Mendoza: Small Group Wine Tour & Gourmet Lunch with Pickup

Summary

Malbec tastings, vineyard stories, and a long lunch in Mendoza

You’ll sip Malbec straight from Mendoza’s boutique cellars, wander vineyards with local guides who know every story, and linger over a five-course lunch paired with mountain views. With hotel pickup included and only eight guests per group, this wine tour feels personal—more like sharing a table than ticking off wineries.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll never finish all five courses,” our guide Ana grinned as she poured the first glass of Malbec. She’d already teased us about our pronunciation of “Luján de Cuyo” (I still can’t say it right). The morning started with that soft hum you get in an air-conditioned minivan — eight of us, half awake, winding out from Mendoza City. I remember the sun flickering through rows of poplars and the smell of fresh bread someone brought along. It was early but not cold; just that dry, high-altitude air that makes your skin feel a bit tighter.

The first winery was smaller than I expected, almost hidden behind these old olive trees. We followed Ana through cool cellars while she explained why Argentine Malbec tastes different here — something about the altitude and irrigation from the Andes. There was this moment where we all fell quiet, sniffing the barrels (oak and something sweet, maybe vanilla?) before stepping back into bright light. At each stop, we tried wines side by side — big names and tiny family places — and I kept thinking how different they felt. One winemaker joked that their dog had better taste than him. Maybe he wasn’t joking?

Lunch was at a place with huge windows facing the mountains — honestly, I spent half the meal staring outside. Five courses, each with its own wine (I gave up trying to keep track after dessert). The food was creative but not fussy; even my vegetarian friend left happy. Somewhere between course three and four, Ana told us how her grandfather used to work these vineyards when they were mostly orchards. That stuck with me more than any tasting note or fancy pairing.

By late afternoon we were all a little sun-drowsy on the drive back to Mendoza City. Someone started humming quietly — maybe it was just the wine talking — and nobody seemed in a rush to check their phones again. I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed or connected by the end of this small group wine tour in Mendoza. Still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Luxury wine tour with gourmet lunch

• Pick up at hotel at 8:45am
• Visit first winery and tour facility
• Taste Malbec and other wines
• Visit second winery and taste wines
• Visit third winery and taste wines
• Enjoy 5-course gourmet lunch with wine pairings
• Return to Mendoza City hotel at 5:30pm

Top questions

How many wineries do you visit on this Mendoza wine tour?

You’ll visit three to four wineries during the day trip from Mendoza City.

Is lunch included on the small group wine tour?

Yes, a multi-course gourmet lunch with wine pairings is included at one of the wineries.

What time does pickup start for this Mendoza wine tour?

Hotel pickup in Mendoza City is at 8:45am.

Are vegetarian options available for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size is eight people per tour.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

The tour is conducted in one language; guides are often sommeliers or winemakers.

What regions do you visit—Luján de Cuyo or Uco Valley?

The region varies by day; you’ll visit either Luján de Cuyo or Uco Valley wineries.

Does the price include all tastings and transport?

Yes, all tastings, lunch with wine pairings, hotel pickup/drop-off, and transport are included.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Mendoza City by air-conditioned minivan, guided visits to three or four top wineries for tastings (including Malbec), a five-course gourmet lunch with paired wines overlooking vineyard views, mineral water during transport, plus all taxes and fees covered before returning around 5:30pm.