A wine lesson with serious Como vibes.

This is a 90-minute, small-group tasting in the city center where a professional sommelier walks you through 4 wines and the why behind each pour. I like that you’re not just drinking; you’re getting tasting notes and practical pairing guidance while you sample Italian cheese and charcuterie at Capitan Drake.

My favorite part is the food logic. The boards include prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella, and the session is built so each bite has a job with the glass. One possible drawback: if you’re easily thrown off by differences in what gets poured at the table, ask early whether you’ll be doing the standard set or an optional upgrade.

Key Things I’d Prioritize Before You Go

• Sommelier-led explanations that connect grape, region, and what you’re tasting
• 4 (sometimes 5) glasses paired with a mix board of Italian staples
• Tasting notes to refresh your memory once you’re back home
• Local charcuterie and cheese including prosciutto crudo and buffalo mozzarella
• Max 12 people, so you can actually ask questions and hear answers
• Wines can be bought after, with worldwide shipping

The 90-Minute Como Plan That Actually Fits a Day

Lake Como is easy to overpack. This tasting is one of those smart blocks of time that doesn’t swallow your afternoon. The session runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, starts a few minutes after you meet, and ends right back at Capitan Drake.

At $79.24 per person, it’s not a budget free-for-all. But you’re paying for two things that usually cost extra in Italy: guided wine education and enough pours and snacks to make the pairing feel real, not token.

If you’re the type who likes to do one solid “experience” instead of bouncing between five half-plans, this fits. It’s also offered in English, and the group size is capped at 12 travelers, which matters more than it sounds once you’re in the room.

Capitan Drake: The Convenient City-Center Wine-Bar Setting

You meet at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, in central Como. The venue is a wine bar/shop setup, so you’re tasting in a place built for it—not in a random corner of a tourist street.

The practical upside is location. You can slot this in without planning a bus ride or a taxi cross-town adventure. It’s also near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

One other small detail that shows up in real travel life: the tasting starts a few minutes after meeting time. If you’re the kind of person who arrives with a tight clock, give yourself a little cushion so you don’t miss that first pour.

What the Sommelier Does With 4 Wines (So You Remember Them)

The core of the experience is the sommelier’s run-through of each varietal. You’ll learn about each wine and get tasting notes that help you remember what to look for later—back home, on your couch, or the next time you’re in a shop staring at bottles.

From the reviews and the tour format, the sommelier doesn’t just read off a label. The explanations cover where the wines come from and how they’re made, and the pace is built so beginners feel welcome. I also like that it’s not only Italy-only talk. The shop has a “range of Italian and world wines,” so you get context, not just one-note tasting.

A good sign: people describe the hosts as friendly and willing to answer questions, including how fermentation/aging affects what you smell and taste. That’s the difference between casual sipping and learning something you can reuse.

The Mix Board Pairing: Prosciutto, Cheese, and Buffalo Mozzarella

This tasting doesn’t treat food as a side quest. You get snacks served to complement the wines, and the main board includes prosciutto crudo, cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella.

Why that matters: pairing isn’t about fancy rules. It’s about balance. Salty cured meat, creamy cheese, and fresh mozzarella can help you notice acidity, fat, tannins, and how the wine changes from sip to bite. When the sommelier explains what to expect, you start tasting with a purpose instead of crossing your fingers.

You’ll also get a mix board of typical Italian foods, paired across the session. And while the standard description is clear, a few people report extra surprises like dessert wine or homemade tiramisu, depending on how the tasting runs that day. If that sounds like your kind of bonus, great—just don’t count on it as the main reason to book.

How Many Wines You’ll Actually Taste (And What Optional Upgrades Mean)

The listed tasting includes alcoholic beverages: 4–5 glasses to enjoy. Some reviews mention an extra (fifth) wine during the session, which fits the “4–5” range and suggests the host may add something when it makes sense with the flow.

