Potrerillos Lake Sailing Tour with Wine and Cheese

Potrerillos Lake gives you a fresh view of Mendoza. Instead of tasting wine beneath the dry foothills, you’ll glide across clear water with the Andes rising around you. The sailing time is 1.5 hours, but transfers and the food-and-wine service make this a four-hour outing.

I like the small private group, limited to eight people, and I like the easy pairing of sparkling wine, cheese, and dried fruit. The main drawback is value: at $213 per person, this is a special-occasion splurge, and one past booking found the cheese and wine selection a little short on variety.

Key points to know before you book

• Potrerillos Lake setting: You sail with broad views of the Andes rather than simply seeing the mountains from a roadside viewpoint.
• VAIU sailboat: The luxury boat carries up to eight passengers and has safety equipment, communication gear, GPS, sonar, and a first-aid kit.
• Only 1.5 hours under sail: The full experience lasts four hours, including pickup, drop-off, and time around the lake.
• Wine and cheese onboard: Expect sparkling wine, wine, cheese, and dried fruits, though the selection may feel modest to serious food lovers.
• Private group format: This suits couples, families, and friends who want a quieter outing than a large coach or boat tour.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the sailing, and nearby replacement dates may be hard to find.

A quiet change of pace from Mendoza’s wine country

Mendoza is famous for vineyards, cellar doors, and long lunches. Potrerillos Lake offers a different kind of pleasure: open water, cool air, and a mountain view that changes as the boat moves.

The lake sits in Mendoza Province, surrounded by the Andes. From the deck, you can take in the scale of the mountains without a road, vineyard wall, or tasting-room table in front of you. The water and sky do much of the work here. This is a relaxed outing, not a packed sightseeing day.

I like the contrast. After a few days of winery visits, a slow sail can be exactly what you need. You have room to talk, take photographs, and enjoy a drink without rushing to the next scheduled stop.

The experience is also suited to people who want a polished setting without a large group. The VAIU sailboat carries up to eight passengers, so your time on the water should feel more personal than a standard sightseeing cruise. The private-group format is especially useful for a couple marking a special occasion or a family looking for an outing everyone can share.

What the four-hour outing actually includes

The advertised duration is four hours, but only 1.5 hours are spent sailing on Potrerillos Lake. That distinction matters when you compare the price with a longer boat excursion.

The remaining time includes pickup and drop-off within the covered service area, along with the time needed to reach the lake and prepare for the sailing portion. Since the exact transfer length is not provided, check the pickup details for your accommodation when you reserve.

Once you reach the lake, the main event is straightforward. You board the VAIU, settle in, and head across the water with the crew handling the sailing and safety duties. The trip is built around calm enjoyment rather than a long list of stops.

You should expect the route to focus on views of the lake and Andes. There is no separate winery visit, hiking stop, or formal sightseeing program included. That is a benefit if you want a simple day outside, but it may disappoint you if you prefer a busy itinerary with several activities.

The VAIU sailboat and the small-group advantage

The VAIU is described as an award-winning luxury sailboat with room for up to eight passengers. The limited capacity is one of the strongest reasons to consider this experience.

A small boat gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit and enjoying the scenery without a crowd around you. It also makes the outing a natural fit for a private group. You can spend the time talking with your own companions rather than trying to follow a guide over the noise of a larger vessel.

The crew is described as friendly and experienced, with responsibility for both comfort and safety. Several languages are available for instruction and communication: Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Chinese.

The safety setup is more extensive than the simple wording of a leisure cruise might suggest. Life jackets are available for all passengers, and the boat carries communication equipment, a handheld VHF, a VHF radio, sonar, satellite GPS, and a first-aid kit. Wi-Fi is onboard for crew use, not presented as a passenger service.

You should still think about how you feel on a boat. People with back problems are advised not to book. Comfortable clothing and closed shoes are recommended, since you will be on an outdoor vessel rather than sitting in a restaurant.

Andes views from the water

The mountain scenery is the heart of this outing. From Potrerillos Lake, the Andes provide a wide backdrop instead of a single framed view. The water gives you a changing angle as the sailboat moves, and the open setting should appeal to anyone who enjoys photographs or quiet scenery.

Bring a camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat or cap on hot days. These are not throwaway suggestions. Bright light reflecting off the water can make sunglasses and sun protection useful even when the air feels pleasant.

A camera is worth packing because the experience offers a different view of Mendoza than a standard road trip. The mountain, sky, and lake create simple photographs, but the setting gives them scale. You may find that early or late light changes the mood of the water, though the exact sailing time depends on availability and the schedule you select.

The scenery is also a reason not to overplan your time onboard. You do not need a constant stream of commentary to enjoy this outing. The pleasure comes from the stillness, the breeze, and the gradual shift in the view.

Wine, cheese, and dried fruit onboard

The food and drink service adds a Mendoza touch to the sailing. You receive sparkling wine, wines, a cheese platter, and dried fruits. It is a sensible menu for a boat: easy to share, easy to eat, and well matched to an afternoon on the water.

