Four wines, one small shop, big Como flavor. In a cozy stop at Enoteca Capitan Drake, just a few meters from the old city walls, you taste your way through Italian wines (plus a few international picks) with a sommelier steering the pace. You’re not stuck with a lecture either; you’re given a structured tasting with real context about the shop and what’s in the glass.

I especially like the choice built into the experience: go for a 4-wine tasting or move up to 7 wines, so you can match it to your time and interest level. I also love the food pairing since it’s not an afterthought—cold cuts and cheeses (or a vegetarian dish) turn the tasting into a full, satisfying 1.5–2 hour plan instead of just sipping and rushing.

The main consideration is value and consistency. One mixed review said the wine came from previously opened bottles and questioned the price at about $58–$59 per person, so it’s smart to go in with clear expectations: this is a tasting experience with food and guidance, not a full dinner service.

Key things that make this Como wine tasting work

• 4 or 7 wines: you control how deep you go without overcommitting
• Sommelier-led guidance: you get tasting direction, not guesswork
• Food pairing included: cured meats and cheeses (or vegetarian option) make the wines easier to understand
• Near the old city walls: simple to find and easy to combine with a walk
• Private option available: reserve the shop for an exclusive tasting
• Small-group feel: more conversation, less waiting around

Enoteca Capitan Drake: the street-level start near Como’s old walls

This tasting begins right where you want it—no transfers, no complicated route. The meeting point is the Enoteca wine shop on the street, and it sits only a short walk from Como’s old city walls. That location matters because Como can eat up your time with parking, lakefront detours, and getting oriented; here, you can get to the point fast.

Inside, the experience is set up for conversation. You’re in a shop environment rather than a huge hall, and that changes the whole vibe. Instead of being herded, you can ask practical questions as you taste—things like how a specific wine style changes with food, or what to listen for in aroma and finish. Reviews also point out that the host team is warm, with guides like Sandu standing out for friendliness and enthusiasm.

Before you go, wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You’re not walking for miles, but you may be standing for parts of the tasting, and you’ll likely want to pause afterward to take in the neighborhood.

1.5 to 2 hours that actually follow a tasting logic

The duration is listed as 1.5–2 hours, and that range lines up with how these tastings are meant to flow: arrive, taste through a set of wines, and eat your way through the pairing. You don’t want a too-long experience in a city like Como where you’ll also want time for gelato, lake views, or a quick stroll back toward the center.

Here’s the rhythm you can expect:

• You begin with a tasting guided by a sommelier, with the number of wines determined by your option.
• As you move through the set, you pair each round with food—either cold cuts and cheeses or a vegetarian dish.
• The sommelier also shares the background of the shop’s selection and how to think about wine styles from different vines and territories.

The biggest benefit of that structure is learning by contrast. If you only sip one wine, it’s hard to tell whether you’re enjoying it because it tastes good or because you’re in the mood for that style. When you taste multiple wines back-to-back, you start noticing patterns—body, acidity, tannins, and how those things interact with salty cured meats and creamy cheeses.

4 wines or 7 wines: choosing the right depth

The clearest decision you’ll make is whether you want the 4-wine standard experience or the 7-wine top experience. Both are designed to be representative—so you’re not just drinking similar bottles in a row.

What changes for you is pace and how much you can absorb:

• With 4 wines, you get a strong overview. This is a smart pick if you’re new to wine, you’re short on time, or you want a relaxed, friendly pace.
• With 7 wines, you’ll get more variety and more chances to compare styles. This is better if you like details, you enjoy learning, and you don’t mind that the tasting will feel more “active” as you move through more pours.

Either way, the tasting includes the wine glasses and the sommelier experience as part of the package. The tasting length is also tied to your selected option, and that’s worth noting: don’t pick “4 wines” if you’re the kind of person who finishes a tasting room tour and then immediately wants another one. Conversely, don’t pick “7 wines” if you’re easily overwhelmed by too many steps in one sitting.

The sommelier factor: why guidance makes the tasting easier

A wine tasting without guidance can turn into a guessing game: you taste, you shrug, and you move on. Here, the experience is explicitly built around an expert sommelier guide who talks you through what you’re drinking.

In practice, that means a few things you’ll appreciate:

• You get direction on what to look for in each wine, not just what region it’s from.
• You learn how different wines behave, especially once food enters the picture.
• You hear the history and logic behind the wine shop’s selection—so you’re tasting with context, not random choices.

Language is also part of the value. The host or greeter offers English and Italian, and that matters because good wine talk can get lost when it’s only half-translated. Reviews specifically call out Sandu’s enthusiasm and knowledge, and that kind of delivery often turns a “tasting” into a genuinely fun conversation.

One practical tip: when the sommelier offers a quick explanation, take it. Those few sentences help you taste better immediately, and you’ll leave with more than just a vague sense of whether you liked it.

Cold cuts and cheese pairing (or a vegetarian dish that still fits)

This is one of the easiest ways to understand wine in real life: pairing. The included food is either:

• a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, or
• a vegetarian dish available upon request.

That choice is bigger than it sounds. Salty cured meats and rich cheeses give you strong feedback on acidity, fat, and structure. Vegetarian dishes can do the same thing, but in a different way—often with more herbs, vegetables, or lighter flavors that change how the wine reads on your palate.

