Mendoza turns food into a day-long story, and this one starts with olive oil. I especially like the olive oil tastings (different varieties, plus the production story), and I also like how the day finishes with a full lunch paired with the winery’s wines. One possible drawback: it is a packed 7 hours, so you will be moving between stops and settling in less than you would on a slower tour.

The best part is how the visits connect: you learn extraction and blending in the olive world, then you shift into grape aromas, oak, and vineyard work in the wine cellar. The tour is run by a local expert guide, with transfers in newer vehicles, and you can get guidance in Spanish, English, or Portuguese. Still, because the itinerary can swap based on availability, the exact “who” and “where” can vary a bit even if the quality stays consistent.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Awarded olive oil varieties to taste, not just to watch being made
• A winery tasting with a real cellar focus, where grapes and oak are part of the explanation
• Full asado lunch with wine pairing, served at the third stop
• Guides with energy, including names like Fran (Futuro Travels) and driver Rocio in past experiences
• A tight but well-guided schedule, with pickup and return in Mendoza

Why this olive oil and winery combo is such a smart Mendoza day

Mendoza can tempt you into doing only wine. This experience does the opposite in a good way. Olive oil gives you a different kind of palate education, and it also helps you understand how “quality ingredients” are treated with care in Argentina’s food culture.

Then the tour pivots into wine, which is where the senses really start to click. You go from tasting oils made from olives to tasting wines shaped by grapes, barrels, and lots of time. The lunch pairing is the practical payoff, because it lets you compare flavors while they are still fresh in your memory.

If you’re the type of person who likes structure, this is built for you. If you want long, quiet wandering, you might find the day a little intense. But if you want to come away with a clearer sense of what you’re tasting, this format delivers.

Getting picked up in Mendoza and heading out

The day starts with pickup in Mendoza, within a covered pickup area, and you return back to Mendoza at the end. That matters more than people think, especially if you are not renting a car. The tour also includes transfer in and out in newer, latest-generation vehicles, so the logistics are handled.

You are not left to figure things out alone. A local expert guide keeps the stops connected and helps translate what you’re seeing into something you can taste. Languages offered include Spanish, English, and Portuguese, which is a nice option if you are traveling with mixed language skills.

A small reality check

You are on the clock. Total duration is 7 hours, with visits scheduled for about 1.5 hours at each of the first two stops, and about 2.5 hours for the final winery and lunch segment. Plan for a day that starts and ends in vehicles, not a day that happens purely at the tables.

Centenario – Olivícola: premium olive oil, explained in plain terms

Your first meaningful stop is Centenario – Olivícola, where you spend about 1.5 hours. This is where the tour earns its keep, because you are not just buying olive oil. You learn how it gets made.

Here is what you can expect from this factory-style visit:

• You enter the process of premium olive oil production, from where olives go in to what gets refined into bottle-ready oil.
• You learn about extraction and production steps, with enough context that the tasting later actually means something.
• You taste multiple varieties, and the tour emphasizes that these oils are awarded for their excellence.

Even if you think you already know olive oil, tasting different varieties back-to-back tends to reset your assumptions. Some are sharper, some more balanced, and they can feel like completely different flavors, not just “slightly different oil.” The best part is that the tour gives you a framework for noticing.

What to watch for

Oil tastings can be subtle. If you want a stronger flavor read, pay attention to smell first, then taste, then re-check the after-notes. It helps you avoid the common mistake of judging too quickly.

CarinaE S.A. wine cellar time: aromas, oak barrels, and tasting

After olive oil, you switch gears to CarinaE S.A. for another 1.5 hours, focused on a wine cellar visit and wine tasting. The tone here is more about sensory cues and winemaking craft.

What you can expect in this stop:

• A welcome that leans into the aromas of the grapes.
• A guided look at wine production, including the role of oak barrels and vineyard work.
• A tasting included as part of the cellar experience.

This is a great pacing choice. By the time you reach the wine cellar, you’ve already “warmed up” your palate with oil tasting. That makes it easier to notice structure in wine, like how it feels on the tongue and how long the flavors linger.

