Brunate turns a wine tasting into a view-first afternoon. After a quick funicular ride, you’re in a hilltop town where the Como panorama sets the mood before the first sip.

What I like most is the private, intimate feel: it’s just your group, and the host can tailor the pacing and explanations. Another big win is the structure of the tasting itself—three Lombardy wines (sparkling, white, red) matched with substantial local food, not tiny samples.

One thing to consider: this experience depends on good weather. If the sky is gray, the view can be less dramatic, and the operator may move your date or offer a refund.

Key points at a glance

• Funicular up to Brunate: a short ride that gets you to the viewpoint fast
• Three Lombardy wines: sparkling, white, and red, matched to food as you go
• Local farm foods: homemade focaccia plus cured meats and cheeses from near Como
• Volta-style landmark scenery: you’ll be in Brunate with the Voltiano Lighthouse area nearby
• Host-led storytelling: history of Brunate and practical wine-region context in English
• Private group format: only your group participates, so you won’t be squeezed into a crowd

Why Brunate makes this wine tasting feel special

Brunate is a small name that carries big scenery. Once you’re up the hill, Como looks like a living map. Roads, rooftops, and water spread out below, and the air feels different at elevation.

That matters for wine. Wine tastings can be educational, sure. But this one uses the landscape to set the tempo: you’re not stuck inside a room trying to imagine what the wine’s place in the world is. You’re already in the territory.

The format also keeps it grounded. You’re not doing a long, wandering tour. It’s a compact 2-hour plan built around one goal: wine plus local bites with a first-class view.

Price and value for a private 2-hour tasting in Como

At $150.51 per person for about 2 hours, it’s not a budget activity. But the math can work if you care about three things:

• Private time: only your group participates, so you get interaction instead of watching from the edges.
• Multiple wines: you’re tasting three wines from Lombardy, and they’re served with pairings.
• Food isn’t an afterthought: the pairing includes homemade focaccia and a selection of cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como, plus other traditional bites.

If you’ve ever paid for tastings where you get a sip and move on, this is the opposite. The food element is described as substantial, and the pairings are treated like part of the lesson—what you taste and what you eat are connected.

Also, you’ll usually want to book early. The typical booking window is around 36 days in advance, so plan ahead if you’re traveling in peak season.

Meeting at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi: your start point and timing

Your tour kicks off at 5:00 pm at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como CO, Italy and returns you back to the same spot. That timing is practical. Late afternoon often gives you softer light for the view without the late-night crunch.

Two small things to keep in mind:

• Arrive a bit early so the funicular ride doesn’t add stress.
• Since alcohol is served from age 18, make sure everyone in your group is clear on that if you’re traveling with younger adults.

The experience uses a mobile ticket, so you’ll want your phone charged. Confirmation comes at booking, which helps you plan without endless back-and-forth.

The funicular ride to Brunate: the quick way to get the payoff

The itinerary moves from Como to Brunate via the funicolare (funicular). The ride itself is just about 7 minutes—short enough that you don’t waste the best part of your afternoon.

But it’s not just transportation. The funicular ride is your warm-up. You’re transitioning from the lake city rhythm to the hilltop viewpoint. That shift changes what you’ll notice next: rooftops, terraces, and the lake’s geometry.

If you’ve got even a mild weather break, you’ll likely appreciate the openness from up here. In one note from recent experiences, people mentioned views reaching as far as Switzerland’s direction on clear days. Don’t count on it every time, but it’s the kind of sight Brunate can deliver when the sky cooperates.

Brunate and the Voltiano Lighthouse area: what you’re really seeing

Brunate isn’t just a stop on a tasting itinerary—it’s a place with identity. The tasting takes place in the town with breathtaking views of Como and the lake. The experience also flags the Voltiano Lighthouse, a symbol associated with this area.

Why that matters for you: landmarks like this give the view meaning. Instead of just looking at water and hills, you connect the landscape to a specific point in Brunate. It makes photos better too, because you’re not just capturing a blur of scenery. You’re capturing a named place.

Your host also covers the story of Brunate, which helps the afternoon feel less like a scripted meal and more like you’re learning where you are.

