Como turns wine into a real lesson.

I like that a professional sommelier walks you through each varietal and gives you tasting notes you can use later. I also love the food setup: a cheese-and-charcuterie style mix that includes prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella, so you taste the wine with the right salty, creamy bites. One thing to watch: if your group goes for an upgrade with more pours, your table experience can feel a little off unless you choose that same option.

You’ll start at Capitan Drake in the city center, then settle in for about 1.5 hours of tasting and pairing. It is a small group (up to 12), offered in English with a mobile ticket, and the host keeps the pace friendly—enough structure to learn, not so formal that you feel stiff.

Key highlights at a glance

• 4 wines plus 4–5 glasses total with tasting notes for each pour
• Sommelier-led pairing with prosciutto crudo, cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella
• Small group feel (max 12) so you can actually ask questions
• Como city-center venue at Capitan Drake, easy to reach with public transit
• Wine shipping after the tasting if you fall in love with a bottle
• Sweet bonus might appear based on past experiences, like tiramisu and dessert wine

Why this Como wine tasting feels worth your time

If you want an activity that fits cleanly into a day in Como, this one works. The schedule is short—around 90 minutes—so you get a proper tasting without sacrificing your time on the lake or the historic lanes. And because it is designed around pairing, you are not just sipping. You are learning how to taste.

The setting also matters. Capitan Drake is the kind of wine bar environment where you can hear the explanations, focus on the glasses in front of you, and still feel like part of a group instead of a spectator. You will be seated with others, and that small-group size tends to keep the conversation lively, especially if you are new to wine.

The other big reason I like this format is practical learning. You get tasting notes to take with you, and the host talks about things that actually help you remember what you liked—like the grape type, where it comes from, and why it pairs well with the food on your board.

Capitan Drake in Como: the meeting point and the vibe

You meet at Capitan Drake on Via Francesco Benzi, 19, in Como’s city center. That location is handy because you are not planning a long hop out of town just to taste wine. You also end back at the same meeting point, which keeps things simple if you want to continue exploring right after.

The tasting start time is flexible in a small way: it begins a few minutes after the meeting time. That is normal for shop-based tastings—people need a minute to gather, settle, and get the right setup out on tables.

What I’d consider when you plan your arrival: Como can feel crowded on weekends. If you are depending on taxis, try not to arrive right at the last second. Give yourself breathing room so you can walk in relaxed, grab your spot, and start tasting when the group does.

The sommelier-led flow: how the tasting actually works

This experience is built around a guided tasting, not a casual pour-and-go. A sommelier explains each wine as you go, and the pace is designed so the descriptions connect directly to what you are tasting in the glass. You get tasting notes for each wine, so the explanations are not just spoken words that vanish ten minutes later.

Here is what you can expect as the group moves through the glasses:

• You will taste multiple wines (the format is described as 4 wines, and included options note 4–5 glasses).
• For each wine, the host covers key details like varietal and origin, plus helpful notes that make the flavors make sense.
• You will pair each wine with bites from the food board, so you learn what changes when wine meets salt, fat, and texture.

One detail I really like for first-timers: the host does not just say what to taste. You are guided on how to think about it—what the wine is doing, where it comes from, and what to look for when you take another sip with food.

What you taste: Italian varieties plus world picks

The wines here are not limited to one style. You can expect a mix that includes Italian options and also world wines available in the shop. That blend is useful because it helps you compare styles without leaving the Como tasting room.

The key thing is how the host frames the wines. Instead of treating each bottle like an isolated event, the explanation connects the wine to its grape and regional context. Even if you do not know much about wine going in, the tasting notes help you build a quick mental map: what you like, why you might like it, and what you can search for later at home.

The 4-wine promise (and the possible extra pours)

The experience is described as 4 wines paired with local cheese charcuterie. At the same time, the included notes say you’ll enjoy 4–5 glasses of wine. So in real life, you might taste 4 wines, and you may get an extra pour depending on how the session is running.

There is also an upgrade option that includes 7 wines. If your group selects that higher tier, the tasting continues with additional pours for those who opt in. This is worth asking about at the start so there are no surprises about what you are served at your table.

A couple of past experiences also mention a sweet moment—homemade tiramisu and a dessert wine—so you might get a closing treat. I would treat that as a bonus rather than a guarantee, but it is clearly been part of some tastings.

The food pairing: prosciutto crudo, cheese selection, buffalo mozzarella

This is where the tasting turns from theory into something you can actually enjoy. You are not tasting wine alone—you get a mix board that includes:

• prosciutto crudo
• a cheese selection
• buffalo mozzarella

And it is supported by typical Italian snacks served to complement the wine.

Why that matters: pairing works best when the food has strong, clear characteristics. Prosciutto brings salt and a savory depth. Cheese adds fat and creaminess, which can soften sharper wines. Buffalo mozzarella adds a fresh, milky texture that can brighten the next sip.