A possible drawback to consider

Wine tasting is included, so if you are sensitive to alcohol or you need to stay fully alert for any reason, build in a bit of caution. Also, because the day is condensed, you will want to drink water between tastings and not treat each flavor stop like a separate night out.

Antigal Winery & Estates: where the lunch pairing turns practical

The final and longest stop is Antigal Winery & Estates, set up for a visit, a wine tasting, and then lunch that is described as a gourmet experience paired with the winery’s wines. This segment runs about 2.5 hours, so it is where you slow down the most.

What makes Antigal’s segment the “main course”

This is where the tour connects taste to context. The lunch is not just food, it’s part of the program. You get a gourmet meal with wine pairing from the same winery, plus water included.

The lunch location is part of what people remember, and the cooking is praised as a standout. That matters because the best wine pairings do not feel random. They feel like someone thought about acidity, richness, and how flavors carry together.

How to get more from the pairing

When you sit down, treat it like a tasting menu with a conversation. Take one bite, then pause, then sip. You are trying to figure out what changes in the wine when food enters the picture, and vice versa. This is also when the earlier olive oil knowledge can come in handy. Both oil and wine reward attention to balance and texture.

The guide and transfer experience: why the day feels easy

This tour includes a local expert guide and transfers in newer vehicles, which keeps you from losing time to logistics. The guide also helps with timing and translation, which is especially useful on a day that involves both production processes and tastings.

From past experiences, people have highlighted the warmth and energy of the team. Names that come up include Fran from Futuro Travels, along with Rocio as a friendly driver who chats during the ride. Whether you get the exact same individuals or a different set, the point is the same: this is not a silent, stamp-your-pass kind of tour. It tends to feel like a guided day out.

The small comfort detail

You will want your ID card with you, since a copy is accepted. You also should expect the tour to be guided and structured, not free-form.

Price check: what you are paying for, and why it can make sense

At $212 per person for a 7-hour day, you are not just paying for a meal or a quick tasting. The value here is the bundled structure:

• Local expert guide
• Transfers in and out in newer vehicles
• Visits and tastings included
• Full lunch with wine and water included
• Insurances included

A lot of Mendoza tours advertise “tastings,” but tastings alone can feel short. Here, you get two different production worlds in one day: olive oil at a factory and wine at a cellar, then a full lunch experience at the third stop. That combination is the main reason this price can work, especially if you’d otherwise have to pay for transport, separate tours, and a planned meal.

When the price might not feel worth it

If you only care about wine and nothing else, the olive oil portion could feel like “extra.” And if you hate structured days, the fixed timing may limit the kind of freedom you enjoy.

Who this tour is best for

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A guided day that teaches you what you’re tasting, not just where to drink
• A mix of olive oil and wine with a proper lunch stop
• A practical itinerary without needing a rental car

It also works well for couples. Several past experiences mention it as a great option for two people who want a memorable day without complicated planning.

If you are traveling with a wheelchair, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, so this is worth considering. Pickup is included within a covered area, which can reduce stress before you even get on the road.

Should you book the Olive Oil Factory plus Wineries with full asado lunch?

I’d book this if you want a day that connects food production to what ends up on your plate. The olive oil tasting plus the winery tasting, then the paired lunch, is a well-matched progression. You also get the practical wins: pickup and return, a local guide, and a full lunch with wine and water.

I would think twice if you prefer slow travel, or if you want one topic only. This day is designed to hit multiple stops, so it rewards curiosity more than lounging.

If you’re aiming for a “real Mendoza day” that goes beyond a quick pour and a photo, this is a solid choice. Just go in hungry, take your time during the lunch pairing, and pay attention to how flavors change from sip to bite.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The duration is 7 hours.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is included in Mendoza, and you will be picked up at your place of stay within a covered area.

What is included in the olive oil and wine parts?

All visits and tastings are included, and wine is included with the winery visits.

What is included with lunch?

Lunch is included, with wine and water served during the meal.

What languages is the live guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

Can the places on the itinerary change?

The tour says that the places and guidebook can change based on availability, but the quality of the experience will not be compromised.