Wine up in Brunate tastes different. This exclusive Lake Como tasting pairs three Lombardy wines (sparkling, white, red) with homemade focaccia and local farm cheeses and cured meats, all set against Como and the lake views from Brunate. What I really like is the mix of wine education with food pairing, and the fact you get there via the funicular for that easy 7-minute lift and the Voltiano Lighthouse moment. One drawback to plan around: the experience depends on good weather, since the view is part of the point.

I also like how it stays personal. This is a private activity, in English, and it’s led by Arianna, who doesn’t just pour wine—she explains how the wines connect to the territory around Lake Como and Lombardy, including what happens in the vineyard and how grapes end up bottled.

Your consideration is timing. It starts at 5:00 pm, so if you prefer very early dinners or you’re coming from elsewhere late in the day, you’ll want to line up your schedule so you don’t feel rushed on the way to the funicular.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• 3 Lombardy wines: sparkling, white, and red, served during a single 2-hour session
• Funicolare ride to Brunate: a short 7-minute trip that sets you up for the view
• Pairing with local food: homemade focaccia plus cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como
• Brunate story from Arianna: she ties the town to what you’re tasting and adds practical suggestions
• Adult-only alcohol: wine service starts at age 18, so plan accordingly

Brunate by Funicular: the 7-minute lift to the view

Brunate sits above Como, and the easiest way up is the funicular. Here, you’re not spending time wrestling buses or steep stairs. You start at the meeting point in Como (Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como CO), then head to the Funicolare Como Brunate, and the ride itself is just 7 minutes.

That matters because it keeps the whole afternoon flowing. You arrive ready to enjoy, not already worn out. It also means the tasting isn’t separated from the scenery—it’s built around it. The whole point is that you’re tasting in a place with a payoff view over Lake Como, with Brunate’s Voltiano Lighthouse close by as one of the town’s recognizable symbols.

If you’re the type who hates doing scenic stuff “after” your main plan, this structure is your friend. You’re doing scenic first, then wine and food with it fresh in your mind.

The tasting: sparkling, white, and red from Lombardy

The wine part is straightforward and well thought out. You’ll taste three regional wines from Lombardy:

• one sparkling
• one white
• one red

I like this setup because it covers a lot of styles without turning into a confusing long menu. Sparkling is a great warm-up—it resets your palate and helps you notice flavors in food. The white gives you a handle on acidity and freshness that works nicely with cheese and cured meats. Then the red brings body and structure, which usually makes the cured meats and richer bites feel more complete.

Arianna’s role is to connect the dots. From the way people describe the experience, she’s not treating this like a generic wine quiz. She’s set up to explain what you’re tasting and how it reflects the area—so you come away with more than just a list of names.

Also, it’s offered in English, which helps a lot if you’re not fluent in Italian wine terms. The goal isn’t to make you memorize grape jargon. It’s to help you understand what you’re tasting and why it pairs the way it does.

Food pairings that follow the logic, not the guesswork

Wine and food pairing can be hit-or-miss if the food is an afterthought. Here, the food is built in and it’s not skimpy in the “you got a tiny bite” way.

You’ll get:

• homemade focaccia
• a selection of cured meats and cheeses produced by a small farm near Como
• additional traditional local food surprises tied into the tasting

I like that this isn’t just cheese-on-a-plate. The structure is meant to match each wine’s personality. Focaccia brings texture and comfort—great for holding the flavors steady while you sip. Cured meats and farm cheeses bring salt, fat, and savory notes, which are exactly the kind of things that show off whether a wine is actually balanced.

One practical tip: with wine tastings, the fastest way to ruin the experience is going in too hungry. With a meal-sized pairing plan, you’re usually in good shape. Still, if you’ve been walking all day, it can help to eat something light first so you enjoy the wine instead of just waiting for the food.

Brunate’s story and the Voltiano Lighthouse moment

This tasting isn’t stuck in a back room. You’re in Brunate, and the host shares context about the town and how it fits into the Como area.

