Few places pair wine with this kind of view.

This exclusive Lake Como wine tasting in Brunate blends three Lombardy wines (sparkling, white, red) with homemade focaccia and a selection of cured meats and cheeses, all staged right in front of the famous overlook above Como. What I like most is the focus: three wines, strong pairings, and a host who ties what you taste to where it comes from. The one drawback is that it depends on good weather, so plan for a possible date change if conditions are poor.

You’ll start in Como at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi and head up by the funicular, a short ride that still feels like a little act of theater before the tastings begin. The overall vibe is intimate because it’s a private activity for your group, led in English by Arianna, who shares plenty of practical context about the area and even offers ideas for exploring Brunate after your tasting.

One more consideration: because alcohol is involved, tastings are served to guests 18+, and the session is scheduled for a specific time (5:00 pm), so it’s best if you can build your day around that slot.

Key things to know before you go

• Brunate views first: the tasting is set in the town with big Como-and-lake sightlines.
• Funicular ride included: you take the Como Brunate funicular as part of the plan.
• Three Lombardy wines: sparkling, white, and red, chosen to reflect local terroir.
• Pairings are not skimpy: homemade focaccia plus cured meats and cheeses from a nearby small farm.
• A real local storyteller: Arianna explains the wines and adds Brunate and Como territory context.
• Weather matters: the experience requires good conditions, with an alternative date or refund if it gets canceled.

Brunate: the perfect setting for wine and views

Brunate is one of those Como-adjacent stops that turns a simple drink into an event. You’re not stuck downtown with traffic noise and menu noise. Instead, the whole experience is designed around the view from above—Como spread below, and the lake doing what it does best.

That matters because wine tasting is partly flavor and partly mood. When you can look out across the water while someone explains why a wine tastes the way it does, the whole thing clicks faster. In this case, the tasting is explicitly tied to the territory of Lombardy, not just poured-and-go.

You’ll also pass one of Brunate’s icons: the Voltiano Lighthouse. Even if you’re not the type who reads signs like a detective, it gives the place a clear identity. It’s a small added detail, but it helps you feel like you’re in the right spot for Lake Como, not just taking a scenic photo.

Your 2-hour plan: simple timing, clear flow

This is a two-hour experience starting at 5:00 pm. You meet at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como CO, Italy, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. That back-to-back routing is helpful if you want something that fits cleanly between dinner plans.

The flow is straightforward:

1) start with the funicular ride up to Brunate,

2) do the tasting in Brunate with food pairings,

3) return back to Como.

The biggest practical benefit of a tight schedule is that you’re not wandering around trying to figure out where the host went. Reviews also suggest the lead-up is handled well—Arianna helps you get oriented and moves you into the short funicular journey quickly.

Funicolare Como Brunate: the 7-minute warm-up

That funicular ride is only about 7 minutes, but it’s a smart opener. You start in Como, then you’re instantly gaining elevation and getting those first Lake Como sightlines. Even before the tasting begins, you’re already in vacation mode.

In practice, a short ride like this does two things for you:

• it reduces the effort compared with a long hike,
• it sets expectations that the best views are coming next.

And because the ride is built into the experience, you don’t need to work out timing on your own. If you’re traveling with limited time, that alone is a quiet value-add.

Brunate tasting time: wines plus real local bites

Once you reach Brunate, the experience shifts from transit to flavor. This isn’t just a tasting flight. You’re guided through three different wines produced in Lombardy—a sparkling wine, a white, and a red—with specific pairings to match each one.

The food setup is part of the design:

• homemade focaccia
• a selection of cured meats and cheeses produced by a small farm not far from Como
• plus additional traditional local food surprises during the pairing

Here’s why this matters. Wine tastes different depending on what you’re eating, and local food tends to be built around local ingredients and methods. When the host pairs a sparkling wine with the right starter vibe, then moves into white and red with heavier or saltier bites, the tasting feels like a progression instead of three random sips.

A major highlight from the feedback is the pairing itself. Multiple experiences describe the food as substantial and delicious, not token portions. That’s exactly what you want for a paid tasting experience—enough food that you’re satisfied afterward, even if you’re not planning a full dinner immediately.

The 3 Lombardy wines: what to listen for as you sip

You’re tasting three wines, all from Lombardy, and the host frames them as expressions of the region’s terroir. You’ll hear the story behind each wine—where the grapes come from, how they’re handled, and what that means for flavor.

You can make your tasting more fun by doing two things while you listen:

• Pay attention to how the sparkling sets the tone. Sparkling wines often show brightness and acidity, which can make cheeses and cured meats feel less heavy.
• Notice how the white changes the texture on your palate. Whites usually bring a different balance—think freshness and lift—so you don’t get stuck in one flavor loop.
• Watch what happens when the red arrives. Red wines tend to be more structured, and pairings with cured meats and cheeses can bring out deeper savory notes.

One more tip: ask the guide which flavor markers you should look for in each wine. Arianna’s role isn’t just pouring. Based on the way she explains wines and the region, she’ll point you toward what to notice, and that’s how you leave remembering the experience rather than forgetting it 20 minutes later.

Arianna’s hosting style: local context without the lecture

This is a private group experience with a single host. Reviews consistently highlight Arianna’s warmth and how well she connects the wine to place. She’s not just reciting facts; she also offers practical advice for discovering the area after the tasting.

That approach is more useful than it sounds. When someone gives you a few grounded suggestions—where to walk, what kind of views are worth your time, how to get the most out of Brunate—you avoid the common Como problem: too many choices, too little time, and end up taking a photo and leaving.

If you like learning while you eat, this will land well. If you prefer quiet tasting with zero talking, you might feel the pace is more guided than free-form. But the overall tone seems friendly, and the group experience helps keep things comfortable.

Price and value: what $150.51 actually buys

At $150.51 per person, this is not a cheap pour. The value comes from what’s bundled into those two hours.

You get:

• the funicular ride included in the flow
• an exclusive/private tasting for your group
• three Lombardy wines (sparkling, white, red)
• homemade focaccia
• a selection of cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como
• additional traditional local food surprises
• guidance in English with context about the wines and the territory

If you compare this to piecing together wine by the glass plus food plus transportation plus a guide, the math starts making more sense. The tasting isn’t just drinks; it’s a structured experience with food pairings designed to work together.

Also, it’s priced for a specific time of day—5:00 pm—when you can combine the tasting with evening plans in Como. That timing can be a value win if you’re trying to avoid planning your own late afternoon route.

Who should book this Brunate tasting (and who might not)

This works best if you:

• want a high-quality wine-and-food experience without spending hours planning,
• like scenic stops that feel like more than a quick photo,
• enjoy guided explanations that connect wine to the region,
• prefer a private group feel.

It might not be your top choice if you want:

• a long walking tour or a full day of sightseeing,
• a super flexible schedule that you can adjust on the fly,
• a tasting with zero talking and minimal pacing.

Practical tips for your best evening in Brunate

A few choices will help you get more enjoyment from the experience:

• Dress for outdoor viewing. Since the tasting is in Brunate and tied to weather, you’ll want to be comfortable outside.
• Bring your appetite. With focaccia and cured meats/cheeses plus pairing surprises, you should leave satisfied. Plan your next meal accordingly.
• If you’re not a big wine drinker, treat it like a food-focused tasting with wine pairings, not a bar crawl. You’ll still get the full pairing experience.
• If you’re heading up specifically for the views, arrive mentally ready for that moment. The funicular ride is quick, so the view payoff is soon after.

One small scheduling note: this kind of experience is often booked ahead, with an average booking window of 36 days. If Brunate is on your Lake Como shortlist, it’s worth locking your slot sooner rather than later.

Should you book the exclusive Brunate wine tasting?

I’d book it if you want a short, well-built Lake Como experience that mixes three Lombardy wines, local food pairings, and a memorable view from Brunate. The private group format and Arianna’s storytelling approach make it feel personal, not generic.

I’d hesitate only if your plans are too weather-dependent or if you’re allergic to the idea of tasting being guided and scheduled rather than spontaneous. Otherwise, it’s one of those evenings that turns a simple holiday step into something you’ll actually talk about later.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Brunate wine tasting?

The experience lasts about 2 hours.

Where do I meet the host for the tour?

You meet at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como CO, Italy.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 5:00 pm.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste three Lombardy wines (sparkling, white, and red) paired with homemade focaccia and a selection of cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como, plus other traditional local food surprises.

Is the experience private and offered in English?

Yes, it’s a private activity for your group, and it’s offered in English.

Do I need to be a certain age to drink the wine?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks are served from age 18.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.