Mendoza: Private Luján de Cuyo & Maipú Wine & Olive Day Trip

Summary

Private day trip from Mendoza with wine tasting olive oil lunch and local stories

You’ll ride out from Mendoza with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story along the way. Taste Malbec straight from Luján de Cuyo cellars, sample fresh olive oil in Maipú with people who’ve grown olives for generations, then linger over a long lunch paired with regional wines. It’s relaxed, personal — and leaves you with more than just photos.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — we almost missed the pickup because I couldn’t find my other shoe (classic me). But our driver just grinned and waited, which set the tone for the whole Mendoza day trip. The drive out to Luján de Cuyo was quiet at first, sun flickering through the windows, vineyards rolling by. Our guide, Julia, started telling us about her grandfather who used to work harvests here — she pointed out a faded sign for his old bodega. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just another wine tour.

The first winery smelled like wet stone and wood barrels, kind of earthy but comforting. We walked through rows of Malbec vines while Julia explained how the Andes snowmelt changes everything here — even the taste of the grapes. Tasting was casual, not stiff at all. I tried to swirl my glass like I knew what I was doing; Julia laughed and showed me how locals actually do it (less fancy than you’d think). The keyword “private wine tour Mendoza” had popped up in my searches so many times before booking, but now it felt like something much less packaged.

Maipú was warmer, dustier somehow. At the olive grove, an older man named Sergio handed us tiny pieces of bread soaked in green-gold oil — grassy and sharp on my tongue. He mimed how to smell it properly (I probably looked ridiculous) and told us stories about his family’s trees surviving hailstorms. Lunch came late — three courses paired with more local varietals than I could pronounce. There was laughter from another table; someone toasted in Spanish and everyone joined in without really knowing each other.

I keep thinking about that moment: sunlight slanting across the table, glasses clinking, that feeling of being far from home but oddly at ease. If you’re looking for a day trip from Mendoza that’s private but never cold or scripted, this is it. Not everything goes perfectly — but maybe that’s what makes it stick with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine, olive oil, and gourmet lunch

• Visit winery in Luján de Cuyo
• Guided tour and wine tasting
• Visit olive grove in Maipú
• Olive oil tasting and discovery
• Gourmet lunch with wine pairing
• Private transfer with onboard water

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included on this Mendoza wine tour?

Yes, private transportation with pickup is included for your comfort.

How long does the day trip to Luján de Cuyo & Maipú last?

The full experience takes most of a day including transfers between regions.

Are wine tastings included in this private wine tour?

Yes, guided tastings at selected wineries are part of the itinerary.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

A multi-course gourmet lunch paired with regional wines is included at a renowned winery.

Will we visit an olive oil producer in Maipú?

Yes, there’s a stop at an olive grove for tasting and learning about production methods.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for infants or children in strollers.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

Wine tastings and drinks during lunch are included as part of the experience.

Do I need to arrange public transport or is everything covered?

No need to arrange anything; all transfers are privately managed by the agency.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup and drop-off around Mendoza, bottled water on board to keep you comfortable between stops, guided visits and tastings at select wineries in Luján de Cuyo plus an olive grove visit in Maipú where you’ll sample extra virgin olive oil firsthand. Lunch is a multi-course affair paired with local wines before heading back in an air-conditioned vehicle.