Potrerillos Lake Sailing Tour with Wine and Cheese

Potrerillos Lake gives you a rare Mendoza view: the Andes rising beyond open water instead of rows of vines. This private outing pairs 1.5 hours of sailing with sparkling wine, cheeses, and dried fruit aboard the eight-passenger VAIU. It is a calm, scenic change from the usual winery circuit.

I like the small-group setup, which keeps the boat personal, and I like the included pickup and drop-off within the covered area. The mountain views and quiet water are the real stars. The cheese selection may feel a little limited if you expect a full tasting, and the $213 price asks you to value the setting as much as the food.

Key points to know before booking

• The Andes look different from the water: Potrerillos Lake gives you a wide, open view of Mendoza’s mountain country.
• The sailing portion lasts 1.5 hours: The full activity takes four hours, including transfers and time around the boat.
• VAIU carries up to eight people: You get a private group setting rather than a large excursion boat.
• Wine and snacks are included: Expect sparkling wine, wine, cheeses, and dried fruits, though the cheese range is not especially broad.
• Safety gear is serious and complete: Life jackets, communication equipment, GPS, sonar, VHF radio, and a first aid kit are onboard.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the outing, and rescheduling nearby may be difficult.

Potrerillos Lake, Mendoza’s mountain-view sailing spot

Potrerillos Lake sits in Mendoza Province, surrounded by the Andes. Most visitors know Mendoza for vineyards, cellar visits, and big red wines. This outing gives you a different side of the region, one built around open water, mountain air, and a slow ride beneath the sky.

The lake’s clear water and mountain backdrop create the main attraction. You are not simply being transported from one sightseeing stop to another. For part of the afternoon, the boat itself is the destination. That makes this a good choice when you want a break from scheduled tastings and walking tours.

The best part is the change in viewpoint. From a winery, you often look toward the mountains from a settled inland setting. On the lake, you can watch the shoreline and peaks shift as the boat moves. The Andes remain the visual anchor, but the water adds space and calm.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is not a full-day sailing expedition, and there is no long list of lake stops. The actual sailing lasts about 90 minutes. The remaining time is tied to pickup, drop-off, preparation, and the relaxed pace of the outing.

Pickup, transfers, and the four-hour schedule

The total duration is four hours, and transfer in and out is included. Pickup and drop-off are provided at your place of stay within the covered service area. This saves you from arranging separate transport to Potrerillos Lake, an important benefit in a region where the lake is outside the center of Mendoza.

Because the exact starting times depend on availability, check the schedule before you commit to another activity on the same day. A winery visit with fixed cellar times could be awkward to combine if the transfer takes longer than expected. I would leave a generous gap before and after this outing.

The transfer also affects the value of the $213 price. You are paying for more than time on the water. The cost includes private transportation, the boat, crew, safety equipment, wine, and food. If you already have a rental car and are mainly looking for a short sail, the price may feel high. If you want a simple door-to-door plan, the included transfer makes the fee easier to justify.

Pickup is especially useful for visitors who do not want to drive in an unfamiliar area or arrange a taxi for a mountain-lake outing. You should still confirm that your lodging falls within the covered area when booking.

Boarding VAIU for 1.5 hours of sailing

The sailing takes place aboard VAIU, described as an award-winning luxury sailboat with room for up to eight passengers. That capacity gives the outing a private feel. It suits a couple, a family, or a small group of friends who want to share one boat without being mixed into a large crowd.

A smaller boat changes the mood. You can focus on the views, talk with your group, and enjoy the food without the noise and movement of a big sightseeing vessel. The private group format also makes the activity a better fit for a celebration or a quiet afternoon together.

The crew is described as expert, friendly, and responsible for your safety and comfort. Specific crew names are not provided, but service is available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Chinese. That broad language support is useful when you need instructions about boarding, seating, or safety.

Do not expect the 1.5-hour sailing to be a lesson in navigation or a demanding sailing course. The activity is built around relaxation. You ride across the lake, take photos, enjoy the view, and let the crew handle the boat.

The listing calls the water crystal clear, but the experience is primarily visual and leisurely rather than sporty. No swimming, fishing, or watersports are included, so bring the right expectations. This is a scenic boat outing with refreshments.

Watching the Andes from the lake

The mountains are the reason to book this activity. Potrerillos Lake places you in front of a broad view of the Andes, and the water gives you a clean foreground for photographs. Bring your camera, but also make time to put it down. The setting is well suited to a quiet hour with very little to do beyond looking around.

Light and weather will shape the mood. On a clear day, the contrast between the lake and the mountain ridges should be the strongest feature of the trip. Clouds or poor conditions can reduce visibility, which is why the weather policy matters. The activity may be canceled if conditions are not suitable, and nearby rescheduling may be difficult.

That warning is practical rather than alarming. Sailing depends on wind and water conditions, and safety comes first. If this is the one fixed highlight of your Mendoza visit, avoid booking it on your last possible day. Leave room in your itinerary in case the weather prevents the trip from running.

Wear comfortable clothing and closed shoes. Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen, even if the day feels mild at the pickup point. Open water and mountain sun can feel stronger than expected. A camera is worth packing, but protect it from splashes and keep it secure while moving around the boat.

Sparkling wine, cheeses, and dried fruit

The food service is simple and well matched to the setting. You receive sparkling wine, wine, a cheese platter, and dried fruits. These are easy foods to enjoy on a moving boat, and the combination gives you something to nibble while the scenery does the main work.

