If you like learning while you eat, this fits. In Como, I like that you get a guided tasting of Italian wines (plus world options) with cheese and cured meats in a cozy shop setting.

The two things I really like are how the experience is structured—4 or 7 wines with clear pairings—and how the sommelier brings the room to life. In the best examples from past tastings, the guide was Sandu: friendly, energetic, and very good at turning wine into something you can actually taste and talk about.

One thing to consider: not every tasting review was perfect. One person felt the value was low and mentioned wines served from bottles that had already been opened. If freshness is a deal-breaker for you, ask questions at the start and choose the option that matches your expectations.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• 4 or 7 wine options: pick your pace, from a shorter intro to a fuller flight
• Sommelier-led guidance: you’re not just drinking, you’re learning what to notice
• Cheese and cold cuts pairing: the food is chosen to match the wines you pour
• Vegetarian option available: swap to a vegetarian dish when requested
• Top private tasting available: you can reserve the wine shop for exclusive use
• Como location near the old city walls: the meeting point is right on the street, easy to find

Enoteca Capitan Drake: where the tasting starts in Como

This tasting takes place at Enoteca Capitan Drake in Como, with the meeting point set as the Enoteca Wine shop on the street. That sounds simple, but it matters in practice: you don’t want to burn your short time in Como hunting down a hidden entrance.

The shop is also a few meters from the old city walls. Translation: you’re tasting local wine in the part of town that feels walkable and “real,” not stuck out on the edge of nowhere. I’d plan your timing so you arrive a few minutes early, not because you need to rush, but because tasting experiences run smoother when the group can settle in.

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. You’ll be standing and moving slightly during the setup and tasting flow, and the better your comfort, the more you’ll enjoy paying attention to aromas and flavors.

The 1.5 to 2 hour rhythm: 4 wines vs 7 wines

You’ll spend about 1.5 to 2 hours total. In that window, the tasting is designed to feel like a guided “flight,” not a random sip-and-go.

Here’s the key choice: you can taste 4 wines in the standard option or 7 wines in the top option. And the number of glasses and the exact timing can vary by option. That’s normal for wine shops—different flights mean different pacing and pours.

In plain terms:

• The 4-wine option is best if you want a solid sampler without feeling rushed.
• The 7-wine option makes sense if you like variety and you’re curious how styles differ across regions and grape types.

You’re tasting wines representative of different vines and territories—so you’re not just repeating the same style. That variety is what helps you start building your own instincts: which aromas jump out first, what the acidity feels like, and how a dry wine can seem to “reset” your palate between bites.

If you’re new to wine, this kind of structured flight is a big advantage. If you’re more experienced, you’ll still appreciate hearing what the sommelier is listening for, even when you think you already know the basics.

What the sommelier (and the shop story) actually adds

The experience is guided by an expert sommelier. Your guide walks you through the wines and helps you understand what you’re tasting—plus you’ll get insights into the history of the wine shop and its selection.

The practical value here is that you don’t have to guess what you’re tasting. The guide will steer your attention toward what matters: how each wine tastes on its own and how it changes with the pairing.

In standout moments from past tastings, the sommelier Sandu was praised for being both kind and enthusiastic, with lots of know-how and a strong ability to explain without making it feel like a lecture. People also noted that the pacing and explanations made it fun, not stiff.

There’s also a social element built in, because it’s typically a small group. You’ll have a chance to chat with other people in the tasting space, and that can turn a “two-hour drink” into a more memorable evening.

One more detail that’s worth noting: the host or greeter offers English and Italian. If you’re more comfortable in one of those, you can settle in faster and ask smarter questions during the tasting.

Pairing wines with Italian cured meats and cheeses

Wine is only half the story here. The other half is food: a selection of cold cuts and cheeses paired with your chosen wines. There’s also a vegetarian dish option if you request it.

From a value perspective, this pairing makes the tasting feel like a meal segment, not just drinks. Cheese and cured meats can highlight different textures and flavors—salty, fatty, sometimes slightly smoky—and that gives your palate something real to work with between pours.

One past highlight mentioned the cold cuts were prepared on-site, and the platter was considered generous. That kind of small detail is exactly what makes a pairing feel intentional instead of like a token snack.

