Mendoza: Winebike Tasting Tour with Optional Lunch

Mendoza’s Winebike tour turns wine country into a social outing: you sit aboard a multi-bike, pedal past vineyards and mountain views, and pause for wine, ham, cheese, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. I like the easygoing mix of food, scenery, and wine, and I like that the route includes both Carinae, Argentina’s oldest active winery, and Tempus Alba, a major South American exporter. The main catch is that this is more about fun and local stories than serious wine study.

I also like the chance to meet other people, especially if you are traveling alone. Guides such as Nico have earned praise for keeping the mood warm and explaining Mendoza’s wine culture clearly. Check your booking carefully, though: the three-course lunch is included only with the Tour with Lunch option, and one past guest reported confusion about that point.

Key things to know before you book

• Carinae starts the day at 10 am: You begin with a guided winery visit and tasting at one of Mendoza’s oldest active wine producers.
• The multi-bike is the star of the show: You pedal as a group through vineyard country, with wine and a ham and cheese platter along the way.
• La Melessca adds a useful change of pace: The olive oil factory visit includes tastings of regional oils, Aceto Balsámico, bread, and related products.
• Tempus Alba brings a bigger wine name: This winery is a major exporter, with wines sold around the world.
• Lunch is optional, not automatic: Choose the lunch version for a three-course Argentine meal with drinks, salad, and dessert at Finca el Pino.
• Plan for a full half-day: The activity lasts 270 minutes, and you must arrange your own way to and from Carinae.

Why the multi-bike makes Mendoza wine country different

Mendoza wine tasting often means moving from one cellar to another by car or van. This tour offers a more playful alternative. After the first winery visit, you climb aboard a multi-bike and pedal together through the countryside.

The bike creates a group activity rather than a private tasting. You are not simply sitting at a table while someone pours wine. You are moving through the vineyards, looking toward the mountains, and sharing the work of pedaling with the people around you. The format has a light, festive feel, which explains why it suits social travelers and solo visitors particularly well.

The supplied information does not give a precise route length or road conditions, so you should not book this expecting a demanding cycling excursion. It is best understood as a short, scenic ride between tastings. Comfortable clothes are recommended, and the experience is not suitable for people with limited mobility, wheelchair users, or children under five.

The multi-bike used on some outings has been described as holding up to 12 people. That makes the group part of the attraction, but it also means you have less control over the pace than on a private bicycle tour. If you want quiet roads, long independent rides, or a serious cycling workout, this is probably not your best choice.

Carinae: a strong first stop at 10 am

You meet your guide at Carinae S.A. at 10 am. Since hotel pickup is not included, you need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point. Allow enough time to arrive without rushing, since the first winery visit begins the program.

Carinae is described as Argentina’s oldest active winery. That gives the opening stop a sense of place. You are not starting with a generic tasting room, but with a winery tied to the long story of Mendoza’s wine production.

The visit includes a guided tour and tasting. You can expect an introduction to the winery, its background, and the wines being poured. One past outing included three wines, with the guide using the appealing idea of a breakfast, lunch, and dinner wine to explain their different roles and styles.

That detail captures the level of the tasting. You will learn about Argentine wine in a friendly, accessible way, but this is not designed as a technical class for wine specialists. The focus is on understanding Mendoza’s wine culture while enjoying a generous social tasting.

The quality of the guide matters here. Nico was singled out for his hosting, while other outings received praise for clear explanations of local history and wine. Guides speak English or Spanish, so you can choose the language that works for you when booking.

Pedaling with wine, ham, and cheese

Once the winery introduction is complete, the tour shifts outdoors. You board the multi-bike and ride through the vineyard area, taking in open views of vines and the mountains.

The food served during this part is simple and well chosen: ham and cheese. It gives you something to eat alongside the wine, which matters on a tasting tour with several stops. You should still treat the day as a wine-focused activity, not assume the small platter replaces a full meal.

The ride appears to be one of the most praised parts of the experience. It creates an instant social setting, and the combination of fresh air, music, wine, and group pedaling gives the outing a celebratory tone. It is also a good option if you are traveling alone and want an activity where conversation happens naturally.

There is a practical point to keep in mind. Wine is served throughout the day, and several past outings describe the pours as generous. Pace yourself. The ride may feel easy, but the total amount of wine can add up well before lunch.

The bike itself may also affect your enjoyment. You are sharing the vehicle with the group, so this is not a personal cycling tour through quiet lanes. I would choose it for company and atmosphere, not for speed or solitude.

La Melessca brings olive oil into the picture

The stop at La Melessca gives the day a useful break from wine. You tour the olive oil factory and taste regional products, including olive oils and Aceto Balsámico.

This stop broadens the experience beyond Mendoza’s famous grape harvest. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar are part of the same food culture that makes an Argentine lunch work so well, and tasting them beside local wine gives you a better sense of the region’s table.

The tasting can include bread with olive oil, as well as several oils, balsamic products, and other regional items. A past outing had the olive oil visit replace the bike portion when the bike broke down, and the substitute still worked well because the tasting was substantial and enjoyable. That is useful context: La Melessca is not just a quick gift-shop pause.