The tasting itself: three Lombardy wines, paced for real conversation

Here’s the heart of the experience: you’ll taste three different Lombardy wines—a sparkling wine, a white, and a red. The idea is simple: each wine represents the character of the region, and each one pairs with a specific set of local foods.

What I like about this structure is the balance. Sparkling wines often highlight freshness and cut through food. Whites can bring out herbs and dairy notes. Reds—especially in a regional tasting—tend to show you how grapes handle local growing conditions.

And pace matters. This is a private format, so you’re not being marched through a checklist. The host can slow down for questions and keep explanations tied to what’s on your plate.

Recent comments also praised the host’s approach: wine talk is connected to practice, including how grapes are planted, harvested, and bottled. That kind of explanation makes the tasting feel more like a guided lesson than a sales pitch.

Pairings you can expect: focaccia, cured meats, and local cheese

This tasting doesn’t treat food like garnish. You’ll get:

• Homemade focaccia
• A fine selection of cured meats and cheeses
• Plus other traditional local food surprises

The cured meats and cheese come from a small farm not far from Como, which is exactly the sort of detail that raises the experience. When food is sourced locally (or close to it), the flavors make more sense alongside the wines. You don’t end up with mismatched tastes that feel generic.

Also, focaccia is a smart pairing choice. It’s bread, yes, but it also brings texture and salt, so it can help you notice how each wine handles food.

One practical benefit: because the tastings include multiple pairings and aren’t described as tiny, it can tide you over for the evening. Still, don’t assume it replaces a full dinner if you have a big appetite.

What your host adds: Brunate stories and wine-region advice

The host is a major part of why this experience earns top marks. One guide named in recent feedback is Arianna. People highlighted her as warm, highly informed, and generous with extra regional context.

In real terms, that means you’re more likely to leave with:

• Clear explanations of the wines you tried
• A sense of how Brunate and the Lake Como area fit into the wider story
• Practical suggestions for what to do next on your own

That last piece is often overlooked. A great tasting isn’t just about what’s in front of you. It’s about what you take away—how to spot good wine ideas, which neighborhoods to prioritize, and what kind of day plan makes sense once you’re back down in Como.

Weather and comfort: the one variable you should plan around

Good weather is a stated requirement. That doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck indoors. It means the experience is built around the viewpoint, and if skies are poor, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.

So what should you do?

• Check the forecast on the day if you can.
• Pack a light layer. Even with a nice forecast, hills and evenings can feel cooler than Como’s waterfront.

If the weather is good, the payoff is bigger: Brunate’s view is the kind of thing that lingers after you’ve finished the last sip.

Logistics that keep things smooth: private group + funicular flow

A few details help this tour run without friction:

• Private experience: only your group participates
• Near public transportation: you’re not battling a remote pickup point
• Near a set meeting location: Piazza Alcide de Gasperi gives you a reliable anchor
• Quick funicular transition: you’re not spending half your time commuting

Private format also changes the vibe. You can ask questions without worrying about whether you’re slowing the group down. And because the tasting is designed around the host’s storytelling, it tends to feel more like a shared afternoon than a clockwork tour.

Who this is best for (and who should skip it)

This is a strong match if you want:

• A view plus wine and food, not one or the other
• A guided explanation in English
• A compact plan that fits an evening (starting at 5:00 pm)
• A private-group feel where you can actually talk

You might skip it if you hate any form of weather dependency or you prefer a longer itinerary with more walking. This experience is designed to be efficient and scenic, not slow and sprawling.

It also fits couples, friend groups, and small families (with the alcohol note for ages 18+). Service animals are allowed, which is useful if you travel with one.

Should you book this wine tasting in Brunate?

Book it if you’re the type of traveler who cares about pairings and wants the “why” behind the wine. The private format, the three-wine structure, and the local food component make it feel like good value for a paid tasting—especially in a place where the views would otherwise be the only highlight.

Think twice if you’re traveling with very tight timing or you’re committed to a schedule that can’t flex. Since the experience requires good weather, you’ll want at least a little wiggle room.

If your goal is an afternoon that’s part education, part local food, and part Como skyline from above, this one makes a lot of sense.

FAQ

How long is the Brunate wine tasting?

The experience lasts about 2 hours.

Where do we meet, and when does it start?

You meet at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como CO, Italy at 5:00 pm. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What wines are included?

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

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.