The Perfect Mendoza Wine Tour: 1-Day on the Bus Vitivinicola

Introduction

If you’re planning a trip to Mendoza, chances are you’re there for the wine. It’s one of the most famous regions in the world for it, and the views of the Andes in the background make the whole experience even better. But once you start looking into how to visit the vineyards, it can get a bit confusing. At least, that’s what we thought.

You want to enjoy the wine tastings without worrying about driving back to the city, but private tours can be really pricey. When we were there, we wanted something that gave us freedom without the high price tag. Maybe you’re also looking for a way to unwind after hiking in Aconcagua Provincial Park, or you want to balance out a relaxing session at the Cacheuta Spa. Whatever your pace is, finding the right way to get around the Mendoza vineyards is the most important part of the trip.

That’s how we found the Bus Vitivinicola. It’s a great way to see different wineries at your own pace without needing a private driver. However, if you want an easier solution that doesn’t require you to get in touch with a local Argentinian company, the “Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch” on Viator is what we would go for.

Whether you are looking for a famous Mendoza winery or want to get lost in the smaller Mendoza vineyards, this bus service covers a lot of ground. This article goes through how the bus works, which routes you can take, and our own experience using it. It’s basically everything you need to know to organize your own Mendoza wine tour without the stress.

Note: We converted all prices in Euros, as the price we paid in PESOS at that time isn’t accurate anymore due to Argentina’s constant inflation. The peso prices we mention are updated for 2026, but they can change frequently.

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Why Visit

Mendoza is the kind of place where you can easily spend days just wandering from one vineyard to another. It’s the heart of Argentina’s wine production, famous for its world-class Malbec, but it offers so much more than just a good glass of red.

The main reason you should visit is the vibe. There aren’t many places in the world where you can enjoy a wine tasting with a direct view of the snow-capped Andes Mountains. It’s a scenery that literally looks like a postcard. Whether you are a dedicated wine connoisseur or just someone who enjoys a nice afternoon in the sun, the Mendoza vineyards have a way of making you feel completely relaxed.

Every Mendoza winery has its own personality. During your Mendoza Wine Tour, you’ll find everything from massive, historic estates that feel like palaces to modern, high-tech facilities and tiny, family-run boutique spots. It’s not just about the drinking, either; you get to walk through the cellars, learn about the irrigation systems that turn this desert into an oasis, and see the passion that goes into every bottle.

We found that using the bus vitivinicola was the best way to soak it all in. It’s a social and easy way to see the best of the region without the stress of navigating or the high cost of a private driver. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace while keeping the whole experience casual and fun.

How to Get There

Mendoza is tucked away in the west of Argentina, right at the foot of the Andes. Most people arrive here via a quick two-hour flight from Buenos Aires, which is definitely the easiest way. If, like us, you are slow backpackingin Argentina, you can also arrive in Mendoza by bus. We arrived there from Villa General Belgrano, a Swiss-like town in the middle of the country.

If you’re coming from Chile, you can take a bus from Santiago. It’s a spectacular six-hour drive through the mountains, though the border crossing can sometimes take a bit of time.

Once you are in the city, getting to the Mendoza vineyards is where you need to make a choice. While you can use Uber or Cabify to get to Maipú or Luján de Cuyo, it gets a bit more complicated for the further regions like the Uco Valley.

For the bus vitivinicola, the logistics are very straightforward:

• Pick-up Points: The bus has over 25 fixed stops throughout the city and surrounding areas. You can hop on at major spots like the Terminal de Omnibus, the Mendoza Information Center, or several big hotels like the Hotel Aconcagua or the Hyatt.
• Booking: You should book at least a day in advance. You can either walk into the Cata Turismo office (Avenida Las Heras 601) or do what we did: message them on WhatsApp (+54 9 261 263-9439). They’ll send you a PayPal link, and once you pay, you get an e-ticket sent straight to your phone. It was super easy.

If all of that sounds like too much planning, there is a much simpler way to do it. As we mentioned, today we would probably go for the “Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch” on Viator. It has a 4.9/5 rating with over 1,000 reviews, so you know it’s a solid choice. It’s easier to organize because they handle all the bookings and transport for you, which is great if you just want to relax and enjoy the wine tasting in Mendoza

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When to Visit

Mendoza is one of those rare places that really does work all year round, but the experience you have will be very different depending on the season. Here is a breakdown of the weather you can expect:

• Spring (September to November): This is often considered the best time to visit. The vineyards are waking up, flowers are blooming, and the weather is ideal for a Mendoza Wine Tour. Expect highs between 20°C and 29°C (68°F to 84°F) and lows around 6°C to 15°C (44°F to 58°F).
• Summer (December to February): This is the peak of the growing season. It gets quite hot, which is perfect for enjoying a fresh glass of white or rosé. Daytime temperatures usually range from 30°C to 32°C (86°F to 90°F), with nights cooling down to 17°C or 18°C (63°F to 65°F).
• Autumn (March to May): This is the famous harvest season. The Mendoza vineyards turn beautiful shades of orange and gold. Highs are typically between 19°C and 27°C (67°F to 81°F), while lows fall between 6°C and 14°C (42°F to 58°F).
• Winter (June to August): This is the best time for those who love the mountains. While it’s the off-season for wine production, the cellars are cozy and the mountain views are incredible. Temperatures during the day are around 15°C to 16°C (59°F to 60°F), and nights are cold, between 2°C and 4°C (36°F to 39°F).

We recommend visiting in March if you want to see the harvest festivals, but if you want an easier way to organize your trip, we would go for the “Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch” on Viator, as it has a 4.9/5 rating from over 1,000 reviews and takes all the planning off your hands.

Our Favorite Hotels in Mendoza

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Clover Hostel

Huentala Hotel

Diplomatic Hotel

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How We Visited: Our Experience

We decided to take the Wednesday route, which explores the Luján Sur region. This was a great choice because it gave us a list of six wineries to choose from, though you only actually visit four. The options included some big names like Chandon and Terrazas de los Andes, alongside others like Zolo and Casarena.

Our day started early. Since we were staying near the bus terminal, our closest pickup point was the Mendoza Information Center. We got there around 8:25 AM, and the bus pulled up right on time at 8:35 AM. After a quick scan of our e-tickets, we were on our way to pick up the rest of the group.

The bus itself was comfortable, with a driver and a guide. Our guide mostly spoke Spanish but provided English summaries for those of us who needed them. Once everyone was on board, it was time to pick our four stops. This is where you have to be a bit strategic—we found out that only Zolo, Chandon, Terrazas, and Casarena offered tours in English. Since we had already pre-booked a vegetarian lunch at Terrazas, our itinerary was set:

• Zolo
• Chandon
• Terrazas (for lunch)
• Casarena (though we ended up skipping this one—more on that later!)

It felt like a good mix of styles, from boutique-feeling spots to world-famous sparkling wine producers.

Here are all your accommodation options in Mendoza

Zolo

Our first stop was Zolo, a Mendoza winery that felt very authentic and welcoming. We were greeted by a guide who walked us through the production area, showing us the massive stainless steel barrels where the magic happens.

One of the highlights here was tasting wine directly from the tanks. We tried a 2018 Malbec and a Cabernet Sauvignon. It was interesting to learn how the different types of oak barrels—French versus American—completely change the flavor profile of the wine. We finished the visit in the barrel room, tasting their award-winning “Black Tears” Malbec.

Tip: At Zolo, you can pay for the tour, or you can do what we did: buy a bottle of wine (about 11€) and get the tour for free. It’s a much better deal!

Chandon

Next up was Chandon, which is a much larger and more modern estate. Since it’s linked to Moët & Chandon, the whole place has a very sleek, professional feel. This stop was specifically for a sparkling wine tasting in Mendoza.

Our guide here was incredibly passionate and spoke perfect English. We learned that Chandon Argentina is the only branch in the world allowed to use Malbec grapes in their sparkling wine.

We tasted three different types, including their famous Baron B, while sitting in their beautiful, manicured gardens. It felt very high-end but still relaxed.

Terrazas de Los Andes

For lunch, we headed to Terrazas de Los Andes. While some other passengers went to Séptima for the views, we were so happy with our choice. The setting was intimate and peaceful, tucked away in a lovely garden.

The meal was easily one of the highlights of our Mendoza Wine Tour. We were served several courses, each paired with a different wine.

Since we had pre-booked a vegetarian option, we had things like cheese with cactus and a delicious lentil steak. Everything from the trout starter to the coconut ice cream for dessert was impeccable.

By the time we finished our final cocktail in the garden at Terrazas, we had a choice: visit a fourth winery (Casarena) or just stay put. To be honest, after three wineries and a full wine-paired lunch, we had more than enough to drink!

We decided to skip the last stop and just relax in the garden until the bus picked us up at 5:35 PM. We made it back to the city by 7:15 PM, feeling very content.

Tickets & Opening Hours

One of the best things about the Bus Vitivinícola is that it operates like a hop-on, hop-off service, but specifically designed for the wine regions. However, because each day covers a different area, you need to plan your trip based on the “Caminos del Vino” (Wine Routes) that interest you most.