The Voltiano Lighthouse shows up as more than decoration. It’s part of what makes Brunate feel like a distinct stop rather than a quick detour. People remember this part because the light and view change fast in late afternoon, and you get a sense of scale—how Como spreads below you and why people come up here specifically.

Arianna also adds practical advice for discovering the area. That’s useful because Lake Como can be a bit tricky: you can end up in “pretty but generic” spots if you don’t know what to ask for. A host who knows the territory can help you build your own route after the tasting ends back at the meeting point.

And yes, the views are a big part of why the whole thing feels special. When wine and scenery are both working, you don’t feel like you’re paying for just one thing.

Price and value: what $150.51 buys you in Como

At $150.51 per person for about 2 hours, this isn’t a budget tasting. But it also isn’t just a pour-your-choice deal. You’re paying for multiple wines, paired food, a guided explanation in English, and a private setup in Brunate with the funicular component.

Here’s the value angle I’d use to decide:

• You’re getting three Lombardy wines in one go, instead of a random pick or a single glass.
• The food pairing includes homemade focaccia plus cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como, which typically costs more to source well than a standard tasting snack.
• It’s private, which usually means less waiting, less crowd noise, and more ability to ask questions and hear your guide’s answers.

If you want a big, loud wine event, you might find cheaper options. If you want a guided, food-forward tasting in a place with real atmosphere, this pricing makes more sense.

Another smart way to see value: bookings are often made about 36 days in advance, which suggests the slot can be popular. Planning ahead gives you more options for timing during your stay.

Timing at 5:00 pm: why late afternoon works

This experience starts at 5:00 pm and finishes back at the meeting point in Como. Late afternoon matters. Brunate is a viewpoint town, and the sky and water below tend to look best when the day is winding down.

It also helps you stack your afternoon. For example, you can do sightseeing around Como earlier, then take the funicular up and finish the day with wine and a view. If your schedule already has a plan for dinner right after, just be ready to move carefully from Brunate back down—end time is within about 2 hours total.

A minor consideration: it requires good weather. If clouds roll in or rain shows up, the view experience may be affected, and the operator can offer a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this Brunate wine tasting

This fits best if you like any of these:

• you want a guided wine experience with food, not just tasting flights
• you’re making Lake Como a serious trip and want one moment that feels specific to Brunate
• you enjoy learning how wine connects to place—vineyard-to-bottle logic, not just tasting notes
• you prefer a private activity so you can move at a comfortable pace and ask questions

It can also suit couples and small groups who want a calmer alternative to the more crowded parts of Como during peak hours.

If you’re visiting with a strict schedule and hate weather dependencies, build in flexibility. The tour itself is short, but the viewpoint is part of the experience.

A quick reality check before you go

A few details worth noting so you can plan like a pro:

• You’ll taste alcoholic drinks starting at age 18.
• This is an English-language experience.
• It’s a private tour/activity, with only your group participating.
• It includes service animals, and it’s described as suitable for most people.

The funicular ride is short, but you’ll still want comfortable shoes. Even with easy walking, you’ll be moving around Brunate and spending time outdoors for the view.

Should you book this Brunate wine tasting?

I’d book it if you want Lake Como to feel more personal and less checklist-y. The combination of three Lombardy wines, serious food pairing (focaccia, cured meats, cheeses), and Brunate’s viewpoint—handled in English by Arianna—makes it a solid use of a couple hours.

Skip it only if you’re hunting for a cheap tasting, you’re not into wine education at all, or you won’t be able to adapt if the weather turns. Otherwise, this is the kind of experience that makes your Como trip feel tied to the place you’re standing in.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como CO, Italy, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the experience begin?

The start time is 5:00 pm.

How long does the tasting last?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Is this experience private?

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

What wines are included?

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

What food is included with the wine?

The tasting includes homemade focaccia, cured meats, and cheeses produced by a small farm not far from Como, plus other traditional local food surprises.

What age requirement applies for alcohol?

Alcoholic drinks are served from age 18.

Does the experience need good weather?

Yes. It requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.