I would treat this as a tasting accompaniment rather than a full meal. The supplied details do not describe a lunch, substantial snacks, or a large selection of local products. If you need a proper meal, plan around the tour rather than assuming the platter will replace one.

The strongest pairing is the setting itself. A glass of sparkling wine, a piece of cheese, and the Andes beyond the rail make the experience feel festive without turning it into a formal tasting class.

There is one useful caution. One booking from January 2025 rated the outing four out of five and praised the lake and the relaxing scenery, but found the wine and cheese selection lacking in variety. If you are booking mainly for food and drink, keep your expectations measured. If you are booking for the lake and mountain views, the tasting service works as a pleasant extra.

Who will get the most from this experience

This is a good match for couples who want a peaceful setting and a memorable shared activity. The private format gives the outing a more intimate feel, and the sparkling wine makes it suitable for a birthday, anniversary, or simply a special afternoon.

Families can also enjoy it, especially if everyone is comfortable being on a boat and sitting quietly for part of the trip. The crew provides safety equipment, but the experience is not described as a children’s activity with games or entertainment. Younger children may need close attention around the water.

Friends will appreciate the small capacity. A group of up to eight can enjoy the boat together without splitting up, and the wine-and-cheese service gives you an easy focal point for conversation.

This is less suitable for anyone with back problems, anyone seeking a full-day adventure, or anyone who wants a serious wine education. It is also not the best choice if you dislike weather-dependent plans. Sailing relies on conditions, and a cancellation may be difficult to move to a nearby date.

Is $213 per person fair value?

At $213 per person, this is expensive for 1.5 hours of sailing alone. The price makes more sense when you count the private group setting, pickup and drop-off, the luxury boat, crew, safety equipment, and the included wine-and-cheese service.

You are paying for atmosphere and privacy, not simply transport across the lake. A large public boat trip might cost less, but it would not offer the same limited-capacity feel. If you are marking a special occasion, the price may feel reasonable because the outing combines scenery, drinks, and a private setting in one package.

For a solo visitor on a tight budget, I would hesitate. The experience is most compelling when shared with a partner, family, or a group of friends who can enjoy the boat together. The cost is easier to justify when the day forms one of the highlights of a Mendoza stay rather than an ordinary sightseeing stop.

The modest food selection is the main value limitation. Do not book this expecting a lavish gourmet spread. Book it for the lake, the Andes, the sailboat, and the calm pace, with the tasting platter as part of the package.

Practical preparation for the lake

Wear comfortable clothing and closed shoes. You do not need to dress formally for the luxury boat, and outdoor-friendly clothes will serve you better than anything delicate or restrictive.

Pack:

• Sunglasses
• A hat or cap
• Sunscreen
• A camera
• Comfortable clothing
• Closed shoes

Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations within the covered area. Since the service area is not defined in the supplied details, confirm that your place of stay qualifies before you finalize plans.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mendoza schedule is still shifting, but the weather warning deserves equal attention. If conditions are unsuitable, the sailing may be canceled, and nearby replacement dates may not be available.

A weather-dependent outing worth protecting in your schedule

The lake can be beautiful, but sailing is never fully independent of the weather. The operator puts safety first, and poor conditions may lead to cancellation. That is frustrating if this is your only free afternoon, so avoid placing the experience on the last possible day of your trip if you can.

The warning is particularly important because rescheduling may be difficult on nearby dates. Leave some flexibility around the booking if your schedule allows.

On a suitable day, the weather concern becomes part of the appeal. The boat, open water, and mountain views all depend on being outside, and the experience would lose much of its character indoors or under poor conditions.

Should you book the Potrerillos Lake sailing tour?

Book it if you want a quiet, scenic Mendoza outing with a private group, a luxury sailboat, and wine in hand. The lake views are the main attraction, and the small capacity makes the experience feel more personal than a standard boat ride.

Think twice if $213 feels high for 1.5 hours of sailing, if you want a full meal, or if you prefer a dependable indoor activity. The cheese and wine selection may not satisfy serious food enthusiasts, and poor weather can disrupt the plan.

For couples and small groups celebrating something, I think the setting makes the cost easier to defend. For everyone else, compare it with your other Mendoza priorities. If you have already visited several wineries and want a slower afternoon with the Andes in view, this is a distinctive change of pace.

FAQ

How long does the Potrerillos Lake sailing experience last?

The full activity lasts four hours. This includes pickup and drop-off, while the sailing portion on Potrerillos Lake lasts 1.5 hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $213 per person.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Transfer in and out with pickup and drop-off is included for places of stay within the covered service area.

How many people can join the sailboat?

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

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes sparkling wine, wine, a cheese platter, and dried fruits.

What languages are available?

Instruction and service are available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Chinese.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat or cap, sunscreen, a camera, comfortable clothing, and closed shoes.

Can the sailing be canceled because of weather?

Yes. If the weather is unsuitable, the sailing may be canceled. Rescheduling on nearby dates may be difficult.

Is the activity suitable for people with back problems?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for people with back problems.