Como: Wine Tasting Experience with Cheese and Cold Cuts

Como’s wine tasting puts a useful local stop on the menu: a shop near the old city walls, a sommelier to explain the pours, and food to match. I like that you can choose four or seven wines, and that the pairing can be a plate of cured meats and cheeses or a vegetarian dish.

I also like the chance to hear about the wine shop and the regions behind its selection, rather than simply sampling glasses without context. Sandu has led recent tastings, and her enthusiasm and clear explanations have been a particular highlight. One consideration: the price is about $59 per person, and one recent tasting felt poor value to a participant who received wine from already-opened bottles. The experience may depend on the selection and how it is presented that day.

At a glance

• A tasting close to the old city walls: Enoteca Capitan Drake is on the street, a few meters from Como’s old walls.
• Four or seven wines: Your chosen option determines how many glasses you taste and how long the session lasts.
• A choice of pairing: Expect cured meats and cheeses, or request a vegetarian dish.
• A sommelier leads the session: You’ll hear about the wines and the shop’s selection. Recent tastings have been led by Sandu, but the guide can vary.
• Private tasting available: Choose the private top tasting if you want exclusive use of the wine shop.
• Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours: Small groups are available, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.

A wine shop just beyond Como’s old walls

The tasting takes place at Enoteca Capitan Drake, a wine shop located a few meters from Como’s old city walls. That makes it an easy experience to fit into a day in town, especially if you want a break from sightseeing that still has a strong local flavor. The meeting point is the shop itself, so look for the Enoteca on the street rather than expecting a separate tour office or pickup.

This is a seated wine experience, not a vineyard visit. You won’t be heading out into the countryside to see vines or a cellar. Instead, the focus is on tasting wines selected to represent different grapes and territories, with a sommelier there to explain what you’re drinking and how the shop chooses its bottles.

That distinction matters when you’re deciding what kind of wine outing you want. If you’re after scenery and a look at wine production, this isn’t that. If you want to learn about wine while staying in Como and avoid spending half a day on transport, the central shop setting is a practical fit.

Choosing four wines or seven

The main decision is the tasting level. The standard option includes four wines; the top tasting includes seven. The number of glasses and the overall tasting time depend on which you choose, with the experience lasting about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Four wines make a sensible introduction if you’re curious but don’t want wine to take over your afternoon. It leaves room to compare the pours and ask questions without turning the tasting into a long session. The seven-wine option gives you a broader sample and more chances to encounter grapes or regions you may not know.

The selection is described as wines from Italy and around the world, with an emphasis on distinctive grapes and territories. That variety is part of the appeal: one Canadian participant praised the range of wines they had not encountered before. Still, the exact bottles aren’t specified in advance, so don’t book expecting a particular producer, region, or wine style.

An experienced guide can make a tasting more useful than a list of names and flavors. You can hear how the sommelier presents each wine, what distinguishes it, and how it fits into the shop’s selection. Sandu has been singled out for her warmth, enthusiasm, and strong grasp of the wines. Your guide may be someone else, but the activity is offered in English and Italian.

Pairing wine with a proper plate

The food is more than a token cracker alongside the wine. The standard pairing is a selection of cured meats and cheeses, with the option to request a vegetarian dish. One tasting included charcuterie prepared on site, and the food was described as a welcome part of the experience.

A plate of meat and cheese gives you something substantial to enjoy while you taste, and it can make the session feel closer to an easy aperitivo than a formal lesson. The vegetarian option is useful if you don’t eat meat, but you’ll need to request it. The information provided doesn’t specify the exact dishes, portion sizes, or whether other dietary needs can be accommodated.

Food allergies are listed among the reasons this activity may not be suitable. If you have an allergy, don’t assume that the standard plate can be adjusted safely. Check directly before booking. Additional food and drinks are not included, so consider the tasting and its pairing the full offer rather than expecting a meal with extras.

What the session is like

The basic rhythm is straightforward: arrive at the wine shop, meet your sommelier, and taste the number of wines included in your chosen option. Your guide shares insights as you go, while the food pairing gives you something to try alongside the wines. You’ll also hear about the shop and its wine selection.

