaking choices across producers, which is more useful when you are deciding what to buy later in Mendoza.

The guides at the bodegas do most of the detailed explaining at each property, while your main guide keeps the day moving and provides wider context. Guides have included Dolores, Maru, Alejandro, and Rocío, with English and Spanish used throughout the day.

One practical point: bilingual explanations can take longer, and the switch between English and Spanish may occasionally make a section harder to follow. If you miss something, ask the guide to repeat it. English-speaking visitors have generally been able to take part without speaking Spanish, but the level of fluency can differ slightly between individual staff members.

The sweet-wine stop: a change of pace

The sweet-wine cellar keeps the itinerary from becoming three versions of the same tasting. If you usually drink dry reds, this may be the least familiar stop, but that is exactly why it earns a place on the route.

You can expect a different style of presentation and a chance to taste sweeter wines alongside the drier bottles from other bodegas. Not every style will suit your palate. I would treat this stop as a comparison, not as a test of whether you like wine.

The tone can become more relaxed as the afternoon progresses. You may find that the first bodega is the most process-focused, while the later stops put more attention on the pleasure of tasting. That change works well, but remember that the total number of pours can add up quickly.

One detailed account counted 11 wines across the day, while the official description says three wines at each winery. The exact number depends on the producers and the pour sizes. Either way, you should expect enough wine to feel the effects, so pace yourself, use the spittoon if one is offered, and drink water whenever it is available.

The olive oil factory and the savory finish

The olive oil factory is the fourth visit, and it gives the afternoon a welcome change of subject. You learn about production and then taste several oils with bread, olive paste, and other local products.

Some departures have included four or five olive oil tastings. The differences can be subtle at first, especially if you are used to supermarket oil, but tasting several side by side makes the contrasts easier to notice.

This is not a large museum-style attraction. The factory can feel simple, and it may be crowded when several groups arrive. One English-speaking staff member may not be as comfortable in English as the winery guides, so the explanation can be less smooth. Still, the tasting itself is a pleasant finish, and the savory food helps settle the long sequence of wine pours.

You can usually buy wine, snacks, or olive oil at the stops, often at reasonable prices. The sales approach is described as low-pressure, so you can browse without feeling that you must purchase something. Bring room in your luggage if you are tempted, but purchases are not part of the tour price.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, this is one of the stronger value choices for a Mendoza wine afternoon. Your fee includes transport from central Mendoza pickup points, winery entrance fees, all wine tastings, the olive oil tasting, and the food samples at the olive oil stop.

That matters because entrance charges and individual tasting fees can add up quickly when you arrange several visits yourself. You also avoid planning a route, calling wineries, arranging a driver, and working out how to return to the city after tasting wine.

The lower price does come with limits. This is a shared excursion, not a private wine guide. The vehicle may collect several parties, the exact winery lineup can vary, and the stops are selected for variety and value rather than luxury.

You should also compare it with a private tour before booking if you want a long lunch, a single premium estate, or a highly personal tasting. This experience is better for breadth than exclusivity.

Group size, guides, and the feel of the afternoon

The tour is promoted as small-group, though the total number can vary by departure. One group had about 15 people, with English and Spanish speakers sometimes split into smaller groups at the wineries. That arrangement can make the actual explanations more personal than the bus ride suggests.

The main guide handles timing, transfers, language support, and general information. Dolores has been praised for clear English and an upbeat manner, while Maru, Alejandro, and Rocío have also led departures. Since guides change, you should not book on the assumption that one named person will be present, but the range of positive comments points to a strong guiding setup overall.

The winery staff lead the tastings at each property. That division works well because the local staff can explain their own methods, while the main guide gives you the regional picture.

As a solo visitor, I think this format makes sense. You are not left to organize transport, and a shared tasting naturally gives you people to talk with. The mix of nationalities and languages can make the afternoon social without requiring you to join a large party.

Timing, comfort, and small practical drawbacks

The full experience lasts about six hours, including collection and return. The scheduled return to central Mendoza is around 8 p.m., though traffic and the length of hotel pickups can affect the exact time.

The vehicle has air conditioning and heating. Transport is generally described as safe and well organized, but comfort depends on the assigned vehicle and the size of the group. The pickup period can also feel long if you are collected early and then wait for others.

The bilingual format is a real advantage for mixed groups, but it has a cost. A guide may explain something first in Spanish and then English, or switch between both languages naturally. That can make the commentary feel less direct than a tour conducted in one language.

Accessibility is another clear limitation: the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. The supplied details do not promise a wheelchair-accessible vehicle or winery route.

Cancellation is flexible, with a full refund available when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful when you are still adjusting your Mendoza plans.

Who should book this Maipú tour

I would choose this tour if you want to see several producers in one afternoon and keep the cost down. It suits first-time wine visitors, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants transport handled from central Mendoza.

It is especially useful if you want to compare styles. The artisanal, industrial, and sweet-wine stops give you more variety than a route built around three similar premium estates.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long meal, a luxury setting, or a quiet private tasting. The day is organized around four visits, so the focus stays on learning, sampling, and moving to the next stop.

Eat before pickup, drink water, and pace your tasting. You can taste without swallowing every pour, and that becomes sensible when the day may include 9 to 11 wines.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if variety and value matter more to you than polish. For $34, you get three winery visits, an olive oil factory, bilingual assistance, transport, entrance fees, and a generous run of tastings.

The strongest part is the range: small-scale production, larger operations, sweet wines, and olive oil in one manageable afternoon. The main weaknesses are the long collection window, possible crowding at the oil factory, and occasional difficulty following a fast bilingual explanation.

If you want a straightforward introduction to Mendoza’s Maipú wine country, this is an easy choice. If you already know your favorite producers and want an intimate, high-end tasting, spend more on a private or estate-focused outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about six hours, with pickup beginning around 2 p.m. and return to Mendoza city around 8 p.m.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from listed hotels, hostels, and meeting points in Mendoza city, including the Sheraton Mendoza Hotel, Hilton Mendoza, Hotel Crillón, Hostel Lagares, Hostel Central, Soltigua Apart Hotel, and other stated locations.

How early should I wait for pickup?

You should wait in the hotel lobby from 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. The vehicle may take up to 45 minutes to collect everyone.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

You visit three wineries in Maipú. The planned mix includes an artisanal winery, an industrial winery, and a sweet-wine cellar, or similar producers.

Is the olive oil factory included?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to an olive oil factory, with tastings of olive oil products, bread, olive paste, and other delicacies.

How many wines will I taste?

The description states that you taste three wines at each winery. The exact total can vary by departure, and some groups have tasted around 11 wines during the afternoon.

Are entrance fees and tastings included?

Yes. Winery admission, wine tastings, olive oil products, and the stated tasting experiences are included in the price.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour offers live guiding in English and Spanish. The level of English can vary slightly between individual winery staff members.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.