Choosing Your Route

The bus visits three main regions: Maipú (the oldest wine region), Luján de Cuyo (the land of Malbec), and the Valle de Uco (high-altitude, modern wineries). Here is the updated daily schedule for 2025/2026:

• Monday: Maipú (Wine & Olives)
• Tuesday: El Sol (Luján de Cuyo)
• Wednesday: Valle de Uco Sur / Valle de Uco El Cepillo
• Thursday: Luján de Cuyo (Tierra del Malbec)
• Friday: Luján Sur (This is the one we did!)
• Saturday: Grandes Leyendas de Maipú
• Sunday: Valle de Uco (Ruta Provincial 89)

Ticket Prices (for 2026)

Prices are usually updated every few months due to local currency changes, but here is what you can expect for the transfer ticket:

• Full Day (Maipú/Luján): Around $54,000 ARS (approx. €50-60)
• Half Day (Morning or Afternoon): Around $47,400 ARS
• Valle de Uco (Full Day): Between $52,800 and $68,800 ARS, as it’s a much further drive.

Important Note: Your Mendoza Wine Tour bus ticket only covers the transportation and the guide on the bus. You will still need to pay for your wine tasting in Mendoza and your lunch separately at each Mendoza winery you visit.

A Simpler Alternative

If you find the bus vitivinicola schedule a bit restrictive or don’t want to deal with booking each tasting yourself, we highly recommend the “Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch” on Viator.

It’s a fantastic Mendoza Wine Tour alternative because:

• It includes everything: transport, high-end tastings, and a gourmet multi-course lunch.
• It has a 4.9/5 rating from over 1,000 reviews.
• You don’t have to worry about the bus schedule or which wineries offer English tours—it’s all pre-arranged for you.

For us, if we were to go back today and wanted a completely “stress-free” day where we could just focus on the wine and the views, this Viator tour would definitely be our top pick.

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Is it Worth It?

Mendoza is absolutely worth a visit, especially if you enjoy breathtaking scenery, world-class wine, and a relaxed pace of life. Whether you are a dedicated connoisseur or just looking for a beautiful escape, the combination of the Andes mountains and the lush Mendoza vineyards is hard to beat.

As for the Bus Vitivinicola, it is a fantastic Mendoza Wine Tour option if you want to explore the region without the high cost of a private driver or the stress of navigating yourself. It offers a structured yet flexible way to see multiple wineries in a day and is a very social experience.

What to Bring & Pro-Tips

• Book ahead your Mendoza Wine Tour: For the Bus Vitivinicola, message them on WhatsApp at +54 9 261 263-9439 at least a day in advance to secure your spot.
• The “Zolo” Hack: At Zolo Winery, buy a bottle of wine instead of paying for the tour—it makes the tour essentially free!
• English Tours: If you don’t speak Spanish, double-check which wineries offer English tours before you commit to your daily route on the bus. On our Luján Sur route, Zolo, Chandon, Terrazas, and Casarena were the best bets.
• Lunch is a Highlight of the Mendoza Wine Tour: Don’t skip the wine-paired lunches! Whether you choose Terrazas for its intimate garden or Séptima for its views, it’s often the best part of the day.
• Know Your Limits: You don’t have to visit every winery on the route. Like us, you might find that after three stops and a long lunch, you’d rather just relax in a garden than head to a fourth tasting.
• Consider the Mendoza Wine Tour All-In Option: If you want zero stress, the “Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch” on Viator is a brilliant alternative. With a 4.9/5 rating from 1,000+ reviews, it’s a foolproof way to ensure a high-quality, pre-organized experience.

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Where to Stay Nearby

Choosing where to stay in Mendoza is all about finding the best places to be next to the city’s lively restaurant scene and having easy access to the bus stops for your Mendoza Wine Tour. We recommend staying in the city center (Centro), as it makes getting to the bus vitivinicola pickup points very easy.

Here are three great options depending on your budget:

Clover Hostel: If you are looking for a social vibe and want to save your money for more wine tasting in Mendoza, this is a fantastic choice. It’s centrally located, clean, and has a very friendly atmosphere.

Huentala Hotel: This is a beautiful boutique hotel that really leans into the wine theme of the city. It’s stylish and comfortable, located just a short walk from the main plazas. It’s perfect if you want a bit of character without a massive price tag.

Diplomatic Hotel: For those who want the full luxury experience, this is one of the best hotels in the city. The service is top-notch, and the rooms offer incredible views. Plus, it’s often one of the main pickup points for tours, making your logistics incredibly simple.

If you decide to go with the “Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch” on Viator, staying in these central hotels is even better, as most high-end tours offer door-to-door pickup from downtown locations.