Mendoza Uco Valley wine tour: 4X4 through mountain vineyards

Malbec, mountain roads & a five-course lunch in Argentina's highest vineyard

You're picked up at your Mendoza hotel and driven into Uco Valley's high-altitude vineyards in a private 4X4. Two winery tastings with instruction, a five-course lunch paired with four wines, and views of the Andes and Potrerillos lake fill the day. The guide and driver handle everything. You just show up and drink.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Potrerillos1h · entry included
2. Domaine Bousquet3h · entry included
3. Uco Valley3h

Uco Valley wine tour and gourmet lunch

• Hotel pickup at 10am
• Drive mountain road through Valle de Las Carreras
• Visit Potrerillos lake and enjoy views
• Taste Malbec wines at small winery
• Tour Uco Valley vineyards
• Enjoy 5-course gourmet lunch with wine pairings
• Return to hotel

The experience

The gravel crunches under the 4X4 before you've even left the foothills. That sound (the unpaved mountain road starting right from the valley floor) tells you this isn't a standard wine tour. You're heading into Uco Valley through the Andes, and the drive itself is part of the experience. The guide picks you up at 10am from your hotel in Mendoza's city center, and the route takes you through tunnels and over iron bridges toward Potrerillos lake, where the Andes wall rises behind the water like something from a different country entirely.

Two wineries anchor the day. The first is a small, high-altitude producer focused on low-intervention winemaking: the kind of place where the Malbecs taste fresher and more expressive than you'd expect from grapes grown so high up. You get tasting notes and background on each pour, so you're not just drinking. You're learning why the altitude and the soil matter here. After that comes the five-course lunch at Domaine Bousquet, paired with four wines including their top selection. It's not rushed. The pacing lets you sit with each course and understand how the wine changes the food and vice versa. The guide handles the timing and the explanations, so you're free to just eat and ask questions when something clicks.

The whole day runs on a private schedule, which means no waiting for a group to finish their photos or catching up with stragglers on the mountain road. It's just you, your group, the guide, and the driver navigating those switchbacks. The dress code is smart casual. Nothing fancy, but not hiking gear either. If you have dietary needs, flag them when you book. Wineries can shift depending on what's available that day, so the exact stops might change, but the structure stays the same: two tastings, one serious lunch, and a full day in the valley.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Mendoza's city center, a private 4X4 with driver and guide, two winery tastings with instruction, a five-course gourmet lunch paired with four wines, bottled water, and round-trip private transfer through Uco Valley and to Potrerillos lake.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 to 90 years) · Under 17: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Trout Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Right for wine lovers who want depth over speed: two tastings with real instruction, a proper lunch, and time to absorb the valley. Plan for a full day out. That's what fits the mountain drive, two wineries, and a five-course meal without rushing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What time does the tour start and end?

Pickup is at 10am from your hotel. The full day concludes with drop-off back at your hotel, typically in the late afternoon.

Is the mountain road difficult to drive on?

It's unpaved and winds through tunnels and over iron bridges, but the 4X4 is designed for it and the driver knows the route. It's part of the experience, not a rough ordeal.

What if I don't drink alcohol?

Wine tastings are included, but you can request non-alcoholic alternatives. Mention any preferences when booking.

How many people are in a private tour?

A minimum of 2 people per booking is required. It's a private tour, so it's just your group and the guide.

Can I bring children?

Children can ride in the 4X4, and specialized infant seats are available. The minimum drinking age is 18, so younger travelers won't participate in tastings.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Let the operator know at booking using the Special Requirements field. They'll accommodate requests for the lunch course.

Are the wineries always the same?

Wineries may change based on availability, but you'll always visit two producers in Uco Valley with tastings and a full lunch included.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The 4X4 and all areas are wheelchair accessible, and transportation is adapted for mobility needs.