Exclusive wine tasting in Brunate

Brunate gives this wine tasting a setting that is hard to match: you ride Como’s funicular up the mountain, then taste local wines with the lake spread below. The tasting is private, and host Arianna brings the region into focus through its food, wine, and stories.

I like two things in particular: three distinct Lombardy wines, from sparkling to white to red, and generous pairings that include homemade focaccia, cured meats, and cheeses from a small farm near Como. The short funicular ride also makes the outing feel like more than a tasting in a room.

One consideration: the experience depends on good weather, since the view is part of its appeal. At about $150.51 per person, it is a special-occasion activity rather than a budget tasting, so it suits you best if you value a private host, local food, and a memorable setting.

What makes this tasting worth considering

• A seven-minute funicular ride connects the Como meeting point with Brunate, the mountain town above the lake.
• Three Lombardy wines cover sparkling, white, and red styles, giving you a compact introduction to the region.
• Local food is part of the tasting, including homemade focaccia and cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como.
• Arianna adds regional context, with stories about Brunate and advice on other local activities.
• The outing is private, so only your group takes part, and the experience runs for about two hours.
• The scenery is central to the appeal, but the activity requires good weather.

From Como’s waterfront to the funicular

The meeting point is Piazza Alcide de Gasperi in Como, with a 5 pm start. From there, you make the short trip on the Como-Brunate funicular. The ride takes about seven minutes, but it changes the feel of the afternoon: you leave the city and arrive in Brunate, a small town above the lake.

Arianna helps you meet up and get onto the funicular, which is useful if you are new to Como or unsure where to go. The outing ends back at the original meeting point, so you do not need to plan a separate return route from Brunate.

The funicular is part of the activity, not just a means of transport. You get a quick transition from Como’s lakeside streets to a higher vantage point, setting up the tasting with a view of the town and water below. The ride is short, though, so think of it as a scenic link rather than a long excursion.

Brunate brings the view to the table

Brunate is known for its position above Como and for the Voltiano Lighthouse, one of the area’s symbols. The tasting takes place in town, where the view over Como and its lake is a major part of the setting. On a clear day, the panorama may extend toward Switzerland, too.

That setting helps explain why this activity costs more than a simple glass of wine at a bar. You are paying for a private outing that combines the funicular, a guided regional tasting, local food, and time in a town with a remarkable outlook. The scenery is not an added bonus; it is woven into the point of the afternoon.

There is a practical trade-off. The weather matters, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a refund. Even with a view-friendly forecast, bring the right expectations: the main event is a tasting with a host, not a long walk or a full tour of Brunate’s landmarks.

Three wines offer a useful taste of Lombardy

The tasting includes three wines produced in Lombardy: a sparkling wine, a white, and a red. That range gives you a simple way to compare styles from one region rather than sampling unrelated bottles. Arianna explains the wines and their connection to the territory, including how grapes are planted, harvested, and bottled.

For a short tasting, this is a sensible lineup. Sparkling wine, white wine, and red wine offer different points of comparison, while keeping the session focused. If you are curious about Italian wine but do not want a technical lecture, the format should give you enough context to understand what is in your glass without turning the afternoon into a classroom.

The emphasis is regional, not on a broad survey of every Italian wine district. You will taste wines from Lombardy and hear about the local land and production. If you are hoping to visit vineyards or meet winemakers, that is not part of the stated plan. This is a hosted tasting in Brunate, with the region explained through the wines and food.

Local food makes this more than a wine flight

The wines are paired with homemade focaccia and a selection of cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como. Other traditional local tastings are included as well. The food is described as substantial, so you should expect more than a few decorative nibbles beside the glasses.

That matters at a 5 pm start. A generous selection can make this a satisfying late-afternoon stop, though it is not described as a formal dinner. If you have dietary needs, check with the operator before booking; the available details do not specify substitutions or dietary accommodations.

The pairing also gives the host another way to explain local tastes. Rather than treating wine as a stand-alone product, the experience brings it together with regional foods and the story of where they come from. For anyone who enjoys learning through a meal, that is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing.

Arianna gives the afternoon its personal scale

This is a private activity, meaning only your group participates. That can make the tasting feel more intimate than a large group session, with room to ask questions and follow the topics that interest you. The host is Arianna, who shares information about regional and Italian wines, Brunate, and the wider area.

The personal guidance is especially useful if this is your first visit to Como. Arianna can offer suggestions for other local activities, so you may come away with ideas for how to spend the rest of your stay. Her help meeting you and getting you onto the funicular also makes the opening of the outing straightforward.

The private format is not automatically the right choice for everyone. If you prefer a lively group tasting with strangers, this one is designed for your own party instead. But if you value direct conversation and a more individual pace, the format is a good match.

Is $150.51 per person good value?

At roughly $150.51 per person for about two hours, this is a premium short activity. The price makes the most sense when you count the full package: private hosting, a funicular ride, three regional wines, homemade and farm-produced food, and a setting above Como. It is not simply a charge for three pours.

Value depends on what you want from an afternoon. If your priority is to sample wine as cheaply as possible, Como will offer less expensive ways to do that. If you want a guided introduction to Lombardy’s wines and food in a distinctive setting, with the transport and local context built in, the higher price is easier to justify.

The average booking lead time is 36 days, suggesting it is worth planning ahead, particularly if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is received at booking. Alcohol is served only to participants aged 18 or older, and service animals are allowed.

How to plan around the two-hour outing

Keep the afternoon fairly open. The start time is 5 pm, and the activity lasts about two hours, ending at the meeting point in Como. Since you travel up to Brunate and return, allow a little flexibility around the scheduled duration if you are arranging dinner or another timed activity.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The activity also has a minimum number of participants; if that requirement is not met, you can choose a different date or experience, or receive a refund.

The general cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. This is worth keeping in mind if your Como plans are still shifting.

Who should book this Brunate tasting?

I would put this high on the list for couples, friends, or small groups who enjoy wine and want an outing with a strong sense of place. It also suits first-time visitors who would like an introduction to local wines and food, along with some practical guidance about Como and Brunate.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a full-length wine-country tour, a vineyard visit, or a large meal. The available plan is focused: a short funicular ride, an intimate tasting, local pairings, and time in a hill town with a striking view. The weather-sensitive setting is another factor if you are visiting in a season when conditions are uncertain.

Book it if you want the view, food, and regional explanation as much as the wine. If you mainly want a low-cost tasting, choose a simpler option in Como and save the extra budget for another activity.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting start?

Meet at Piazza Alcide de Gasperi, 22100 Como. The activity starts at 5 pm and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts about two hours.

How long is the funicular ride to Brunate?

The ride takes about seven minutes.

Which wines are included?

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

What food is served with the wines?

The tasting includes homemade focaccia, cured meats and cheeses from a small farm near Como, and other traditional local tastings.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If bad weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund.