Valpolicella Lunch or Dinner Wine & Food tasting with Amarone

Review of Valpolicella Lunch or Dinner Wine & Food Tasting with Amarone

If you’re after a thorough introduction to the wines of Valpolicella, this tour from Verona offers just that — with enough flair to make it memorable. For around $110 per person, you’ll spend nearly four hours exploring a family-run winery, tasting five carefully curated wines, and enjoying a five-course meal, all in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The experience is guided by passionate locals who love sharing their craft — and it’s consistently rated a perfect 5.0 out of 5 by delighted travelers.

What I particularly love about this tour is how unpretentious it is. There’s no boring lecture here. Instead, you get to touch barrels, smell grapes, and walk through the drying loft — all while learning about the process that makes Valpolicella wines so special, like Amarone. Plus, the meals are thoughtfully paired with wines, making every sip and bite a true expression of local craftsmanship. Another highlight? The guides, especially Fabio, get rave reviews for their warmth, knowledge, and storytelling skills — making the entire visit feel like visiting a friend’s lively cellar rather than a tourist trap.

A slight consideration is that, like many winery experiences, it involves a bit of walking and outdoor exposure. Also, the tour’s pricing and advance booking window suggest it’s popular and well-organized, but you’ll want to reserve at least a month in advance if possible. It’s not a crowd-heavy tour — with a maximum of 40 participants — which keeps it intimate and manageable. All in all, this experience feels like a well-balanced blend of education, authentic local ambiance, and great food and wine.

Key Points

• Authentic tasting experience without heavy-handed lessons — just genuine stories shared by passionate guides.
• Beautiful setting in Valpolicella’s vineyards, with a focus on traditional wine-making methods like barrel aging and grape drying.
• Exceptional food and wine pairing: a five-course meal paired with five distinguished wines, including Amarone and Recioto.
• Highly praised guides, especially Fabio, who make the visit engaging with stories and approachable explanations.
• Additional perks include a voucher for a glass of wine at a Verona eatery, extending the experience beyond the tour.
• Good value for the price considering the comprehensive winery visits, quality food, and five tastings.

An In-Depth Look at the Experience

The Winery and Vineyard Tour

The adventure begins outdoors at Cantina Buglioni, among organic vineyards that provide a scenic backdrop even in cloudy weather, which some reviews noted didn’t dampen the experience. Walking through the vineyards gives you a taste of the land that nurtures the grapes used to craft these celebrated wines. Then it’s into the cellar — a space where the real magic happens. You’ll get a chance to see the barrels that hold traditional Valpolicella reds and even touch amphorae that house Amarone Riserva. Hearing about the family’s 30-year journey isn’t just background noise; it adds warmth and authenticity to the visit.

Next, the drying loft is a highlight. This is where the grapes — Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Croatina, and Oseleta — rest for months, losing moisture to increase concentration. Such a close look at the process makes the final wines all the more meaningful. Here, I like that you’re encouraged to touch and see the grapes in their drying phase, offering a tactile understanding that’s usually reserved for serious enthusiasts.

Tasting and the Food

The star of the tour is the tasting session at Locanda Buglioni, the winery’s restaurant. Here, the staff guides you through five wines — ranging from sparkling Rosè to the rich, luscious Amarone — each paired with five courses of regional cuisine. The pairings are thoughtfully designed; reviews cite the food as “exquisite,” and the wines as “delicious.” Particularly praised are the Amarone and Recioto, which showcase the depth and complexity Valpolicella can achieve.

The guide, Fabio, consistently gets top marks for his storytelling and professionalism. Guests describe him as humble, kind, and very knowledgeable — making the visit feel like an engaging conversation rather than a formal tour. One reviewer shared how Fabio’s personalized approach even added a special touch on someone’s birthday, highlighting the genuine care taken to create memorable moments.

The Final Touches

After the tasting concludes, you receive a voucher for a glass of wine at Piscaria, a Verona Osteria. This gives you an excuse to return to the city for a relaxed evening, enjoying the same excellent wines paired with seafood or local specialties. The voucher is valid for a year, giving plenty of flexibility.

Practical Details and Booking

The tour is offered by Cantina Buglioni, a well-rated and professional outfit. Most bookings are made 36 days in advance, reflecting its popularity. It’s a self-transfer experience, so you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to the winery’s location in Corrubbio. The duration of approximately 3 hours 45 minutes makes it a substantial but comfortable commitment. With only 40 participants, you’re unlikely to feel rushed or lost in a crowd.

The all-in price of around $110 includes everything — the winery visits, the tasting, the meal, and taxes. For those looking for genuine value, this experience offers a comprehensive immersion into Valpolicella wine-making, combined with delicious regional cuisine, which many reviews highlight as a standout feature.

Who Is This Tour For?

This experience suits wine lovers who appreciate authentic, family-run operations and want more than just a tasting. Foodies will savor the carefully curated meal, and anyone curious about traditional Italian wine-making processes will find this tour engaging. It’s particularly ideal for travelers who prefer small-group experiences — and who enjoy leisurely, informative visits that blend education with authentic hospitality.

It’s less suited for those on a strict schedule or with mobility issues, as it involves outdoor walking and cellar visits. However, if you’re keen to enjoy well-made wine, a relaxed pace, and local dishes in a scenic setting, this tour hits the mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is transportation included?
No, this is a self-transferred experience, so you’ll need to arrange your own way to the winery in Corrubbio.

How long does the tour last?
The entire experience is about 3 hours and 45 minutes, including the winery visit, tasting, and meal.

What wines will I taste?
You’ll sample five wines: Il Vigliacco (brut Rosé), Rosacipolla (Rosé Trevenezie IGT), Il Bugiardo (Ripasso Valpolicella), Il Lussurioso (Amarone della Valpolicella), and Il Narcisista (Recioto della Valpolicella).

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?
The reviews mention gluten-free options are available, especially for those with celiac disease, thanks to the staff’s attentive care.

Can I cancel if my plans change?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility.

Is the tour suitable for kids or non-drinkers?
While primarily a wine experience, the tour’s focus is on tastings and food. Non-drinkers can participate, but they might miss some of the tasting component.

What is the price?
At $109.86 per person, it offers a well-rounded experience considering the winery tour, five wines, and a five-course meal.

Who is the guide?
Fabio is the most frequently praised guide, recognized for his warmth, storytelling, and professionalism.

What’s the best time to book?
Most travelers book about a month in advance; early reservation is recommended as the tour is quite popular.

To sum it up, this Valpolicella wine and food tour hits the sweet spot for those craving an authentic, relaxed, and educational experience. You’ll love the chance to see a family-run winery, taste a range of wines including the famed Amarone, and enjoy a delicious meal that complements each glass. The guides’ personal touches, especially Fabio’s storytelling, turn what could be a simple tasting into a memorable taste of northern Italy’s culinary soul. Perfect for wine enthusiasts, food lovers, or anyone wanting a genuine taste of Valpolicella’s countryside — it’s undeniably a trip worth making.