Top Lake Como Wine & Food Tasting: 7 Wines Meat & Cheese or Veg.

The most interesting part of this Como experience is its range. In about two hours, you can move from sparkling wine and white varieties to rosé, three substantial reds, and a sweet red served with chocolate. Ricardo and Sandu guide the tasting at Capitan Drake, a family-run wine shop near Como’s center.

I like the personal format, where the sommelier adjusts some selections to your taste rather than reading a fixed script. I also like the generous food board, with cured meats, cheeses, olives, vegetables, bread, and other Italian bites. The main caution is the price: at $180.22 per person, this is a serious splurge for a short tasting, and seven glasses may be more wine than some people want in one sitting.

Key points at a glance

• Seven wines in one sitting: Expect sparkling wine, white, rosé, several reds, and a sweet red with chocolate.
• A real teaching session: Ricardo or Sandu explains the wine, producer, region, glassware, and tasting notes.
• Choice of food board: Select meat and cheese, or ask for vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.
• Central Como setting: Capitan Drake is convenient for fitting into a day of sightseeing, though some may find it slightly out of the way.
• Private booking format: Only your group participates, but the tasting can also feel social when people are seated together.
• Good for rainy weather: It gives you a comfortable indoor activity when Lake Como sightseeing loses its charm.

What happens at Capitan Drake in Como

You meet at Capitan Drake, at Via Francesco Benzi 19 in Como. The activity ends at the same address, so there is no transport to arrange and no second location to find after the tasting.

The tasting begins a few minutes after the meeting time. That small delay is normal here because the host is setting out the glasses and food. You may see a row of different glasses in front of you, since each style of wine is served in the shape that best suits it. If you enjoy the mechanics of tasting, ask why each glass was chosen.

This is held in a wine shop with a broad selection of Italian and international bottles. That matters because the tasting is not limited to one local label or one famous area. You get a wider view of Italian wine, with the chance to compare styles from different parts of the country.

The setting is practical rather than grand. You are not touring a vineyard or walking through a cellar. You are sitting down, tasting, asking questions, and eating. For me, that makes this a useful option in Como itself, especially when you want a break from ferry rides, churches, and lake views.

Seven glasses, from sparkling wine to sweet red

The standard format features seven wines, chosen from a wide selection according to your preferences. The planned progression includes sparkling wine, white, rosé, three top reds, and a sweet red served with chocolate.

The opening wine may be an Italian sparkling wine such as Franciacorta. It is described in the tasting material as an elegant, Champagne-style sparkling wine. This is a good start because it gives you a chance to compare Italian sparkling wine with the French model many people already know.

The middle of the tasting can include white and rosé wines. These styles offer a break from the heavier reds, and they help show how much variety exists beyond the big-name wines most visitors associate with Italy.

The red portion is usually the main event. The tasting can include powerful bottles such as Amarone from Ca’ Coato and Sagrantino di Montefalco from Arnaldo Caprai. Those are not gentle, anonymous table wines. They can be full-bodied and tannic, with a very different feel from soft, easy-drinking reds.

The final wine may be a Recioto della Valpolicella or another sweet red paired with dark chocolate. That closing combination gives the tasting a proper ending rather than simply stopping after the seventh pour.

The exact bottles are not fixed. This is important. If you prefer red wine, you can ask for more reds. If you want to understand Italian whites or sparkling wines, say so at the beginning. The sommelier tries to shape the selection around your taste and curiosity.

One practical note: the experience is advertised as seven wines, but individual tastings have sometimes included about eight pours. Do not count on an extra glass, but be prepared for the possibility that the session may run longer than two hours if conversation and tasting take their own pace.

Ricardo, Sandu, and the value of guided explanation

The hosts are one of the strongest reasons to book this rather than simply ordering wine at a bar. Ricardo is described as a sommelier and host, while Sandu has also led tastings. Both are presented as warm, engaged, and comfortable explaining wine to people with different levels of experience.

You do not need to know the difference between a DOC and a DOCG, or to recognize tannin on your own. The guide explains the wines in plain terms, including their producers, regions, tasting notes, and how they compare with one another.

I would use this time to ask direct questions. Which bottle is best with food? Which one is a good gift? What should you order in a restaurant? Which wines are unusual outside Italy? The format leaves room for that kind of conversation.

The teaching is more useful than a list of tasting adjectives. You learn why one wine feels smooth while another feels firm, why sparkling wine needs a particular glass, and why a full-bodied red may need food. If you are curious, this can become a small lesson in Italian wine regions rather than seven isolated samples.

The mood is informal. Solo visitors can speak with other people at the table, and couples or families can keep the experience to themselves. The activity is described as private, meaning only your booking group participates, although the seating arrangement may still feel social depending on how the tasting is organized.

The food board is closer to a light meal

The food is more substantial than a few nuts and crackers. The standard board can include prosciutto crudo, salami, bresaola, cheeses with compote, porcini, anchovies, buffalo mozzarella, olives, bread, rye bread, and taralli.

