Como: Wine Tasting Experience with Cheese and Cold Cuts

Como’s Capitan Drake Wine Shop puts the wine, not the scenery, at center stage. Over 1.5 to 2 hours, you taste either four or seven wines from Italy and beyond, with a sommelier explaining the bottles and pairing them with cheese, cured meats, or a vegetarian dish.

I like the small-group setting, which makes it easier to ask questions, and I like the chance to compare distinctive grapes and wine regions in one sitting. Sommelier Sandu receives especially warm praise for her friendly style and broad selection. The main caution is value: at $59 per person, this is worthwhile only if you want a guided tasting and generous food pairing, not simply a quick drink.

Key points to know before booking

• Four or seven wines: Choose the standard tasting or the larger top tasting, with the number of glasses and tasting time tied to your option.
• Sandu may lead the tasting: Her warm, enthusiastic approach and clear wine guidance receive particularly strong praise.
• Cheese and cured meats are part of the experience: A vegetarian dish is available if requested in advance.
• Central Como location: The shop sits a few meters from the old city walls, and you find it directly on the street.
• Private option available: A private top tasting gives your group exclusive use of the wine shop.
• Adults only: The tasting is not suitable for children under 18, pregnant people, or anyone with food allergies.

Starting near Como’s old city walls

Capitan Drake Wine Shop is located a few meters from Como’s old city walls, right on the street. That makes this an easy experience to fit into a day of walking around town. You do not need to arrange transport, and the meeting point is simply the Enoteca wine shop.

I suggest arriving with comfortable shoes and clothes. You will be standing or sitting in a wine-shop setting for much of the experience, and the visit is built around tasting rather than a long walk. Look for the shop at street level, then check in for your reserved time.

The location matters because this is not a vineyard outing in the countryside. You are getting an urban wine experience in Como, close to the historic center. If you want vineyard views, cellar tours, or transport through Lombardy’s wine country, this is not that kind of activity. If you want a convenient introduction to several bottles without leaving town, the setting works well.

The host or greeter can speak English or Italian. The shop is wheelchair accessible, and a small-group format is available. Since a reservation is required, do not count on walking in and joining a tasting at the last minute.

Four wines or seven: choosing the right tasting

Your main decision is between the standard tasting of four wines and the top tasting of seven. Both options focus on fine wines representing different vines and territories, with selections from Italy and around the world.

The four-wine option suits you if you want a structured introduction without making wine the entire evening. It should leave room in your day for dinner, sightseeing, or a lakeside stroll. It is also the safer pick if you are interested but not yet sure how much detail or alcohol you want to handle in one sitting.

The seven-wine option gives you a wider comparison. You can expect more variety and more time to consider how different grapes and places affect aroma, taste, body, and finish. The number of glasses and the length of the tasting vary by option, so check the exact choice when booking.

I would choose seven wines if you already enjoy wine or want the fullest version of the experience. The larger tasting also makes more sense if you are splitting the cost of a special food-and-wine afternoon with friends. For a casual first taste, four is likely enough.

The selection is not limited to Italian labels. Italy remains the focus, but bottles from other parts of the world may appear as well. That gives you a useful point of comparison. You are not only sampling local styles, you are also seeing how the shop places Italian wines beside international examples.

What the sommelier adds to each glass

The sommelier is the reason to book this instead of simply buying a bottle at the shop. You receive guidance on the wines as you taste, along with an explanation of the wine shop and its selection.

Sandu is the guide most often singled out by name. Her style is described as friendly, enthusiastic, and highly informed, with an ability to keep the tasting fun as well as instructional. That combination matters. Wine explanations can become stiff or overly technical, but the tone here appears to favor conversation and shared enjoyment.

You can ask about the grape, the territory, and why a particular wine was chosen. The experience is designed to help you understand what is in your glass rather than simply handing you a series of pours. If you are new to wine, this gives you useful language for describing what you like. If you already know your way around a wine list, you may appreciate finding bottles you have not encountered before.

The selection itself is one of the stronger reasons to book. One tasting included wines that the participant had never come across before, which suggests the shop is not relying only on the most familiar labels. Still, the precise bottles are not fixed in the information provided, so you should not book expecting a named producer or a particular vintage.

A practical tip: tell the sommelier what you normally enjoy. The available information does not promise a personalized flight, but speaking up can help you get more from the explanations and pairings.

Cured meats, cheeses, and a vegetarian alternative

The tasting comes with a food pairing, not just wine. Depending on your selection, you receive cured meats and cheeses or a vegetarian dish.

The cold cuts and cheese help turn the tasting into a light meal rather than a string of isolated samples. Salt, fat, creaminess, and texture can change how a wine tastes. This is one reason the $59 price can make sense for the right person. You are paying for the wines, the sommelier’s time, the setting, and food to enjoy alongside the glasses.