If you come hungry, good. The format is designed so the food is part of the tasting, not just a small garnish. And if you are the type who wants to learn by tasting, the board makes the lesson stick fast because you can taste the difference with each pairing.

A quick tip for getting more out of the pairing

Take one bite, then sip. Do not rush. Give each pairing a few seconds. The host will likely describe food pairings as you go, but your own “taste memory” comes from slow switching between bite and sip.

Timing: what happens during the 90 minutes

This is not a long evening, so the pacing is deliberate. You meet, then you start tasting shortly after. From there, the session flows through multiple wine pours with explanations and tasting notes, while the food board gets used as the anchor for each pairing.

Because the group is small, you can usually ask questions. That matters because wine tastings can be awkward if you feel stuck. Here, the host can respond to the group pace, not just deliver a one-way talk.

Plan to stay engaged right to the end. Some experiences run longer if people want to keep talking, and one of the recurring themes is that the staff is welcoming and lets you linger rather than rushing you out immediately. Even so, keep your next plan realistic—this is meant to be the focus for about 1.5 hours.

Value for $79.24: what you’re really paying for

$79.24 is not a bargain price, but it is also not a luxury splurge when you break down what you get. You are paying for:

• a guided sommelier-led tasting
• multiple wine pours (4 wines and about 4–5 glasses total, depending on session flow)
• included alcohol
• an actual food pairing board with prosciutto, cheese, and buffalo mozzarella
• tasting notes you can take home
• a small-group format (max 12)

If you compare that to a wine bar experience where you pay for each glass separately, the math often favors this tasting. You are buying structure: the host’s explanations and the pairing logic. That is the part that turns it from drinking into a useful experience.

Also, there is potential extra value: you can purchase wines after the tasting, with worldwide shipping. If you find a bottle you truly want to take home, you can avoid the hassle of carrying fragile glass through travel days.

Upsell and group matching: the one wrinkle to plan for

The biggest consideration here is about the tasting tier. The session can include different numbers of pours depending on what the group chooses, and there is an upgrade option that can extend the tasting to 7 wines.

If you want the full multi-wine experience, ask early whether you are on the standard tasting or the higher-tier tasting. This helps you align your expectations with what you will be served.

And if you prefer a simple four-wine session, you can still have a great time—just confirm you are set for the right option. It is easy to get clarity at the start, and it keeps the whole table experience comfortable.

Who this tasting is best for

This works especially well if:

• you want a guided tasting instead of a self-guided wine bar stop
• you like pairing food and wine, not just sipping
• you are new to wine and want explanations you can repeat at home
• you want a social setting where you can talk with other people without a big crowd

It is also a strong choice for couples and small families who want an easy, centralized activity in Como. The format is short enough to fit a travel day, and the small-group size helps the host manage questions.

If you are a serious wine collector who only wants rare, high-end bottles, you might find this more educational and approachable than technical. But the upside is that it teaches you how to taste for yourself, which is the skill that actually travels.

After the tasting: buying wine and shipping it home

One practical win: wines are available for purchase after the experience, with worldwide shipping. That means you can turn the tasting into a real souvenir without buying duty-free and hoping it survives your carry-on.

If you end up loving one or two bottles, take notes (you get tasting notes for a reason). Then you can match what you liked to what you want to reorder later. It is a smart way to make the tasting feel lasting, not temporary.

Should you book Taste of Lake Como: 4 Wines Paired with Local Cheese Charcuterie?

Book it if you want an easy Como activity with real guidance, good food, and a friendly small-group setup. The sommelier format plus tasting notes is the reason this can be more than a one-time sip—by the end, you can remember what you liked and why.

I’d especially recommend it if you’re short on time in Como. Ninety minutes is the sweet spot: enough time to taste and learn, not enough time to derail the rest of your day.

Skip or reconsider only if you hate group logistics and you are very sensitive to a situation where some people might be doing an upgrade. If that is you, just confirm your tasting tier at the start. Once you’re aligned, this is a solid value.

FAQ

Where do we meet for the tasting?

You meet at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi, 19, 22100 Como CO, Italy.

How long is the wine tasting experience?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

How much does it cost?

The price is $79.24 per person.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

How many wines will I taste?

The experience is described as 4 wines, and the included tasting mentions 4–5 glasses. The session can also include additional pours if an upgrade option is chosen.

What food comes with the wine?

You’ll get a mix board with prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella, plus typical Italian snacks served with the wines.

Is alcohol included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included, with a selection of very good wines poured during the tasting.

Can I buy wine after the tasting?

Yes. Wines are available for purchase after the experience, and worldwide shipping is offered.

Is this a small group?

Yes. The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time.