Lake Como is famous for views, but this adds flavor. In 90 minutes at Capitan Drake, you’ll taste four wines paired with classic prosciutto, cheese, and buffalo mozzarella while a sommelier explains what you’re drinking.

I love how quickly this format gets you thinking like a taster: you get tasting notes to keep, plus pairing guidance that makes each sip make sense. I also like the small-group setup (max 12), which keeps room for questions in a real shop setting, not a lecture hall.

One consideration: pours are set for the session, and if you’re looking for a specific number of wines, you’ll want to ask about any upgrade early. One review described an awkward moment when groups at the same table didn’t receive the exact same set.

Key highlights at a glance

• 4 wines poured and explained with tasting notes you can take home
• Local cheese and charcuterie pairings, including prosciutto crudo and buffalo mozzarella
• English-speaking guide in a small, city-center wine shop
• Learn what to notice in each glass: grapes, regions, and how to serve wine
• Wine purchases ship worldwide after the tasting
• Some groups report a sweet finish like homemade tiramisu and dessert wine

Lake Como Wine Tasting at Capitan Drake: The Simple Plan That Feels Like a Find

This is the kind of experience that fits neatly into a Como day. Instead of chasing one more viewpoint, you slow down in a wine shop in the city center and let someone else handle the hardest part: choosing the right wines and pairing them with local food.

The best part is that the tasting is built for understanding, not just consumption. You’ll taste multiple wines back-to-back, and the sommelier talks through what you’re tasting—how the varietal works, where it comes from, and how to think about flavor pairings. It’s practical learning you can actually use later when you pick a bottle.

Price and Time: Is 1.5 Hours Worth $79?

At $79.24 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes, you’re paying for three things: guided wine selection, food pairing, and a low-stress group experience.

You’re not just getting a single glass. The tasting includes 4–5 glasses of wine, plus a substantial mix board with Italian staples. That matters because pairing is the whole point: the food helps you notice acidity, fruit, salt, fat, and how tannins behave when meat and cheese hit your palate.

There’s also a long tail to the value. If you buy bottles after the session, they can be shipped worldwide. Even if you don’t purchase on the spot, the tasting notes and pairing lessons are something you keep.

What You’ll Do on Arrival: How the Session Flows

The meeting point is at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, 22100 Como. Expect the tasting to start a few minutes after the meeting time, in the shop itself, where the wines are on display and the atmosphere stays casual.

You’ll be seated with a small group. The guide (listed in reviews with names like Sandu, Giuseppe, and Simona) runs the session in English and provides tasting notes during the tasting so you can refresh your memory later at home.

Plan to arrive ready to focus on flavor. This isn’t a quick “sip and leave” stop. One review even noted the host’s friendliness and the amount of wine and food served—so come hungry and don’t pack your schedule too tightly afterward.

The Pairing Board: Prosciutto Crudo, Cheese Selection, and Buffalo Mozzarella

Your food isn’t an afterthought here. The tasting pairs wine with a mix board featuring typical Italian items, including prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella.

Here’s why that pairing format is smart for beginners and enthusiasts alike:

• Prosciutto brings salt and fat, which can smooth the edges of many red wines.
• Cheese gives you a chance to taste how acidity cuts through richness.
• Buffalo mozzarella adds milky softness and a light, fresh character that works well with certain whites and rosés.

You’ll taste the wines and learn what makes each pairing work, so you’re not just eating—you’re training your palate.

Also, there may be small sweet moments. At least one review described getting homemade tiramisu and dessert wine. That kind of finish can make the whole experience feel complete, like a mini meal wrapped around the tastings.

The Wine Selection: What “4 Wines Paired with Local Cheese Charcuterie” Means

The core promise is a four-wine tasting, typically served as four to five glasses. The session focuses on Italian wines (and includes world wines in the shop’s variety), and the guide explains each wine along the way.