There’s also an optional upgrade path. One response from the provider clarifies that there’s a paid option that includes more wines (up to 7 wines). If you know you want a longer, heavier pour, ask about upgrades early rather than hoping your group will match someone else’s order.

Here’s the practical mindset I’d use: the standard session is designed to cover multiple regions and styles in about 90 minutes. The upgrade is for wine lovers who want more bottles and more explanation per stop.

Small Group Energy: Conversation Without the Chaos

A max group size of 12 is the sweet spot for this type of experience. Big tours can turn wine tasting into a standing-room lecture. Here, you’re more likely to hear the sommelier and to ask follow-up questions.

The reviews mention groups from across Europe, with lots of chat and laughter. That’s exactly what you want in a tasting room: not a silent, stiff class, but a guided conversation where everyone’s tasting the same lineup.

If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, this format can be a welcome change from museum days. If you’re with friends, it’s still fun because the group size supports shared opinions like which wine worked best with the cheese and charcuterie.

Value Check: Why $79.24 Can Make Sense

Price in Italy can be all over the place, so here’s how I’d judge the value.

You’re getting:

• A professional sommelier explaining grape and region
• 4–5 wine glasses (not just a single taster)
• A substantial pairing board with prosciutto, cheese, and buffalo mozzarella
• Tasting notes you can take home

For me, the biggest “value lever” is the combination. If you do this as just wine with no food or notes, it can feel thin. If you do it as just food, you miss the point of learning how each wine is built. This brings both together inside a manageable time window.

And there’s a bonus that matters if you’re the souvenir type: you can purchase wines after the tasting, and the provider ships worldwide. That means you’re not stuck carrying bottles through airports just to keep your favorite pour.

What If You’re a First-Timer?

Good news: you don’t need a wine background. The session is designed to guide you through each wine, including how it’s made and what to notice.

If you’re brand-new, focus on three things:

1. How the wine feels on your tongue (dryness/tannins, sweetness, acidity)
2. How it changes with the bite (especially with salty cured meat vs creamy cheese)
3. The region clues the sommelier shares, so you can recognize styles later

I’d also come hungry. The experience description and the reviews both point to ample snacks and a real pairing spread. You don’t want to arrive thinking you’ll just nibble.

Who This Como Tasting Is Best For (And Who Might Skip)

This is a great fit if you:

• Want an easy, central plan in Como that doesn’t require a bus or long lines
• Like learning while you eat and drink
• Enjoy meeting other people in a small group (not a crowded party)
• Want tasting notes you can actually use later

You might think twice if:

• You hate any element of uncertainty about how many wines you’ll personally receive (especially if you’re sensitive to table-by-table differences)
• You’re strictly sober-curious and don’t want alcoholic beverages (this experience is centered on tasting wines)

If you’re somewhere in the middle, you can still have a good time—just be proactive about what’s included and whether there are upgrades.

Final Take: Should You Book Taste of Lake Como?

Yes, I’d book it if you want one smart, local-feeling evening that combines guided wine tasting with genuinely Italian bites. It’s the kind of experience that leaves you with two souvenirs: bottles you can ship home, and a clearer idea of what you like and why.

Do it particularly if you’re in Como for a short time and want to use your time well. The central location, the small group size, and the sommelier-led structure make it feel efficient without feeling rushed.

If you love wine but also want control, arrive curious and ask early about the standard set versus the 7-wine upgrade option—so there are no surprises about what’s poured at your table.

FAQ

How long is the Taste of Lake Como wine and cheese experience?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, 22100 Como, Italy.

How many wines will I taste?

The tasting includes 4–5 glasses of wine.

What food is included?

You’ll get an Italian mix board with prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella, served to complement the wines.

Is this tour only in Italian?

No. It’s offered in English.

Is it a small group?

Yes. The experience has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Can I buy wines after the tasting?

Yes. Wines are available for purchase after the experience, with worldwide shipping.

Are tips included?

No. Tips and extra wines after the tasting are not included.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.

Is the activity easy to reach and suited for most people?

It’s near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most travelers can participate.