The experience is designed to be social as well as informative. Small groups are available, and the friendly atmosphere can make it easy to compare impressions with the people at your table. If you like asking questions and learning by talking through what you taste, you’ll likely get more from the session than if you simply want a quiet drink.

A private top tasting gives you exclusive use of the shop. That may suit a couple or a group looking for a more personal setting, or anyone who would rather keep the conversation among their own party. The details don’t specify how many people can join a private tasting, so confirm the group limit before booking if you have a particular number in mind.

One point worth keeping in mind is that a tasting can vary with the wines opened and the way the sommelier presents them. One participant found the experience mediocre after being served wines from bottles that had already been opened, while other tastings received high praise for their selection and generous pours. That contrast doesn’t guarantee a problem, but it is a fair reason to ask questions if bottle freshness or tasting style matters to you.

Is $59 a fair price?

At about $59 per person, this is not a bargain glass of wine. You’re paying for a guided session, several wines, a food pairing, and the convenience of doing it in Como without arranging transport to a winery. For the four-wine option, the value depends on how much you want the explanation and context. If you mainly want a drink, you may find better value ordering a glass at a bar.

The seven-wine option may make more sense if you’re keen to compare a broader range and spend more time learning. The private tasting is a different value calculation: you’re paying for exclusive use of the shop, not simply more wine. It can be worthwhile for a group that values privacy, but less compelling if you’re happy to share a table and conversation with others.

Food also affects the equation. A pairing of cured meats and cheeses, or the vegetarian plate, makes this feel like a more complete outing than a tasting alone. But additional food and drinks cost extra, and the portion details aren’t given. If you’re hungry, don’t assume this replaces lunch or dinner.

The positive experiences have had some clear common threads: an engaging sommelier, varied wines, a pleasant setting, and a good social atmosphere. Those are the elements most likely to make the price feel worthwhile. The less favorable experience is a reminder that expectations should stay grounded: this is a wine shop tasting, not a guaranteed private lesson or an elaborate meal.

Practical details before you book

Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, with the precise duration depending on your selection. Starting times vary, so check the available options for your date. Transportation to and from the shop is not included, but the meeting point is the wine shop itself, close to the old city walls.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, and small groups are available. The host or greeter speaks English and Italian. Bring comfortable shoes and clothes, along with an ID card; a copy is accepted. Smoking is not allowed.

Reservations are required. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. The tasting is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women. If you have food allergies, take the warning seriously and check with the provider before committing.

Who will enjoy this tasting most?

I’d choose this experience if you’re staying in Como, enjoy trying unfamiliar wines, and want a knowledgeable guide to give the glasses some context. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who like talking over food and drink. The option to taste four or seven wines gives you a way to match the session to your interest and available time.

It’s also a useful choice if you want an evening or afternoon activity close to the center and don’t want a long trip out of town. The shop’s location means the tasting can sit neatly alongside a day exploring Como, rather than requiring a separate excursion.

I’d think twice if you’re expecting a vineyard tour, a set list of famous bottles, or a full meal. You may also prefer to skip it if you don’t drink wine, are pregnant, are under 18, or have food allergies that the provider cannot safely accommodate. At this price, go for the guided selection and the food pairing, not just the number of pours.

Should you book it?

Book if you want an easy, social introduction to wines from Italy and beyond, with a sommelier to explain the selection and a plate to share. The four-wine option is a good fit for a lighter session; choose seven if you want more variety and time at the table. If privacy matters, ask about the exclusive-use tasting.

Skip it if your main goal is seeing vineyards, or if you’d be just as happy with a single glass at a bar. For a central Como experience that combines tasting, food, and conversation, Enoteca Capitan Drake is a practical way to spend a couple of hours, with the usual caveat that the wines and the guide shape the day.

FAQ

How many wines are included?

You can choose a tasting of four or seven wines. The option you select determines the number of glasses and affects the tasting duration.

What food is served with the wine?

The pairing is a selection of cured meats and cheeses, or a vegetarian dish if requested. Additional food and drinks are not included.

How long does the tasting take?

Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours. The exact duration varies with the tasting option.

Is the tasting available in English?

Yes. The host or greeter speaks English and Italian.

Can I book a private tasting?

Yes. A private top tasting gives you exclusive use of the wine shop. The group size is not specified, so check with the provider if you need that detail.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.