That spread matters because seven wines on an empty stomach would be a poor plan. The meat and cheese help you understand how food changes the taste of a wine, especially with stronger reds. The sweet wine and chocolate pairing gives you another clear example of matching intensity and sweetness.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and the selection can include local vegetables such as puntarelle and Taggiasca olives. A vegetarian option is not just an afterthought here, but you should state your preference when booking or at the start of the tasting so the board can suit you.

The portion sounds substantial enough to count as a light meal, though I would not book this as a replacement for a full dinner if you are especially hungry. It is best thought of as an ample aperitivo with serious wine instruction.

How the tasting fits into a Como day

The two-hour length makes this easy to place between sightseeing plans. You can use it as a late afternoon activity, a rainy-day backup, or an evening before dinner.

Capitan Drake is in Como and described as within walking distance of the city center. Some people may still find it a little out of the way, so check your walking route before setting off. The address is Via Francesco Benzi 19, and the activity returns you there at the end.

There is no private transportation included. That is not a major issue for a city-center tasting, but it means you should allow time to reach the shop on foot or by public transport. The location is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Because the tasting involves alcohol, I would not plan a long drive afterward. Como is easy to explore on foot, and this experience works best when the rest of your day does not require you to operate a car.

The session can also last longer than the advertised two hours. One tasting ran from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with extended conversation and a relaxed pace. If you have a ferry, restaurant reservation, or train to catch, leave a generous buffer.

Is $180.22 per person fair?

At $180.22 per person, this is not a bargain wine tasting. You are paying for seven selected wines, a sommelier-led explanation, a generous food board, and the convenience of a central Como location.

The price makes more sense if you value the bottles themselves and the instruction. The tasting includes high-end styles such as Amarone and Sagrantino, and the food goes well beyond a token snack. You are also tasting wines from independent producers and a broad range of Italian regions rather than receiving the same basic pour seven times.

It makes less sense if you simply want one glass of local wine and a plate of cheese. Como has cheaper aperitivo options, and the short duration may feel expensive if you do not care about learning how wine is made or comparing styles.

There is also a useful benefit for serious wine shoppers. The shop sells bottles, and several people have chosen wines to ship home after tasting them. One couple even found a rare Champagne they had been searching for. You should confirm shipping arrangements and costs directly with Capitan Drake, since those details are not part of the activity price.

For a wine enthusiast, the ability to taste before buying can protect you from an expensive mistake. For a casual drinker, the same selection may feel like too much.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this experience to wine drinkers who want context, not just alcohol. It suits couples, families with adult children, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy sitting down for a long conversation.

It is also a strong choice for a rainy day. You get shelter, food, and a structured activity without giving up your chance to see Italian regional products.

The tasting suits beginners because the sommelier explains the basics without requiring previous knowledge. It also suits experienced drinkers because you can ask for particular regions, styles, or producers.

Vegetarians can participate, and solo visitors may find the setting welcoming. The meal board and flexible wine choices make it easier to adapt the session to different tastes.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who dislikes full-bodied reds, cannot comfortably drink seven pours, or expects a vineyard visit. The activity takes place in a wine shop in Como, not among vines, and much of its value comes from the conversation.

Small details that improve the experience

Tell the host what you already like before the first pour. If you usually drink light whites, do not let the tasting become an accidental parade of heavy reds. If you love powerful wines, ask for more bottles in that style.

Eat a little beforehand, even though the board is generous. The food helps, but seven wines can still catch up with you, especially when the tasting includes Amarone, Sagrantino, and sweet wine.

Ask about the producers. The strongest part of this experience is the link between bottle and place. You can learn which wineries are independent, which regions produce certain styles, and which bottles are worth seeking out later.

Bring a plan for getting back to your accommodation. There is no private transport, and the activity may last longer than two hours when the group is engaged.

The booking has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep that deadline in mind when arranging your Como schedule.

Should you book this Como wine tasting?

Book it if you want a serious tasting with food, personal guidance, and enough variety to reveal how broad Italian wine can be. The best parts are the flexible selection, the strong red wines, the sweet final pairing, and the friendly teaching style from Ricardo or Sandu.

Skip it if you want a cheap aperitivo, a vineyard tour, or only one or two glasses. Seven wines and a $180.22 price tag ask for a real interest in wine.

For the right person, Capitan Drake offers a useful pause in Como: comfortable, social, and focused on bottles you may not encounter elsewhere. Just arrive with an open mind, a little time, and a plan for the walk home.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting take place?

It takes place at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, 22100 Como, Italy.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours. Some sessions can last longer when conversation and tasting proceed at a relaxed pace.

How many wines are included?

Seven wines are included. The selection can cover sparkling, white, rosé, red, and sweet red wines.

Can I choose which wines I taste?

The wines can be selected according to your preferences from a wide range available at the shop. Tell the sommelier what styles or regions interest you.

Who leads the tasting?

The tasting may be led by Ricardo or Sandu, both associated with the Capitan Drake wine experience.

What food is served?

The food can include Italian cured meats, cheeses, prosciutto, bresaola, buffalo mozzarella, olives, vegetables, bread, taralli, porcini, anchovies, and compote.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan-friendly selections are available, including vegetables and olives. State your preference when arranging the tasting.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. The activity begins and ends at Capitan Drake, which is near public transportation and within walking distance of central Como.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.