Seven pours. One smart Como stop.

At Capitan Drake in the city center, this tasting turns Lake Como downtime into a guided lineup of 7 wines with producer stories and practical pairings. I love the way the flight moves across styles, from sparkling to reds, and I like that you can customize what you’re curious about instead of getting stuck with a fixed menu. One thing to consider: it’s built around alcohol, and seven glasses can feel like a lot if you’re a light sipper.

You’ll meet at Capitan Drake (Via Francesco Benzi 19) and the tasting typically starts a few minutes after the scheduled meeting time. The food comes as a generous Italian board—so even if you came for wine, you’ll end up eating like it’s an early dinner. If you’re worried about price, plan to weigh it against how much you’ll actually drink and take home.

Key things to know before you go

• 7 wines in one sitting across sparkling, white, rosé, and top reds, plus a sweet finish with chocolate notes.
• Sommelier-led comparisons with producer background and tasting notes you can actually use back home.
• Meat-and-cheese or vegetarian/vegan boards, with classic pairings like cheese, cured meats, olives, and local vegetables.
• Central Como location near public transportation, handy when you want a break from walking.
• Different glasses for different wines, explained as part of how you get the aromas right.
• Private format for your group, guided in English, and designed for questions—not speeches.

Capitan Drake in central Como: the easy break between sights

This experience is set up for when you’re ready to stop sightseeing and do something comfortable. You start at Capitan Drake on Via Francesco Benzi 19, a short move from the Como action, so you’re not forced to fight traffic or add a long detour just to have a good time.

In practice, the timing is relaxed. The tasting begins a few minutes after meeting time, which gives you time to find the spot and settle in before the first pour. This matters because wine tastings go wrong when you’re rushed: the aromas are fleeting, and your notes turn into scribbles.

Why I think the location works: you can slot this into a day when you’re tired from viewpoints, lakefront strolls, and photo stops. It also works well on rainy afternoons, when you still want your evening to feel special without hauling an umbrella for hours.

The 7-wine flight: sparkling, whites, rosé, and a red-heavy finish

The centerpiece is the Top Wine Tasting: you sample seven wines you choose by preference. The lineup is described as a mix of sparkling (framed as Italian Champagne), white, rosé, three top reds, and a sweeter red with a chocolate pairing.

A few practical details make this flight feel smarter than a typical tasting:

• The wines are served in different glass shapes, and the team explains why. That’s not trivia. Glass choice changes how you smell a wine first, then how it lands on your palate.
• You get real tasting notes, not just “this is good.” The sommelier talk tends to connect what you’re tasting with what the producer is doing and what to watch for.

From examples in past nights, you might hear mentions like Franciacorta for the sparkling portion, and reds such as Amarone Ca’ Coato or Sagrantino di Montefalco (including bottles associated with Arnaldo Caprai). Some tastings also include a finish that leans into dessert wine territory, with a dark chocolate component. You shouldn’t assume those exact labels every time, but the point is clear: the flight is designed to show range, not repeat the same style seven times.

Also pay attention to the balance of the lineup. It’s often red-leaning—multiple reviews note that most pours were red. If you’re mostly into whites or sparkling, tell the team early. The whole experience is set up so the sommelier can adjust to your preferences.

The sommelier-led walkthrough: producer stories you’ll remember

This is not a silent “sip and read the menu” kind of tasting. A certified sommelier guides you through each wine with:

• tasting notes,
• explanations about the wineries,
• and comparisons across the flight so you can understand what changes from one style to the next.

You’ll hear different guide names depending on the night—Sandu and Ricardo appear in the experiences shared, and the staff at Capitan Drake also refer to Mama as part of the hosting. Whoever is working with you, the pattern is the same: the guidance stays friendly and interactive, with plenty of room to ask questions.

That matters because wine becomes more fun when you understand the why. When the sommelier compares wines side by side—smooth versus tannic, gentle versus full-bodied—you stop thinking in terms of “I like it / I don’t.” You start thinking in terms of what your preferences are.

One extra detail I’d call out: some nights include an ending that’s part dessert and part surprise. For example, dark chocolate pairing and even a homemade-style chocolate salami showed up as part of a memorable finish. If you’re the type who likes playful food moments at the end, this kind of close can be a highlight.

The food pairing boards: meat-and-cheese versus vegetarian/vegan

Wine is only half the story here. The pairing is built as an Italian snack board, not a couple of crackers.