I would think of the tasting as a light pairing, not a formal Mendoza wine seminar or a large meal. If you are hungry, eat beforehand. The provided food adds to the outing, but it should not replace lunch.

The wine element fits Mendoza well. You get to sample sparkling wine and wine while looking across the province’s mountain country. The connection is not the same as visiting a vineyard, since the activity does not include a winery, cellar, or vineyard tour. Still, it brings a small part of Mendoza’s wine culture onto the water.

The cheese selection is the one area where expectations need adjusting. The assortment may lack variety, especially if you are hoping for a broad tasting with several distinct styles. The dried fruit helps round out the platter, but the food is a supporting feature rather than the main event.

For many people, that will be fine. The value is in sipping a glass while the boat moves across Potrerillos Lake, not in comparing a long list of cheeses. If food is the main reason you book, this may not be the strongest choice. If you want a pleasant snack with a memorable view, it fits better.

Safety equipment and comfort onboard

The boat carries life jackets for every passenger, communication equipment, a handheld VHF, sonar, satellite GPS, onboard Wi-Fi for crew use, a VHF radio, and a first aid kit. You will not use every item, but the list shows that the outing is operated with proper safety planning.

The crew handles the equipment and navigation. You should still follow instructions, wear suitable shoes, and keep your belongings secure. Closed shoes are specifically recommended, which is sensible on a boat where surfaces may shift underfoot.

This activity is not suitable for people with back problems. Even a quiet sailing trip involves boarding, sitting on a boat, and movement from the water. If you have a back condition or concern about getting on and off the vessel, ask before booking.

The boat holds up to eight passengers, but the exact number in your private group may vary. The small capacity is helpful for comfort and conversation. It also means the outing feels more personal than a standard lake cruise.

Is $213 per person a fair price?

At $213 per person, this is a premium Mendoza activity. The price makes the most sense for people who value privacy, transport, and a polished setting. You receive pickup and drop-off, a private group, 1.5 hours of sailing, refreshments, and a crew with full safety equipment.

The price is harder to justify if you judge the trip only by minutes spent sailing. Ninety minutes on the water is not a long excursion, and the cheese selection may not satisfy someone seeking an elaborate tasting. You are paying for the full four-hour outing and the convenience of having the day arranged for you.

A group of friends or family can get more value from the private format because the boat becomes a shared occasion. Couples may also see the price differently, especially if the lake setting is more appealing than another standard winery visit. Solo visitors should note that the private-group structure may feel expensive unless they are joining a suitable booking arrangement.

I would compare this with the cost of private transport to Potrerillos Lake, a boat outing arranged independently, and food and wine purchased separately. Since those alternatives are not provided here, I cannot give you a direct price comparison. Still, the included transfer and private boat access are the main reasons this package can make sense.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

This experience suits you if you want a slow, scenic afternoon and prefer a small group. It is especially appealing for:

• Couples looking for a peaceful setting with wine and mountain views
• Families wanting a private activity rather than a crowded boat
• Friends who enjoy photography, conversation, and a relaxed drink
• Visitors who have already seen Mendoza’s wineries and want a different setting
• People who prefer arranged transport instead of driving to the lake

It is less suitable if you want a long sailing trip, a serious wine education, a large cheese tasting, or an active water sport. It also is not a good choice for someone with back problems.

The activity works best when you let the pace stay slow. Do not pack the same day with several fixed appointments. The point is to give yourself a few hours away from city traffic and tasting-room schedules.

Practical preparation for Potrerillos Lake

Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes. Add sunglasses, a hat or cap, sunscreen, and a camera. These are small items, but they matter on open water, where sun and wind can make you uncomfortable quickly.

Check the weather before you go and keep your schedule flexible. The trip can be canceled if conditions are unsuitable, and rescheduling close to the original date may be difficult. If the sailing is important to your Mendoza plans, book it early enough to leave another day available.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your wider Argentina itinerary is still taking shape. Check the starting time and pickup coverage before finalizing the booking.

The service is available in six languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Chinese. That is helpful for basic communication and safety instructions, though the specific crew member for your outing is not named.

Should you book the Potrerillos sailing tour?

Book it if you want to see the Andes from the water, enjoy a private group setting, and value door-to-door transport. The lake views are the strongest reason to go, and the quiet 1.5-hour sail gives Mendoza a welcome change of pace.

Think twice if your priority is a substantial food experience or a long day under sail. The wine and cheese pairing is pleasant but limited, and the $213 cost is not a bargain for the sailing time alone.

My practical call: this is a good special-occasion choice for a couple, family, or small group that wants scenery and ease. Book it on a day with schedule flexibility, bring sun protection, and treat the food as a light accompaniment to the Andes rather than the main attraction.

FAQ

How long does the Potrerillos Lake sailing tour last?

The full activity lasts four hours. This includes pickup and drop-off, with about 1.5 hours of sailing on Potrerillos Lake.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transfer in and out, sailing, mountain views, sparkling wine, wine, a cheese platter, dried fruits, and an expert crew with safety equipment.

How many people can ride on the VAIU sailboat?

VAIU has capacity for up to eight passengers. The activity is offered as a private group experience.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for each experience at your place of stay within the covered service area.

What languages are available?

The activity is offered in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Chinese.

What should I bring, and is the tour suitable for everyone?

Bring sunglasses, a hat or cap, sunscreen, a camera, comfortable clothes, and closed shoes. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems, and weather conditions can cause cancellation.