Wine in Como can be intimidating. This one makes it friendly, with sommelier-led tastings and a real meal on the side. I especially like the mix of Italian wines plus a few international surprises, and how the pairing of cheeses and cold cuts turns tasting notes into something you can actually remember. One possible drawback: a small number of past bookings mentioned wine served from bottles that had already been opened, so if you’re picky about freshness, choose the higher-end option when you can.

You’re not doing a tour bus thing. You’re walking into a wine shop right near the old city walls area, then spending 1.5 to 2 hours tasting and learning in a small group. The choice between 4 wines or 7 wines helps you match the experience to your mood and your time.

If you like food-wine combos more than lectures, this fits. Just remember it’s not set up for people with food allergies, and it’s not recommended for children under 18.

Key highlights that make this worth your time

• 4 or 7 wines: you pick how deep you go, and the number of glasses changes with the option
• Sommelier guidance in English or Italian: the guide steers you through what to notice, not just what to drink
• Cheese and cured meats pairing: tasting is paired with food you can chew, compare, and enjoy
• Vegetarian dish option: you can swap out the charcuterie-style pairing
• Private tasting option: you can reserve the wine shop for exclusive use

Walking into Enoteca Capitan Drake near Como’s old walls

This experience starts with something practical: you don’t have to figure out a maze of meeting points. You’re looking for the Enoteca Wine shop right on the street, and it sits just a few meters from the old city walls area. That matters because it keeps the first 10 minutes from turning into a mini scavenger hunt.

Once you’re inside, the tone shifts from tourist to student, in a good way. You’re not just handed glasses and left to wing it. The guide also shares the shop’s background and how their wine selection works, so the tasting feels tied to a place, not a generic list of labels.

I like how the setup keeps you close to the action. You’re standing where the wine shop life actually happens, and you’re likely to feel the pace of a small local business. One guide who showed up in past bookings is Sandu. If you get her, that’s a good sign: the style reported was friendly, energetic, and focused on making you understand what you’re tasting without turning it into a college exam.

Before you show up, wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Wine tastings sound calm, but you’ll likely be moving slightly as you sample and get guided to the right spot for each pour. Also bring your ID card, since they accept a copy and it’s required.

Choosing 4 wines or going for 7: what the options really change

This is one of those experiences where the “4 wines vs 7 wines” choice affects your whole experience, not just the math.

With the standard option, you taste 4 fine wines. This is a smart pick if you’re short on time, if you’re still getting your bearings in Como, or if you’d rather savor fewer selections slowly. Four wines can be enough to spot patterns: acidity, sweetness, tannins, and how food pairing changes what you perceive.

If you choose the top option, you’re tasting 7 wines. Seven is for people who want a bigger sweep across grape varieties and territories. The tasting is representative of unique vines and places, so you’ll get more contrast and more chances to compare how different regions and styles behave. It also tends to make the event feel more like a mini journey through Italian wine culture and beyond, not just a sampler platter.

One more detail that affects your day: your option determines how many wine glasses you’ll get. So if you’re planning a night out, think about what you want after the tasting. Seven pours means you’ll likely feel it more than four. I’d still do it, but I’d plan your next stop with a lighter schedule.

And if you’re the type who hates feeling rushed, the higher-end options often deliver a more relaxed pacing. One more reason: there’s also a private tasting option that takes the same format and makes it exclusive, which can feel calmer and more tailored.

What the sommelier actually does during the tastings

A good tasting guide doesn’t just announce what’s in your glass. They help you notice what matters.

Here, your sommelier walks you through each wine during the tasting portion. That includes insights into what you’re smelling and tasting, plus how to think about the wine’s character. The goal is to help you understand why a wine tastes the way it does, not just label it.

In practice, that means you’re guided to compare wines in a structured way: you’ll taste, pause, and then move on. That order matters because your palate resets slowly. I like that the format gives you enough structure to make comparisons without needing a wine dictionary.

You’ll also learn about the history of the wine shop and its selection, which gives context to the choices you’re making. And you’re tasting wines from Italy, with options that include wines from around the world too, so you can understand how Italian styles fit into the broader global scene.

If you want to feel more in control, you can use the guide’s prompts as a checklist. Focus on a few consistent questions each time:

• How does it start: fresh and sharp, or softer?
• Does it finish dry or more rounded?
• How does the food change it?

That last part is huge. A wine can taste one way alone and another way with cheese or cured meats. This format builds that comparison into the experience.

The pairing: cold cuts and cheeses (or vegetarian) that make the wines click

The food pairing is not an afterthought here. It’s central.

You’ll be served a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, paired with the wines you taste. This matters because those flavors are built for comparison. Fatty cheeses can soften harsher tannins. Salty cured meats can lift fruit and sharpen acidity. That means the pairing doesn’t just fill you up, it teaches your palate what the wine can do.

You get to choose between the meat-and-cheese pairing and a vegetarian dish option (available upon request). I like that they offer vegetarian without making it an awkward compromise. If you’re vegetarian, you don’t have to sit out the pairing part while everyone else has food.

There’s also a practical advantage: with food on board, you can stay engaged longer. Wine tastings are often short and a bit floaty. Here, the platter keeps you anchored and gives you a reason to slow down between pours.

And yes, portions are described as generous in past experiences. Even if you don’t eat huge quantities during your trip, that can help you avoid the worst-case scenario: tasting a lot of wine on an empty stomach and ending the night tired instead of satisfied.

One thing to note: this isn’t designed for people with food allergies. If that applies to you, it’s safer to skip this activity. If you’re unsure, you’ll want to clarify in advance because the data explicitly lists allergies as not suitable.

Private top tasting: what changes when you reserve the shop

If you want an experience that feels more like yours, choose the private tasting option. It allows exclusive use of the wine shop, which changes the vibe fast.

In a standard small group, you’ll taste while sharing the moment with other people. That can be fun, especially if you enjoy quick conversation while you compare wines. But private tasting is better if you want quieter attention, more space to ask questions, or you’re celebrating something and want control of the pacing.

It also helps if you’re the kind of traveler who learns best when you can focus without distractions. Because you’re dealing with scent, texture, and flavor differences, a little calm makes a difference.

For picky wine people, private tasting can also be the safer bet for quality expectations. One complaint reported that wine was poured from bottles previously opened. If that would bother you, private tasting or the top option is the direction I’d lean toward.

If you’re going with friends or as a couple, private can also feel like better value than you’d assume. You’re paying for attention and exclusivity, not just extra bottles.

Price in perspective: is $59 good value for Como wine and food?

Let’s talk money, since it’s listed at $59 per person and the duration is 1.5 to 2 hours.

On the surface, it’s a single price for a specific block of time and a defined set of wines. But the real value depends on what’s included.

Here’s what you get for your money:

• An expert sommelier guide
• Tasting of 4 or 7 fine wines, depending on your chosen option
• A pairing with cured meats and cheeses, or a vegetarian dish
• The chance to reserve the wine shop for private use (if you choose that option)

That combo is what makes the value hold up. You’re not paying only for alcohol. You’re paying for the guided tasting structure plus the food pairing that helps you taste better, faster, and more confidently. If you’ve ever taken a self-guided approach and felt lost staring at menus, you’ll appreciate the guidance more than you expect.

Transportation isn’t included. So if you’re far from the old city walls area, factor in how you’ll get there. But once you’re there, you’re not buying extras in the middle of your plan. The experience includes the food pairing and the wines tied to the tasting format.

Would I call it a bargain? No. But for a Como activity that includes guided wine learning plus food pairing in 1.5 to 2 hours, it’s priced like an experience, not just a drink stop.

Who this Como tasting suits best (and who should skip it)

This works best if you fall into one of these categories:

• You want to learn without taking a class
• You enjoy pairing food with wine, especially cheese and cured meats
• You like small groups and a relaxed pace over a big production
• You’re in Como for a short window and want a high-impact activity

It also makes sense for wine-curious travelers who don’t know where to start. The sommelier structure helps you taste with confidence, even if you’ve never bought wine before.

Who should skip it:

• People with food allergies, since the activity is not suitable
• Pregnant women, since it’s listed as not suitable
• Children under 18, since the activity isn’t for that age group

If you’re traveling solo, you’ll likely be fine since it’s described as small group available. If you’re traveling as a pair, private tasting is a strong match.

The practical way to get more out of your tasting

You don’t need to study wine. You just need a light plan.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Start with the first wine and note two things: acidity (fresh vs soft) and finish (dry vs lingering). Then compare each next one to that baseline.
• Eat the cheese and cold cuts between pours, not right after you finish a wine. That helps you feel how pairing changes the same glass.
• If you care a lot about freshness, pick the top option or go private.
• Bring comfortable shoes. You’re tasting and moving just enough that blisters would be silly.

And if English helps you feel relaxed, you’ll have support since the host or greeter speaks English and Italian. So even if you want to ask questions, you won’t feel stuck.

Also, keep the rest of your night simple. This is a food-and-wine experience, so plan something low-stress after.

Should you book this Como wine-and-food tasting?

I’d book it if you want a structured, small-group wine experience in Como that includes real food pairing and an actual guide. The combination of 4 or 7 wines plus cheeses and cold cuts (or a vegetarian dish) is the whole point, and it’s what makes the time feel worth it.

Choose the standard tasting if you want a shorter, less alcohol-heavy experience and you’re new to tasting. Choose the 7-wine top option if you want more variety across grape varieties and territories. Choose private if you want exclusivity, quieter attention, and a better chance at a more careful, personalized setup.

Skip it if you have food allergies, if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t fit the listed suitability rules, or if you only want a quick drink with no instruction at all. This experience is built for tasting and learning, not for casual skipping.

If that sounds like your style, you’ll likely leave happy, more confident about what you like, and ready to order a bottle in Como without second-guessing your palate.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tasting?

You meet at the Enoteca Wine shop right on the street in Como.

How many wines will I taste?

You taste either 4 or 7 wines, depending on the option you choose.

What food is included with the wine tasting?

The tasting includes pairing with cured meats and cheeses, or you can request a vegetarian dish option.

Is there a private tasting option?

Yes. You can reserve the wine shop for a private tasting, which allows exclusive use.

How long does the wine tasting last?

It lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours.

What languages are available for the host or guide?

The host or greeter and guide are available in English and Italian.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.