Visit & Tasting at Salentein + Lunch at La Azul

Salentein gives this day its grand opening: a winery visit in the Uco Valley, where modern architecture, vineyards, mountain views, and four carefully chosen wines come together. I like the private round-trip transport and the chance to pair a major winery with the smaller, more personal setting of La Azul.

I also like the full lunch with wine pairings, which makes this more than a quick tasting stop. The main drawback is the long drive, about three hours total, and recent changes to the lunch venue show why you should confirm La Azul before departure. A tasting at Salentein can also feel rushed if the schedule runs tight.

Key points at a glance

• Four wines at Salentein: Taste one Salentein Reserve, two Salentein Númina wines, and one sparkling wine.
• A full lunch at La Azul: Enjoy a long Argentine meal with wine pairings rather than a simple snack between tastings.
• Private hotel transport: Ride in a newer vehicle from Mendoza and avoid arranging a driver after drinking.
• Two different winery styles: Salentein offers a polished, major-producer visit, while La Azul is smaller and family-oriented.
• A seven-hour commitment: Allow about 90 minutes each way for transport, plus 90 minutes at Salentein and 2.5 hours for lunch.
• A change-of-venue risk: Confirm that La Azul is operating as planned, since substitutions have occurred.

Salentein sets the tone in the Uco Valley

This tour is built around contrast. At Salentein, you get the scale and polish of one of Mendoza’s best-known wineries. At La Azul, you get a smaller winery setting and a slower meal. That combination works well if you want to see more than one side of Uco Valley wine country in a single day.

The ride from Mendoza takes about 1.5 hours. That is not a minor transfer. You will spend a good part of the morning or afternoon on the road, but private transport makes it far easier. You can watch the changing views, listen to your guide explain the area, and avoid the poor idea of driving after a wine tasting.

The pickup area covers places of stay in Mendoza. Exact departure times depend on availability, so check the start time carefully when you book. A seven-hour tour can fill most of your day, and the long return drive may leave you ready for a quiet evening.

What the Salentein visit includes

The Salentein stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You will tour the winery and vineyards, hear about the winemaking process, and learn about the winery’s background before tasting four selected wines.

The tasting lineup includes:

• One Salentein Reserve
• Two Salentein Númina wines
• One sparkling wine

That selection gives you a useful spread rather than four near-identical pours. The Reserve and Númina wines let you compare different expressions from the winery, while the sparkling wine changes the pace and texture of the tasting.

Salentein is also the more architectural part of the day. The winery is known for its striking design, and the setting gives you broad views across the Uco Valley. Bring a camera, but do not let the photo stops crowd out the tasting or the guide’s explanation.

I would treat the Salentein portion as an introduction rather than a full wine course. The scheduled 90 minutes must cover vineyards, production, history, and four wines. One recent experience found the tasting rushed, so you may want to ask questions early rather than waiting until the final pour.

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Chinese. That is useful if you want more than a silent walk through the facility. The quality of the day also depends on the guide and driver, and the available feedback points to especially attentive driving and helpful explanations about the area and wineries.

The five-minute transfer to La Azul matters

La Azul is only about five minutes away by transfer, which keeps the second half of the day simple. There is no long cross-valley ride between the tasting and lunch, and that gives you more time at the table.

The setting is described as smaller and family-oriented than Salentein. That difference is part of the appeal. Salentein introduces you to a major Mendoza name, while La Azul offers a more intimate winery atmosphere.

The lunch lasts around 2.5 hours. That is a generous amount of time for an Argentine meal, and it changes the rhythm of the day. Instead of rushing through another tasting, you can sit down, eat several courses, and match the meal with wine.

The food is presented as a full paired lunch, with Argentine cooking at the center. Specific dishes are not provided, so you should not book this expecting a fixed menu you already know. The meal is the main food event of the tour, not an afterthought added to fill time.

Wine choices can matter here. One account of the experience praised the meal and noted the option to choose the range of wines being tasted. If that choice is available on your date, ask what the options include before the meal begins. It is a useful way to make the lunch fit your taste and drinking pace.

The lunch venue needs confirmation

There is one practical concern I would take seriously. A recent booking had La Azul replaced by another winery, with Andeluna and a Sabores Andinos menu offered instead. The replacement required an extra payment of $70 per person, and the change caused real frustration.

Another experience also had the restaurant changed at the last minute, though the replacement meal turned out well. That means a substitute may still produce a good day, but it may not be the experience you paid to choose.

If La Azul is the reason you are considering this tour, contact the operator before the day and confirm three points:

• La Azul is available on your date.
• The full paired lunch is included at the stated price.
• No extra payment will be required if the venue changes.

Keep that confirmation in writing. The experience provider is Futuro Travels, and the stated package includes the lunch, winery visits, transportation, and insurance. Personal expenses are not included, so carry a payment method for anything outside the package.

Is $244 a fair price?

At $244 per person, this is not a budget winery outing. The price makes more sense if you value convenience and want a complete day without arranging a car, driver, restaurant reservation, and separate winery visits yourself.

You are paying for private in-and-out transportation in a newer vehicle, a guided Salentein visit, four wines, a full paired lunch, and insurance. You also get a driver who can handle the long route from Mendoza to the Uco Valley and back.

The value drops if you are mainly interested in a short tasting. In that case, the 90-minute Salentein visit and three hours of driving make this a costly way to sample four wines. The price works better for you if the lunch is a major part of the day and you want two winery settings in one outing.

The lunch change is the biggest value concern. If La Azul is replaced and you are asked for more money, pause before agreeing. A similar menu or another respected winery does not automatically make it an equal purchase.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms give you some flexibility, but they do not remove the need to confirm the venue and inclusions.

The road time is part of the experience

The route takes about 1.5 hours each way. That is enough time for the day to feel tiring, especially if you have plans in Mendoza that evening.

I would wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a hat, sunscreen, and water if you normally need it in strong sun. The tour runs in all weather, so check the forecast and dress for changing conditions. A camera is worthwhile for the winery architecture and Uco Valley views.

The vehicle is a major advantage here. Private transport lets you enjoy the tasting without worrying about the trip back. It also makes hotel pickup and drop-off much easier than piecing together taxis and regional transport.

Still, private transportation does not mean the day is fully private in every part. The information confirms private transport, but it does not state the group size or promise a private guide. If that distinction matters to you, ask before booking.

Who should book this day

I would recommend this experience to a wine-focused visitor who wants a polished winery and a substantial lunch in one outing. It suits couples, small groups, and anyone who prefers a planned day with transport already handled.

It is also a good choice if you want to compare two styles of Mendoza wine tourism. Salentein gives you a larger, more formal setting. La Azul gives you a smaller, more personal one.

This is less suitable for someone who wants a relaxed short excursion. The transfers take three hours in total, and the full program lasts seven hours. You should also think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, or cannot manage a day involving vehicle transfers and time on your feet.

The accessibility information is inconsistent. The activity details describe it as wheelchair accessible, but the restrictions also list wheelchair users among those for whom it is not suitable. Do not assume access is guaranteed. Contact the operator and ask about the vehicle, winery paths, tasting areas, and lunch facilities before paying.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

How to make the day go better

Start by confirming the lunch venue. That is the single most useful step, especially if La Azul is central to your plans.

Next, check the pickup address and start time. Mendoza pickup is included within the covered area, but the day has fixed travel blocks. A small delay can reduce time at Salentein or push lunch later.

At Salentein, ask questions during the guided portion rather than saving them all for the end. The tasting may feel quick, and the guide has several subjects to cover.

At La Azul, take advantage of the long meal. Ask about the wine range, pacing, and any menu details before the first course. You do not need to treat lunch as another race from one glass to the next.

Finally, keep your evening open. The return ride takes another 1.5 hours, and the actual finish can vary with road conditions and the pace of the meal.

FAQ

How long does the Salentein and La Azul experience last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, including pickup, travel, the Salentein visit, wine tasting, lunch, and the return to Mendoza.

How long is the ride from Mendoza to the Uco Valley?

The transfer from Mendoza to the winery area takes about 1.5 hours each way.

How many wines are tasted at Salentein?

You taste four wines: one Salentein Reserve, two Salentein Númina wines, and one sparkling wine.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a full paired lunch at La Azul, along with the winery visit, four-wine tasting, transportation, and insurance.

Is transportation included from my hotel?

Yes. Pickup and return transportation are included from your place of stay within the covered Mendoza pickup area.

Which languages are available for the guide?

Guiding is available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Chinese.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera. Dress for the weather because the tour operates in all conditions.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

The information is inconsistent. It lists the activity as wheelchair accessible but also says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Confirm the exact access arrangements with the operator before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full Uco Valley day with private transport, a respected winery, four varied pours, and a proper Argentine lunch. The driver service, attractive Salentein setting, and slower meal at La Azul give the outing a strong shape.

I would not book it without confirming La Azul first. The lunch venue is too important, and substitutions with added charges have happened. If the operator confirms the restaurant and inclusions, $244 can be reasonable for a convenient, food-and-wine-focused day. If the venue remains uncertain, choose a tour with a fixed lunch plan instead.