A view from Brunate makes wine taste better. This private, English-led tasting pairs three Lombardy wines (sparkling, white, red) with homemade focaccia and a selection of cured meats and cheeses, all with the Como lake scene as your backdrop. What I like most is how it feels intimate, and how the food and wine pairings are built around the local terroir, not random choices. One thing to plan for, though, is the need for good weather, since the view is part of the point.

I also like that the host experience is structured and easy to follow. You meet in central Como at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, take a funicular up, taste for about two hours, then return to the start point. If you have questions about what makes Lombardy grapes taste like Lombardy, you will have plenty of chances to ask.

Key Highlights You Should Care About

• 7-minute funicular ride up to Brunate, which sets the mood before the first pour.
• Three Lombardy wines matched to local foods: sparkling, white, and red.
• Homemade focaccia plus cured meats and cheeses, including items from a small farm near Como.
• Private group format, so the tasting and questions stay focused on your group.
• A view-first payoff, with Como and even Switzerland visible on clear days.
• Guidance beyond wine, including story time about Brunate and tips for exploring afterward.

Brunate, the View, and Why This Tasting Starts Before the Wine

Brunate is the kind of place where you understand why people plan their Lake Como evenings around a viewpoint. You do not just arrive to eat and drink, you climb first, then let the scenery set the pace. The funicular part matters more than you might think, because it gets you above the street level quickly, with less effort and less stress.

You also start at 5:00 pm, which is smart. Late day light is often when the lake looks its most dramatic, and you can enjoy the view without feeling like you are rushing through the dark. The whole tasting runs about two hours, so it fits cleanly into a Como schedule.

The big trade-off is weather. This activity depends on good conditions, and if it is not working outside, you may get a different date or a full refund. If your trip is tight and the forecast looks shaky, consider booking with a little flexibility.

The Three Wines From Lombardy, and What Each One Is Doing

This tasting is built around three wines produced in Lombardy: a sparkling wine, a white, and a red. That trio is useful because it covers the common wine flavors you will notice across a meal, from bright and celebratory to more textured and food-friendly.

The sparkling is your palate opener. It is the kind of wine that helps with salty, fatty foods, and it usually makes the first bites feel extra lively. If you like wine pairings that feel practical rather than fancy for show, this first glass helps set that tone.

The white is the bridge to the more savory, cheese-forward parts of the tasting. A Lombardy white often brings enough acidity to keep cured meats from feeling heavy. This is exactly the pairing style you want when you also have focaccia in the mix, because bread can absorb flavors quickly.

Then you finish with the red, which is where you can slow down and focus on the difference between sipping and pairing. A good red pairing is not about overpowering everything, it is about matching weight and seasoning. Here, the goal is for your bites to stay interesting from the first course to the last glass.

Food Pairings You Can Actually Look Forward To: Focaccia, Meats, and Cheeses

The menu is not just a few tiny bites. You get homemade focaccia plus a selection of cured meats and cheeses produced by a small farm not far from Como. That is a big deal for value, because it means you are not leaving hungry, and you are not forced to guess how much food will show up.

Focaccia is also the perfect partner for tasting, because it gives you something neutral and comforting that can highlight the differences between each wine. When you have bread on the table, you can take smaller sips and focus on texture, rather than just chasing big flavors.

The cured meats and cheeses add the salty and fatty contrast that good wine pairing needs. These foods tend to reward patience. If you slow down, you will notice how the sparkling lifts the bite early, how the white helps balance saltiness, and how the red pulls the meal together.

You will also get other traditional local food tastings as part of the experience. Since those additional items can vary with the flow of the session, it helps to go in with a curious mindset, not a strict expectations checklist.

Stop 1: The Funicolare Como Brunate Ride (What It Changes for Your Tasting)

The first stop is the Funicolare Como Brunate, and the ride is only about 7 minutes. That short time is useful, because it keeps the experience feeling like a single arc, not two separate plans stitched together. You can arrive without being exhausted, which helps when you are about to taste three wines.

The ride also gives you a moving viewpoint. Even if you do not catch everything at once, the slow elevation change helps the lake view register quickly. It is one of those small details that turns the afternoon from ordinary to memorable.

Practical tip: wear shoes with decent grip. You will be outside in Brunate, and it is easier to enjoy the view when you are not worrying about footing.

Stop 2: Brunate and the Voltiano Lighthouse Area

Your second stop is Brunate itself, right where the Voltiano Lighthouse is located. Having a named landmark like that anchors the walk around and gives the area context beyond just scenic views. Even if you do not plan to spend extra time touring, you will feel like you are in a real place with real identity.

This is also where the tasting happens with the lake in sight. The view is a key part of the payoff, and it is not an afterthought. On clear days, you can even spot Switzerland in the distance, which adds a surprising sense of scale to Lake Como.

The host also shares the story of Brunate, plus advice for discovering the town like a local. That matters because Brunate can feel small and quiet at first glance, and guidance helps you know where to linger and what to ignore.

Private, English-Led, and Built for Questions

This is a private tour/activity, so it is only your group. That single detail changes the whole vibe. You can ask follow-up questions when something clicks, and you do not have to compete with a large crowd for attention.

The tasting is offered in English, which keeps the explanations clear and makes it easier to connect the wine to the region. You will hear how the wines and pairings fit the territory, including the story behind Brunate and how the local foods play with each wine choice.

Alcohol is served to guests aged 18 and older, so the session is structured with that in mind. If you are traveling with a mixed-age group, this is worth noting so you can plan the rest of the evening around who will be drinking.

The Host Touch: How Arianna Turns Wine Into Something You Can Use

Several sessions include Arianna as the host, and her style is the kind that makes wine feel less like a test and more like a conversation. In the sessions described, Arianna gave clear explanations about the wines and their regional context, plus extra suggestions for local activities beyond the tasting.

One especially helpful detail is how she assists with the quick funicular journey. That reduces friction. If you have ever tried to coordinate transit on a hill town, you know how valuable it is to have someone point you to the right place and keep things moving.

A good strategy during the tasting: ask one question per glass. For example, ask what each wine is meant to highlight in the pairing. You will get more value that way than trying to memorize everything at once.

Timing, Meeting Point, and How to Plan Your Evening

You start at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como CO, Italy, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. The start time is 5:00 pm, and the duration is about two hours. That combination is convenient because it keeps you tethered to central Como, with no long transfers required.

Because it ends where it began, you can plan dinner nearby without needing a taxi immediately. If your main goal is to enjoy the lake views later, this timing can work as either a pre-dinner event or an early dinner moment, depending on your appetite.

Booking is another clue about demand. On average, this is booked about 36 days in advance. That suggests you should not wait until the last week if you care about a specific date.

Price and Value: What $150.51 Gets You Here

At $150.51 per person, this tasting is not the cheapest thing you can do in Como. But it does not pretend to be. The value comes from the combination of elements you get in one package.

You are paying for:

• A private, guided tasting in Brunate with an English host.
• Three Lombardy wines paired with food, not just one or two pours.
• Homemade focaccia, plus cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como.
• The funicular ride bundled into the plan, so the timing stays smooth.
• A view-based setting, with the Voltiano Lighthouse area as part of the experience.

When people complain about wine tours, it is usually because they feel overpriced for tiny samples or vague pairings. Here, the food servings are described as substantial, and the pairings are treated as intentional. That is what makes the price feel more justified.

A practical way to judge fit: if you want a structured, guided wine and food moment with a dramatic view, this is a good value. If you only want to taste one wine and snack casually, you might find cheaper options. But for a two-hour guided session that includes real food, it is a solid buy.

Who This Tasting Suits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

This private Brunate tasting is especially good for couples and small groups who want a more personal experience and do not want to stress about logistics. It is also a strong choice if you like food and want pairings that make sense, not random pairings that leave you wondering what you are supposed to taste.

If you are the type who enjoys learning why a region tastes the way it does, the structured wine lineup plus host explanations should click. The same goes if you want ideas for what to do in Brunate afterward.

On the other hand, if you are allergic to alcohol, have strict dietary limits not covered by the provided description, or you hate the idea of being outside in changing weather, you might want to reconsider. The requirement for good weather matters here, since the view and outdoor setting are part of the appeal.

Should You Book This Brunate Wine Tasting?

I would book it if you want a high-quality, guided food and wine session tied to a real place, not just a tasting room with good lighting. The funicular ride, the Brunate setting near the Voltiano Lighthouse, and the specific three-wine Lombardy plan make it feel cohesive. Add homemade focaccia and farm-made cured meats and cheeses, and the session stops being just about the wine.

I would hesitate if your schedule is unforgiving and the forecast looks uncertain, since this needs good weather. If you can be flexible, though, this is the kind of Como activity that turns a late afternoon into a story you keep thinking about.

If you book, plan to arrive a bit early at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi so you can settle in before the funicular. Then treat the tasting like a guided meal: slow down, ask questions, and let the view do its job.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Brunate wine tasting?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como CO, Italy, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 5:00 pm.

How much does it cost per person?

The price is $150.51 per person.

Are tours offered in English?

Yes, the tasting is offered in English.

What wines are included in the tasting?

You taste three wines produced in Lombardy: a sparkling wine, a white wine, and a red wine.

What food is paired with the wines?

You get homemade focaccia, plus a selection of cured meats and cheeses from a small farm not far from Como. You also receive other traditional local food tastings during the experience.

Is there an age limit for alcohol?

Alcoholic drinks are served from age 18.

Is it a private tour?

Yes, it is private, and only your group participates.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.