Meat-and-cheese board (the mix board)

The mix board includes Italian staples like:

• cheese and salami,
• bresaola,
• prosciutto crudo,
• and a selection of cheeses with compote.

You may also see items like porcini and anchovies, plus bread options, with examples including segale and taralli. Buffalo mozzarella also shows up in the described snack spread.

Vegetarian/vegan board

You’re not stuck with an apologetic veggie plate. The experience explicitly offers vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, including local vegetables such as puntarelle and olives like Taggiasche. The format is meant to still feel like an Italian board, not a side salad.

Here’s the practical benefit for you: your tasting doesn’t become a juggling act where you’re trying to balance strong flavors with weak food. The boards are meant to support the wines—salty cured meats push and sharpen certain reds, while cheese and olives help reset your palate as the flight changes.

And yes, the portions can feel more like a light meal than an aperitivo. If you skip dinner, you may end up fine. If you’re sensitive to rich foods, just pace your bites between sips.

Timing and pacing: about 2 hours, but plan for a longer session

The tour runs for about 2 hours (approx.). But real timing can stretch. Some experiences describe a longer window, like a late afternoon or evening tasting that lasted from roughly 6pm to 9pm.

So what should you do with that information? Plan like this:

• Keep this block on your schedule as a true activity, not a thing you squeeze between two rushed stops.
• Eat something light before you go if you’re hungry, since the boards are filling and you’ll likely want room for it.
• If you’re a light drinker, set expectations with the team. The flight is seven wines, and one reviewer noted it can be a lot. You’re not required to chug—just be honest about your pace.

One more practical note: because you’ll taste across categories—sparkling, whites, reds—your palate will be switching gears often. That’s fun, but it also means you’ll feel it more than you might with a smaller tasting.

Price and value at $180.22: what you’re really paying for

At $180.22 per person, this isn’t a budget snack-and-sip. The value comes from what’s included and what’s guided:

• Seven wines you choose (so you’re not locked into a style you don’t like).
• Alcoholic beverages for the full flight.
• A generous Italian board, with meat-and-cheese or vegetarian/vegan options.
• A sommelier-led explanation with winery context and tasting comparisons.
• A private setup for your group, rather than just being stuck in a loud crowd.

The tradeoff is simple: if you drink just one or two and don’t care about wine education, the price can feel steep. One review also flagged that the cost may not match expectations for the format. I’d treat that as a nudge to decide based on your interest level.

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to leave with:

• a better sense of what you like,
• a few wines you can re-find later,
• and a genuinely relaxing stop in Como without more transport,

then the price starts to make more sense.

One practical bonus: some people used the tasting to identify bottles they wanted to buy and ship home, so the tasting can turn into a take-home souvenir that isn’t just a photo.

Who should book this wine-and-food tasting in Como

This is a strong fit if you want an efficient, high-comfort experience in central Como—especially when the weather is bad or you’re worn out from walking.

It’s also a good choice if you:

• like wine with a plan (not just random pours),
• enjoy food pairings that actually change what you taste,
• and want a guide who answers questions.

If you’re mainly chasing Instagram scenery and don’t care about wine, you might prefer a different activity. Also, if seven glasses will feel like a stretch, tell the team you prefer gentler pacing or fewer reds. The customization is part of the design.

Should you book Top Lake Como Wine & Food Tasting?

Book it if you want a guided tasting that’s built for real learning and real eating, all in central Como without logistics headaches. The top-rated experiences point again and again to two things: the quality of the wine selection and the friendly, engaging hosting from the sommelier team (with names like Sandu and Ricardo popping up in past sessions).

Skip or rethink it if you’re looking for a casual, low-cost aperitivo moment. This is an alcohol-forward tasting with a full food board, so the best outcome comes when you’re ready for that structure—and when you tell the guide what you actually like.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Como wine and food tasting?

It runs for about 2 hours (approx.).

Where does the tasting meet?

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

What’s included in the ticket price?

You get the Top Wines tasting with 7 wines you choose (white/red/sparkling depending on your preferences), plus typical Italian food snacks such as prosciutto crudo and a cheese selection, with options for vegetarian/vegan.

Can I choose the wines I taste?

Yes. You select your preferences, and the sommelier will guide what you taste based on your curiosities.

Is there a vegetarian or vegan option for the food?

Yes. The food board includes vegetarian/vegan options.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

Is this tour private?

Yes. Only your group will participate.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts.