Maipú, the wine area made for bikes
About 15 km from central Mendoza, the department of Maipú is one of the province's oldest wine areas. Century-old wineries, vineyards, olive groves and olive oil mills are spread along almost flat roads, especially in the Coquimbito district around Urquiza street, where the bike rental shops are concentrated. It is Mendoza's classic winery-by-bike route: no big hills, short distances between visits and the Andes as a backdrop.
If you are after high-altitude Malbec and wineries at the foot of the mountains, the Luján de Cuyo area has a different character, which we cover in our guide to the wineries of Luján de Cuyo. Maipú, on the other hand, is ideal for combining cycling, wine history and regional products in a single day, at your own pace.
Getting there from Mendoza
- City bus: several lines connect central Mendoza with Coquimbito and Urquiza street. You pay with a SUBE card. As the bus network has been reorganised in recent years, ask at your accommodation or the rental shop which line to take and where to get off.
- Taxi, remís or ride-hailing app: the most convenient option for groups or if you want to arrive early without relying on timetables.
- Guided outing: some local guides include transport, bikes, winery bookings and support along the route.
What cycling between wineries is like
The circuit is built around Urquiza street and the rural roads that branch off it. Depending on how many visits you make, the day adds up to roughly 10 to 25 km of cycling in total, on almost flat ground, so you do not need to be in training. What you do need to keep in mind is traffic: part of the route runs along roads with cars and lorries, especially Urquiza, so ride in single file, keep to the right and take care at junctions.
Along the way you will find different kinds of stops:
- Historic wineries, some over a century old, with brick buildings and wine museums displaying old presses, barrels and tools.
- Family and boutique wineries, with more personal visits and the chance to talk to the people who make the wine.
- Olive oil mills, where you can taste oil with bread.
- Producers of jams, liqueurs and preserves, typical of the area.
Maipú's vineyards, like the whole Mendoza oasis, are irrigated by a network of canals and ditches that dates back to the irrigation systems of the region's Indigenous peoples and was expanded over centuries. A local guide can tell you this story and explain how Andean meltwater makes wine possible in such a dry region.
How many wineries to visit in a day
Three or four visits is a sensible number. Each visit with a tasting usually lasts between 45 minutes and an hour, plus cycling time, a lunch break and returning the bike before the shop closes. Trying to see more wineries usually ends in a rushed day with too much wine.
A few tips for planning the day:
- Book your visits: many wineries work with time slots and limited places, especially in high season.
- Check opening days: several wineries close on Sundays and public holidays or open with reduced hours.
- Plan lunch: you can eat at a winery restaurant (booking required) or bring something for a picnic.
- Start early: rental shops usually hand out bikes in the morning and ask for them back before sunset.
You can see outings by local guides in the cycling in Mendoza section.
Best time to go
Mendoza has a dry, sunny climate almost all year, so you can do the route in any season, though each has its own character:
- Spring (September to November): pleasant temperatures and budding vines. One of the best times to cycle.
- Summer (December to February): intense heat that can exceed 35 °C at midday. Start early, drink plenty of water and rest in the middle of the day.
- Harvest (February to April): the vintage brings the wineries to life. The National Grape Harvest Festival is held in the city of Mendoza in early March, with high demand for accommodation.
- Autumn (April and May): yellow and red vineyards and mild temperatures. Probably the most beautiful time for the route.
- Winter (June to August): sunny but cool days, bare vines and fewer visitors.
Wine and cycling, sensibly
- Use the spittoons: it is normal at a tasting and nobody will mind.
- Drink plenty of water between wineries and eat something before each visit.
- Always wear a helmet (rental shops usually include one) and check the brakes and tyres when you pick up your bike.
- If, after the tastings, someone would rather not keep cycling, call a remís or a ride-hailing app.
- Respect the vineyards: do not walk into the rows without permission or pick grapes.
What to bring
- Sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses: Mendoza's sun is strong even in winter.
- A large, refillable water bottle.
- Comfortable, cool clothing and closed shoes.
- Cash and a card: tastings usually have a fee and some small places prefer cash.
- A small backpack, in case you buy a bottle or some olive oil.
On your own or with a local guide
Doing the circuit on your own gives you freedom and is easy thanks to the rental shops on Urquiza. Going with a local guide, on the other hand, saves you the logistics: they book the visits, know less-visited family wineries, organise lunch, provide mechanical support and tell you the story of Mendoza wine as you ride. It is a good option if you only have one day or are travelling as a group.
On Trekonda you can write directly to guides in Mendoza to plan a tailor-made route, with no middleman commission. To compare cycling tours among the vineyards, visit the winery bike tours in Mendoza section.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be fit to cycle the Maipú wineries?
No. The ground is almost flat and distances are short. You just need to be able to ride a bike and be careful with traffic.
How many kilometres will I ride?
It depends on the wineries you choose, but a typical day adds up to 10 to 25 km in total, with plenty of stops.
Can I do the route on a Sunday?
Yes, although several wineries close on Sundays or open with reduced hours. Check and book ahead.
Can children come?
Yes, with bikes in their size or child seats, if the rental shop offers them. Some wineries serve grape juice to younger visitors, and the olive oil mills are usually a stop they enjoy.