If you eat meat and dairy normally, you’ll likely get the best “aha” moment from the cured meats and cheeses because the contrasts are clear. If you choose vegetarian, you still benefit from the tasting structure, but you may notice the wines in a slightly different light—often more about freshness and balance rather than heavy richness.

One review also points out the charcuterie being prepared on site, and another notes generous measures of wine. That doesn’t mean every portion will feel identical every day, but it suggests the shop treats the pairing as part of the show, not a token plate.

Private tasting: when exclusivity turns into real attention

If you want the shop to feel like it’s just for you (or your group), there’s an option for a private top tasting. This reserves the wine shop for your exclusive use, which can be a big deal if:

• you’re celebrating something,
• you want quieter pacing and more questions,
• or you simply don’t want to share attention with a crowd.

Because the public experience already leans small-group, the private option is less about having no people at all and more about getting maximum flexibility. If you know you’re the type who wants to ask lots of “why does this taste different” questions, private time usually pays off.

Price and value: is $59 per person fair for Como?

At $59 per person, you’re paying for three things that are hard to reproduce on your own:

1. Multiple wine pours (4 or 7, depending on your option)
2. A sommelier guide who helps you taste with meaning
3. An included food pairing (cheeses and cold cuts or vegetarian dish)

On paper, $59 can feel steep if you’re comparing it to buying a single glass in a bar. But wine education costs time and expertise, and the pairing turns the tasting into a more complete experience than just alcohol sampling.

Still, the value question isn’t imaginary. One mixed review complained about wine served from bottles that were previously opened and called the experience overpriced. That’s a reminder to choose your expectations carefully: you’re booking a tasting guided by staff in a shop setting. If you’re extremely sensitive to bottle presentation or you have sharp standards for wine quality handling, it may be worth asking—before you go—how they manage pours and selection for your specific option.

In most cases, the presence of a skilled sommelier and the included pairing makes $59 feel more reasonable, especially compared to piecing together tastings plus food elsewhere.

Who should book this (and who should skip it)

This experience is designed for adults and people who want to learn while they eat. Here’s what fits best:

You’ll probably enjoy it if you:

• want a small-group tasting experience rather than a long tour bus situation,
• like wine and want a guide to help you taste smarter,
• enjoy cheese and cured meats (or are open to a vegetarian pairing).

You should skip it if you:

• are under 18, pregnant, or have food allergies (not suitable based on the activity info).

It’s also listed as wheelchair accessible, which is helpful if you need that option in Como. Just plan on wearing comfortable shoes, since you’ll be moving around a bit in the old-town area.

How to get the most from your 1.5 to 2 hours

This is the “do this, not that” part that makes a tasting smoother:

• Bring your ID card (a copy is accepted).
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes so you can stand and move without stress.
• If you’re choosing between 4 and 7 wines, pick based on your energy. If you want a quick hit and clear takeaways, go 4. If you want lots of comparisons, go 7.
• Ask the sommelier to explain what you should taste next. The best tastings happen when you listen, then immediately taste with purpose.

And if you find a wine you really love, don’t be shy about asking about purchasing options. One review mentions arranging a case of their favorite wine for delivery after the tasting, which suggests the shop may offer bottle sales beyond the pours.

Should you book the Enoteca Capitan Drake tasting in Como?

If you want an efficient, food-included wine tasting in Como with a real guide and a clear structure, I’d say it’s worth booking—especially the option that matches how deep you want to go (4 vs 7 wines). The combination of sommelier-led tastings and included cheese/charcuterie or vegetarian pairing is exactly what turns a simple tasting into a memorable hour-and-change.

I’d hesitate only if you’re very picky about bottle handling or you’re judging value purely by price per glass. In that case, choose carefully between the available tasting options and go in knowing this is a guided tasting experience, not a restaurant dinner.

FAQ

How many wines are included?

You can choose between a tasting with 4 wines or one with 7 wines, depending on the option you select.

What food is included with the wine tasting?

The tasting includes a pairing of cold cuts and cheeses, or you can request a vegetarian dish.

Who guides the tasting?

An expert sommelier guides the tasting and provides insights into the wines and the shop’s selection.

Where is the meeting point?

Look for the Enoteca Wine shop on the street, located a few meters from the old city walls in Como.

How long does the experience take?

The tasting lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.

Is this experience available in English?

Yes, the host or greeter offers English and Italian.

Is there a private tasting option?

Yes. You can reserve the wine shop for a private top tasting, which allows exclusive use of the wine shop.

Is the experience suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

FAQ

Is cancellation free?

The experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I pay later?

Yes. The listing includes a reserve now & pay later option, where you can book your spot and pay nothing today.

Is vegetarian food available without advanced notice?

A vegetarian dish option is available upon request, so you’ll want to choose that preference when reserving.

Is the tasting suitable for people with food allergies?

It is not suitable for people with food allergies, based on the activity information.

Can pregnant people join?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes, and an ID card (a copy is accepted).

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is not allowed.

What languages can I expect from the host?

You can expect English and Italian from the host or greeter.