About this tour
When Em from our team ran this private Mendoza wine tour, we spent eight hours in Luján de Cuyo, Argentina's blue-chip Malbec territory, visiting three premium wineries with guided tastings and lunch at Susana Balbo Wines — a Michelin-recognised estate founded by Argentina's pioneering female winemaker. The Andes frame everything. It's a polished, unhurried day for people who actually want to taste serious wine and eat properly, not rush between tourist stops. Private transport means no coach queues or schedule compromise.
Highlights
- Tasting exceptional Malbecs at three estates with proper pacing between stops
- Michelin Green Star lunch at Susana Balbo Wines—real gastronomy, not winery cafe food
- Andes backdrop throughout; the landscape itself is part of the experience
- Private car means flexible timing and no herding with tour groups
- Founder story of Argentina's first female winemaker adds genuine depth to visit
- Air-conditioned vehicle essential in Mendoza heat; thoughtfully included
- Tastings cover multiple varietals beyond Malbec; region context woven in
What to expect
Em's day started early with pickup from Mendoza and a smooth drive into Luján de Cuyo. The first two wineries offered structured tastings in their own styles—one more formal, one more relaxed—with time to ask questions and actually absorb what you're drinking. No rushing. The Susana Balbo lunch is the centrepiece: the food is genuinely considered, wine pairings make sense, and the restaurant has proper views. You're eating with winemakers and serious oenophiles, not crowds.
The pacing works because you're not packed into a minibus with eight strangers. Em could ask the guide to linger, skip a second tasting glass if full, chat longer with winemakers. The Andes sit there the whole time, making the whole thing feel less like a tourism tick and more like a day someone who knows Mendoza actually arranged for you.
Good to know
This tour earns its premium tag. The Michelin recognition is real, the wineries are genuinely top-tier, and the private model means no compromises on timing or group patience. Malbec lovers and serious wine drinkers will find this worth every peso. Lunch alone justifies the cost.
You're looking at eight hours of driving and tasting in mountain heat—bring sunscreen and pace your tastings or you'll fade by winery three. Mendoza can hit 40°C in summer. Tips aren't included (noted as exclusion), so budget for that. The private model also means you'll pay more than a shared bus tour. Not for casual wine sippers or those wanting a quick half-day.
Includes private transport, water, air-con. Wear comfortable shoes; most of the day is standing and walking vineyard rows. Eat a light breakfast—the lunch is substantial. Group sizes are small (private means typically 2–6 people). Peak harvest season (March–April) books faster. Public transport nearby exists, but the private car is the whole point.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.