The most praised element is the way the sommelier connects the dots:

• what grape varietals bring to the glass
• where those grapes grow (the regions)
• how serving temperature and pairing change your perception

Even reviews that mention being new to wine described the explanations as clear and friendly. That’s exactly what you want in a tasting: you should leave knowing what to listen for next time you order at a restaurant.

And if you’re the kind of person who thinks in “more,” there’s often an option to continue. One note from the operator response explained that there is a Top option that includes 7 wines, with extra cost for the upgrade. If you’re tempted, ask early during the session so you can make the call without feeling rushed.

The Sommelier Teaching Style: Grapes, Aging/Fermenting, and Serving Notes

This is a learning-forward tasting, but it still feels like a fun conversation in a shop. The sommelier’s role is to translate wine into everyday comparisons.

Based on the descriptions you’re likely to get, the guide may cover:

• grape characteristics and why they taste the way they do
• aging/fermenting basics (one review explicitly highlighted explanations of aging and fermenting)
• serving methods so you get the best expression from each bottle
• tasting notes you can take home

That last part matters. Tasting notes help you recreate the logic later when you’re standing in a store staring at labels. Without notes, wine tasting becomes a pleasant blur. With notes, it becomes a skill.

Small Group Energy: Meet People Without Feeling Trapped

With a maximum of 12 travelers, this is sized right for mingling. You get the social side—new conversations with people from different backgrounds—without turning the experience into a crowded event.

Some reviews highlighted groups chatting across Europe and laughing together. That usually happens when the format has natural breaks between pours and when the host invites questions. If you’re traveling solo, this structure can be a comfortable way to meet others without forced games.

If you’re sensitive to noise, you’ll still likely enjoy it. The shop setting feels more intimate than a large tasting room, and the pacing is set for conversation and food service.

Logistics That Matter: Where It Is and How to Get There

It’s in Como’s city center, at Capitan Drake on Via Francesco Benzi. That’s convenient for pairing with the rest of your day—though keep one small caution in mind from a review: Como can be busy on weekends, and taxis might be tricky at certain times.

Practical approach: if you’re planning a Saturday, give yourself a little buffer for getting there and finding the entrance.

Also, you’ll get a mobile ticket, and the tour provides a confirmation at booking time. Service animals are allowed, and the venue is near public transportation. Most people can participate.

What’s Included (and What’s Not): Know Before You Order

Included:

• 4–5 glasses of wine
• Italian snacks on a mix board, including prosciutto crudo, cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella
• tasting notes and guidance from the sommelier
• the tasting itself runs about 90 minutes

Not included:

• tips
• extra wines after the tasting (beyond what’s poured during your session)
• any add-on upgrade

One more useful detail: after the tasting, wines are available for purchase and can be shipped worldwide. If you find a bottle you love, this is your chance to take it home without worrying about packing it yourself.

Who Should Book This Tasting (and Who Might Skip It)

Book this if you:

• want a guided way to learn Italian wine without a long day plan
• like cheese and charcuterie and want pairing lessons that stick
• want a small-group experience in Como city center
• enjoy asking questions and collecting practical tasting notes

Consider another option if you:

• want a perfectly matched “same pours for every chair” experience and don’t want any chance of mismatch within the session
• prefer tastings that are more winery-specific (this is shop-based and tasting-focused)

If you’re on a tight schedule, this still works well. Ninety minutes is short enough to fit between sightseeing blocks.

Should You Book Taste of Lake Como: 4 Wines Paired with Local Cheese Charcuterie?

Yes—if you want a high-reward, low-effort way to understand wine in Como. For the money, you’re getting not just wine, but the pairing logic that makes the tasting memorable. The small group size helps, and the sommelier-led structure (with tasting notes) is what turns it from drinking into learning.

My advice: come hungry, bring your curiosity, and ask about the 7-wine upgrade if you think you might want more than the standard set.

FAQ

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

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll receive alcoholic beverages with 4–5 glasses of wine, plus snacks including prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella.

Where does the experience meet and start?

The meeting point is Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, 22100 Como, Italy.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The experience has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Can I buy wine after the tasting, and is shipping available?

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