I would especially value this stop if you like food products and want to learn how olive oil and balsamic are made. It also gives you a quieter tasting moment after the group ride. On the other hand, if your only goal is to visit wineries, this part may feel like a detour.

Tempus Alba and Mendoza’s international reach

The route continues to Tempus Alba, described as the biggest wine exporter in South America. Its bottles are sold around the world, making this a useful stop for understanding how Mendoza wine reaches an international market.

You receive a guided tasting and more wine-focused commentary here. Tempus Alba helps balance the smaller, older feel of Carinae with a larger producer known beyond Argentina. Together, the two wineries give you a wider picture of local wine production.

Do not expect a formal sommelier course. The tour is built around history, food, scenery, and group enjoyment. If you already know Mendoza’s Malbecs and want detailed discussion of soil, fermentation, vintage variation, and cellar methods, you may find the explanations fairly light.

For most visitors, that is a fair trade. You learn enough to understand what you are tasting, then return to the social side of the day. The emphasis is on enjoying several Argentine wines in the places that produce them, rather than comparing bottles in a quiet academic setting.

The optional lunch at Finca el Pino

If you select the Tour with Lunch option, the day finishes at Finca el Pino with a three-course meal, drinks, salad, and dessert. A vegetarian option is available.

The meal is described as a full Argentine lunch, and other details point to a hearty, traditional meal, including Argentine barbecue. One past visit included four courses, so the exact structure may vary, but you should expect more than a light snack.

Finca el Pino adds atmosphere as well as food. The restaurant is surrounded by ancient trees and was once owned by the landholder of all Coquimbito. The same figure built the train to the Andes, giving the setting a local historical connection beyond its role as a restaurant.

The lunch is a major part of the value. It gives you time to sit down after the tastings and bike ride, and it turns the tour into a complete half-day outing. Reports of short waits and a festive atmosphere suggest that the meal is organized with the group in mind, though your experience can vary with the day’s pace.

Read the option name carefully when booking. The basic activity and the lunch version are not the same product. If you want the meal, select the tour that specifically includes lunch. Do not assume the food at Carinae, the ham and cheese platter, or the tastings count as the full Argentine meal.

What the $100 price gets you

At about $100 per person, the tour asks more than a simple winery tasting, but it also includes several separate elements: a guided multi-bike ride, tastings at two wineries, an olive oil factory visit, regional product samples, ham and cheese, and, if selected, the full lunch with drinks.

The value is strongest when you choose lunch and make use of the whole program. You are paying for a hosted half-day experience rather than individual tastings alone. Transport to Carinae, hotel pickup, and personal expenses are not included, so add your own arrival costs to the budget.

I think the price works best for people who want variety. In a single outing, you get wine, olive oil, scenery, a group activity, and a proper meal. If you plan to visit several wineries independently, you could prefer more control and perhaps more serious tasting time. You would also need to arrange transport and pay for each stop separately.

The tour has a rating of 4.1 from 73 reviews, which suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The strongest praise centers on the fun guides, beautiful views, generous wine, food, and social atmosphere. The clearest cautions are the possible confusion over lunch inclusion, the light wine education, and the fact that the multi-bike may not run perfectly every day.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to:

• Solo visitors who want an easy way to meet people
• Couples and friends who prefer a lively outing to a formal tasting
• First-time Mendoza visitors who want a broad introduction to wine country
• Food lovers who enjoy olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cheese, and Argentine cooking
• People comfortable with a shared bike and a group schedule

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, or want a quiet, private winery day. It is also not suitable for children under five. Serious wine students may prefer a specialist tasting with more technical commentary and fewer non-wine activities.

The language choice is practical. Live guides are available in English and Spanish, which makes the tour accessible to a wider range of visitors. Still, check that your preferred language is available for your selected date.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Those policies are useful if your Mendoza schedule is still changing, but they do not replace checking the lunch option and meeting point before you pay.

Should you book the Winebike tour?

Book it if you want Mendoza wine country with a social, active twist. The combination of Carinae, La Melessca, Tempus Alba, the multi-bike ride, and lunch at Finca el Pino packs a lot into 270 minutes. The strongest reason to go is not one particular bottle. It is the complete mood: fresh air, local food, generous pours, mountain views, and a guide who keeps the group moving.

Skip it if you want a quiet cellar visit, a private vehicle, or advanced wine analysis. For everyone else, especially solo visitors and first-time guests, choose the lunch version, arrive ready for a full afternoon, and pace yourself with the wine.

FAQ

Where does the Winebike tour meet?

You meet at Carinae S.A. in Mendoza Province. Transportation to the meeting point and hotel pickup are not included.

What time does the tour start?

The stated meeting time is 10 am. The full activity lasts 270 minutes.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is included only if you select the Tour with Lunch option. That version includes a three-course Argentine meal with drinks, salad, and dessert, with a vegetarian option available.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide speaks English or Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

The activity is not suitable for children under five, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. It is also not recommended for people with limited mobility.

What is included besides the wine tastings?

The tour includes a guided multi-bike ride, tastings and tours at two wineries, a regional product tasting at an olive oil factory, and a ham and cheese platter. The full lunch is included only with the selected lunch option.