The cured meats may be prepared on site, according to the information available, which adds a more personal touch than a sealed snack tray. The pairing is generous enough that one account described leaving satisfied, though portions naturally depend on the selected option and the group.

You can request a vegetarian dish. Make that request when booking, rather than assuming the shop can change the food at the table. The activity is not suitable for people with food allergies, so anyone with a serious dietary concern should treat that restriction seriously and contact the provider before reserving.

The food is supporting the wine, not replacing a full restaurant meal. I would schedule this as an aperitivo or early evening activity, then decide later if you want a larger dinner. Do not book it expecting a multi-course culinary event.

Why the private top tasting may be worth it

The private top tasting gives your group exclusive use of the wine shop. That changes the feel of the experience from a shared tasting to a more personal gathering.

Private use is most useful for a couple, family group of adults, or friends who want to set their own pace. You can ask more questions, talk openly about preferences, and avoid being folded into a larger public group. It may also suit a special occasion where you want the wine shop to feel like your own temporary salon.

The tradeoff is cost and scale. The available price of $59 per person describes the experience generally, but the exact cost of the private top option is not provided here. Check the price before committing. If you are happy meeting other people and sharing the conversation, a small-group tasting should offer much of the same pleasure for less.

The shared format has a social side that can be part of the appeal. One especially positive account described a friendly group that enjoyed getting to know one another while tasting. That will not happen in exactly the same way every time, but wine tastings often work best when you are willing to chat rather than treat each glass as a private exam.

Is $59 a fair price in Como?

At $59 per person, this is not a bargain aperitivo. You could certainly spend less on a single glass of wine and a small plate in Como. The price becomes easier to justify if you choose seven wines, value the sommelier’s guidance, and want a substantial cheese and cured-meat pairing.

The four-wine version requires a closer look at your priorities. If you mainly want to sample Italian wine, four pours with food and instruction can be a convenient introduction. If you already know the basics and want maximum variety, the seven-wine option should offer better value.

I would not book this simply because it is the cheapest way to drink wine in Como. It is a guided tasting with a set format. You are paying for the selection and the explanations, not just the liquid in the glass.

There is also one caution worth keeping in mind. One booking account described the wines as having come from bottles that had already been opened and judged the overall price too high. That is a single negative experience, not proof of a regular problem, but it is fair to ask how the shop handles open bottles if freshness matters to you.

The rest of the feedback is strongly positive, with the experience rated 4.6 out of 5 from 19 ratings. The most consistent strengths are the wine selection, the food, the friendly service, and the small-group atmosphere. Those are the features that determine whether the price feels fair.

Who will enjoy this tasting most?

I would recommend it to adults who want a relaxed introduction to Italian wine without leaving central Como. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting others in a small group.

It is also a good fit if you want to learn but do not want a formal classroom. The sommelier gives you context while you taste, and the food keeps the mood social. You can ask basic questions without needing prior wine knowledge.

Wine enthusiasts may enjoy the range of bottles, especially if they like discovering lesser-known wines. The international selections add another layer for anyone who wants to compare Italian examples with wines from other parts of the world.

I would skip it if you are pregnant, under 18, or looking for a child-friendly activity. It is also unsuitable if you have food allergies. And if your ideal Como outing involves a vineyard, a rural drive, or a long meal, spend your time and money elsewhere.

Timing, comfort, and practical details

Allow between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on the option you choose. The start time is selected from current availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around it.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Smoking is not allowed. Bring an ID card, or a copy of one.

Transportation to and from the shop is not included, but the central location makes this a simple walk-in-town plan. The shop is wheelchair accessible, although you should still confirm any specific access needs when booking.

English and Italian are available. Small groups can be requested through the available option. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later choice helps if your Como plans are still shifting.

My call: book it for the guidance, not just the wine

I would book the Como wine tasting if you want a guided comparison of several wines, a proper cheese and cured-meat pairing, and an easy central location. Sandu’s warm approach is a strong reason to choose this experience, and the option to taste bottles from Italy and beyond adds useful variety.

Choose four wines for a shorter introduction. Choose seven if wine is a main event for you. Choose the private top tasting if exclusive use of the shop matters more than saving money.

I would not book it for a cheap drink, a vineyard visit, or a guaranteed list of famous labels. At $59, the value depends on how much you care about the sommelier, the selection, and the food. For the right adult wine lover, it is a pleasant and practical way to spend part of a Como afternoon or evening.

FAQ

How long does the Como wine tasting last?

The tasting lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours. The exact duration depends on the option you select.

How many wines will I taste?

You can choose a tasting of four or seven wines. The number of glasses and tasting time vary according to the selected option.

What food is included?

The experience includes a pairing of cured meats and cheeses, or a vegetarian dish if requested.

Is the tasting private?

A private top tasting option is available. It gives your group exclusive use of the wine shop.

Is the experience suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

A vegetarian dish is available upon request. The activity is not suitable for people with food allergies.

Can I cancel my reservation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.