Mendoza: Half Day Winery Tour with Tastings & Olive Oil

Summary

Wineries old & new in Mendoza plus olive oil tasting and stories

You’ll wander through Mendoza’s vineyards with a local guide, taste family-made wines in cool barrel rooms, sample fresh olive oil straight from the press, and end your afternoon sipping sweet wine in a century-old cellar. Expect laughter, unexpected flavors, and moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed was the smell — not just grapes, but something earthy and sweet drifting through the air as we stepped out near the first winery outside Mendoza. Our guide, Sofía, waved us over like we were old friends. She started talking about her grandfather’s vineyard before we even made it to the rows of vines. The sun was already warm on my neck. We walked slowly between the vines while she pointed out how each leaf told a story about last year’s weather. I tried to look like I understood but mostly just wanted to touch everything — the dust on my fingers felt almost sticky by the end.

I didn’t expect how different each stop would feel. At the small family-run place (I think it was Cecchin Family, but honestly I lost track after two glasses), they let us peek into their storage room — barrels stacked up to the ceiling, cool air that smelled like wood and fruit mixed together. Tasting there was kind of quiet; even our group went silent for a second after that first sip. Then at the next spot, much more modern — glass everywhere, sunlight bouncing around — we tried another pair of wines right in the middle of all this shiny equipment. Someone asked if it was always this peaceful and one of the workers just grinned and shrugged.

The olive oil factory was all in Spanish so Sofía had to translate bits for me (my Spanish is still terrible). There was this moment where everyone started laughing because I tried to pronounce “aceituna” and got it so wrong that even one of the workers joined in. The tasting itself surprised me — tiny pieces of bread dipped in green-gold oil that tasted grassy and sharp at first, then mellowed out. Not what I expected at all.

We finished at an old museum winery that’s been around longer than any of us could imagine — over a hundred years, apparently. The walls were thick stone and it felt cool inside even though outside was blazing hot by then. Sweet liqueur wine isn’t usually my thing but something about sipping it under those old beams made me pause for a second longer than usual. I still think about that view from their courtyard: vines stretching off toward the mountains with nothing but quiet except for someone’s laughter floating over now and then.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Winery and olive oil factory visits

• Visit artisanal winery and vineyard
• Taste two wines at artisanal winery
• Visit modern boutique winery and vineyard
• Taste two wines at boutique winery
• Visit olive oil factory and production
• Taste olive oil products
• Visit sweet liqueur wine museum
• Taste sweet wines at museum

Top questions

How long does this Mendoza winery tour last?

This is a half day tour starting in Mendoza and lasting several hours.

Are wine tastings included on this tour?

Yes, tastings at each winery are included as part of the experience.

Is transport provided from my hotel in Mendoza?

The tour includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from central locations.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

A local guide accompanies you; some stops may be in Spanish but translation is provided when needed.

Which wineries do we visit on this tour?

The itinerary can vary based on availability but may include Don Manuel Villafañe, Casa Corbel, Cecchin Family, Florio or Esencia 1870.

Is food provided during the tour?

Tastings include wine and olive oil with bread; no full meal is mentioned.

Can children join this winery tour?

The tour is suitable for all ages including infants and children in strollers.

Is this winery tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible according to the information provided.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes pickup from Mendoza in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide leading you through tastings at artisanal and boutique wineries (with two wines at each), plus an olive oil factory visit with product sampling—all taxes covered if you’re paying with a foreign card—before returning back to town later that day.