Uco Valley: Private Wine Tour & Gourmet Lunch in Andes

Summary

Malbecs, mountain roads, laughter and long lunches in Mendoza

You’ll ride through wild Andean landscapes on a private 4x4 wine tour from Mendoza to Uco Valley, tasting bold Malbecs at boutique wineries with your local guide. Enjoy a long gourmet lunch with wine pairings at Domaine Bousquet before heading back — you might find yourself wishing that meal never ended.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the road to Uco Valley to feel so much like an adventure itself. Our guide, Martín, grinned as we bounced along the unpaved track through Valle de Las Carreras — dust swirling behind the 4x4, the Andes just looming there, impossibly close. The air smelled sharp and dry, and I kept rolling down my window for another lungful. At one point we stopped near Potrerillos Lake — blue water against those pale mountains — and I just stood there listening to nothing but wind and Martín chatting quietly with our driver about last winter’s snow.

The first winery was small and kind of unassuming from the outside. Inside though, it smelled like oak barrels and something sweet I couldn’t place. We tasted Malbec that was almost purple-black, high-altitude stuff that made my cheeks warm after just a few sips. Martín tried to teach us how to swirl and sniff properly; I mostly failed but he laughed and said “it’s all about enjoying it.” There was this moment when the sun hit the glass just right and everything felt slower somehow — maybe it was the wine or maybe just being far from anywhere familiar.

Lunch at Domaine Bousquet was… well, let’s say I’m still thinking about that dessert. Five courses, each paired with a different wine (including their top bottle), and every plate looked like someone actually cared how it tasted. The chef came out at one point to ask if we liked the trout — I nodded too enthusiastically with my mouth full. By then we’d all loosened up; stories started coming out over coffee until nobody really wanted to get back in the car yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 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

Top questions

What time does the Uco Valley private wine tour start?

The tour starts with hotel pickup at 10am from Mendoza city center hotels.

Is lunch included on this Uco Valley wine tour?

Yes, a multiple-course gourmet lunch with wine pairings is included at Domaine Bousquet.

How many wineries do you visit during the day trip?

You’ll visit two wineries in Uco Valley for tastings and background info.

Is transportation provided for this private wine tour?

Yes, round-trip private transfer by spacious 4x4 is included with hotel pickup and drop-off.

Are dietary requirements accommodated on this tour?

Yes, you can advise specific dietary requirements when booking.

Is this Mendoza day trip suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infant seats are available upon request.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Mendoza city center by private 4x4, visits to two Uco Valley wineries for guided tastings of premium Malbecs, a five-course gourmet lunch with paired wines at Domaine Bousquet, bottled water throughout the journey, plus your friendly local guide and driver before returning you comfortably back to your hotel in the evening.