For you, the best move is to treat the pairing like part of the tasting. Taste the wine, take a small bite, then go back to the wine again. That back-and-forth is where the explanation turns into something you can taste for yourself.

Important caution: the experience is not suitable for people with food allergies. If you have any serious allergy, don’t assume you can swap safely—plan accordingly.

Vegetarian option: how to make sure you still get a full flight

If you’d rather not eat cured meats and cheese, you can choose the vegetarian dish option. It’s available upon request.

In a wine-and-food pairing, vegetarian choices can sometimes feel like an afterthought. Here, at least in the way the experience is framed, the vegetarian option is part of the same pairing idea—so you still get food that goes with the wines rather than just a generic alternative.

If you want the smoothest experience, make your request clearly ahead of time so the team can plan the pairing.

And again: if you have allergies, you’ll need to be careful, since the activity isn’t designed for people with food allergies.

Price and value: is $59 per person a fair deal?

At $59 per person, you’re paying for three things bundled together:

• a guided tasting of 4 or 7 wines
• pairing food (cold cuts and cheeses, or a vegetarian dish)
• the sommelier’s time explaining what you’re tasting

Whether it feels like a steal or a stretch depends on which option you pick and what you expect.

If you choose the 4-wine tasting, it’s a good value when you want a guided intro and a satisfying snack pairing without a long night. If you choose 7 wines, the value usually feels better because you’re getting more variety and more total pours within the same 1.5 to 2 hour window.

Still, there is one note to take seriously. One person felt the tasting was mediocre and said they were served wine from bottles that had been previously opened. They also thought the experience was overpriced.

That doesn’t mean every tasting will be like that. But it does mean you should use the start of the experience to set expectations. If you care about wine quality, ask about how wine is served and handled within the flight. A good shop won’t mind your questions.

Private top tasting: when exclusive use of the shop matters

There’s an option for a private top tasting where you can reserve the wine shop for exclusive use.

This is the right choice when you want more control over the vibe—less crowd energy, more focused conversation, and a more private setting for tasting. It can also be useful if you’re going with a small circle and you don’t want to share the room.

The trade-off is simple: exclusive use typically means fewer “wandering” interactions and more intentional focus. If that’s your preference, private top makes sense.

One practical point: private top tasting is described as exclusive use of the shop, but the exact structure still follows the idea of a top tasting. So if you’re aiming for a deeper range of wines, this is the option aligned with that.

Who this Como wine-and-cheese experience suits best

This works especially well if you:

• want a guided tasting instead of trying to figure everything out alone
• like pairing wine with food (not just sipping)
• enjoy a small group environment
• want an experience that’s easy to fit into an evening in Como

It’s also a strong choice if you’re the type who learns best by doing. The sommelier guidance plus tasting flight gives you repetition and structure, which makes the flavors stick.

A few people should skip it:

• pregnant women
• children under 18
• people with food allergies

And yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is a helpful detail if mobility access affects your planning.

Should you book this Como wine tasting with cheese and cold cuts?

I’d book it if you want a short, guided way to understand Italian wine styles in real time, with cheese and cured meats (or a vegetarian pairing) that actually supports what you’re tasting. The best sign is the way people mention the sommelier experience—especially the warmth and energy linked to Sandu—and the fact that the tasting feels social without being chaotic.

I’d hesitate if you’re extremely picky about wine handling and freshness, since there’s at least one negative account about previously opened bottles. If that matters to you, ask at the start and choose the option that best matches your comfort level.

If you do book, bring your ID (a copy is accepted) and wear comfortable shoes. Then show up hungry enough to enjoy the pairings, and you’ll get the full value of the flight.

FAQ

How many wines do I taste in this experience?

You can choose between tasting 4 wines or 7 wines, depending on the option you select.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours.

What food is included with the wine?

The tasting includes pairing with a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, or you can request a vegetarian dish.

Is there a private option?

Yes. A private top tasting is available, with exclusive use of the wine shop.

Where do I meet the host?

Look for the Enoteca Wine shop right on the street (Enoteca Capitan Drake).

Is it wheelchair accessible, and is it suitable for kids or pregnancy?

It is listed as wheelchair accessible. It is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18 years old, and it is not suitable for people with food allergies.