Taste of Lake Como: 4 Wines Paired with Local Cheese Charcuterie

Wine makes a fine introduction to Como. This 90-minute tasting at Capitan Drake combines four or five glasses with Italian cheeses, prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and guidance from a professional sommelier. I like the clear focus on food and wine pairing, and I like the small group, capped at 12 people. One thing to consider is the location: it is in Como city center, but some people find Capitan Drake a little off the usual sightseeing path.

The tasting costs $79.24 per person, which is fair if you value instruction as much as the pour. Sandu receives repeated praise for her warm, confident teaching, while Giuseppe is also singled out for his explanations of grapes, regions, and winemaking. The only real caution is that extra wines may be available at an additional cost, so ask about the tasting level before the glasses begin.

Key points to know before booking

• Four wines, with a possible fifth pour: The standard experience includes four to five glasses, presented with tasting notes and food pairings.
• Capitan Drake is both venue and wine shop: You taste in the Como city center, surrounded by Italian and international bottles available for purchase.
• Italian food is part of the lesson: Prosciutto crudo, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, and other typical snacks help show how wine changes with food.
• A sommelier leads the table: You learn about grape varieties, regions, production methods, serving, and pairing rather than simply sampling unlabeled glasses.
• Small groups encourage conversation: The maximum group size is 12, and the shared table setup makes it easy to meet other wine lovers.
• Shipping is available after the tasting: If you find a bottle you love, Capitan Drake can arrange worldwide shipping, at extra cost.

What happens at Capitan Drake in Como

You meet at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, in Como. The activity begins a few minutes after the stated meeting time, so you should not worry if the first pour does not appear at the exact minute printed on your confirmation.

The tasting takes place inside a wine shop with a broad range of Italian and international bottles. That setting matters. Instead of tasting in a large restaurant room designed mainly for groups, you are surrounded by the bottles being discussed. It gives the experience a practical angle: you can see what is available, ask about a particular region, and decide if you want to buy something later.

The end point is the same as the meeting point. That makes this an easy pre-dinner activity or a useful stop after exploring Como’s center. You will not be transferred around the lake, and this is not a vineyard visit, so book it for the tasting itself rather than for countryside views or a cellar tour.

The official duration is about one hour and 30 minutes. In practice, the pace can be relaxed. One account describes remaining at the table for much longer, and the host’s response to a mixed tasting group makes clear that people are not rushed out immediately after finishing the standard selection. Still, you should allow at least the advertised 90 minutes before scheduling a train, ferry, or dinner.

Four wines explained one glass at a time

The main value comes from the presentation. A sommelier describes each wine, explains the winery and growing area, and provides tasting notes you can take home. You are not expected to arrive with a working vocabulary for wine. One of the strongest features is the friendly approach to beginners, with explanations adjusted for people who know very little about grapes or production.

The tasting may focus on wines from different Italian regions, including examples from Lombardy. The exact bottles can change, so you should not book expecting a particular grape or vintage. That flexibility is useful because it lets the host select wines that work together and pair well with the food available that day.

Expect discussion of subjects such as:

• The grape variety used in each wine
• The region where the grapes were grown
• Fermentation and aging
• How the wine was made
• Proper serving methods
• Food pairings and flavor changes

This is not a rushed succession of glasses. The sommelier talks through the wine before you taste, then gives you time to consider it with the accompanying food. You can ask questions as you go, which is especially helpful if you are trying to understand why one wine works better with cheese and another with cured meat.

The wines have been widely praised for being interesting and enjoyable, but the experience is not built around expensive labels. I see that as a plus. You are learning how to assess and pair wine, not simply being shown a prestige bottle with a high price tag.

Prosciutto, cheese, and buffalo mozzarella

The food is more than a small bowl of crackers. The standard board includes typical Italian food, with prosciutto crudo, a selection of cheeses, and buffalo mozzarella. Other tasting details include bread, grapes, and additional snacks selected to suit the wines.

Come with a reasonable appetite. The portions have been described as ample, and the food is intended to carry you through the full tasting. This is not a full lunch or dinner, but it is substantial enough that you should not plan on treating it as a tiny pre-meal nibble.

The pairing element is one of the best reasons to choose this experience. A cheese may soften a wine’s sharper edge, while salty prosciutto can make fruit flavors seem brighter. Even if you already enjoy wine, tasting the same glass with different foods gives you something useful to take home.

A few tastings have also included tiramisu and dessert wine. These should be treated as possible extras rather than guaranteed parts of the standard menu. The listed food is the meat and cheese board with buffalo mozzarella and typical Italian snacks.

A relaxed table with people from around the world

The group limit is 12, which is small enough for direct contact with the sommelier but large enough to create a social evening. You may sit with people you have never met, and the shared food and glasses give conversation an easy starting point.

The atmosphere seems to be one of the experience’s strongest points. Names such as Sandu and Giuseppe appear in especially warm accounts, with praise for their clear explanations, friendly manner, and ability to keep the session enjoyable. The tone is more welcoming wine lesson than formal certification class.

That distinction is important. If you want a silent, highly technical tasting with strict note-taking, this may feel informal. If you want to learn without feeling tested, the format should suit you well. People with very little wine experience have been made to feel comfortable, while more practiced drinkers still have room to ask about regions and production.

The social setting can also make the experience longer than expected. One mixed group reported tasting additional wines beyond the standard option. The operator explains that the basic tasting is the same for everyone at first, while a higher option with up to seven wines may be added for an extra fee. Before the first pour, ask exactly what your booking includes and what others at the table have selected.

The extra-wine issue and how to avoid confusion

One three-star account raised a fair concern: people at the same table were served more wines after choosing a higher option, while the standard participants listened without receiving the same glasses. The operator says the upgrade is offered and that an additional wine was provided at no charge in that case.

The practical lesson is simple. Confirm the number of wines and the upgrade price at the start. If you want to join the longer tasting, say so before the additional bottles are opened. If you are content with four glasses, there is no need to pay for more, but knowing the arrangement prevents an awkward moment.

The standard information promises four to five glasses, while the optional top tasting can include seven. Since the exact pour count may vary, this is one area where a quick question improves the evening.

Is $79.24 a good value?

At $79.24, this is not the cheapest way to drink wine in Como. You could order a glass and a snack for less. That comparison misses the point, though, because the price includes several wines, a food board, professional instruction, and a small-group setting.

I think the cost is reasonable for three types of visitor:

• You want a structured introduction to Italian wine.
• You enjoy learning about food pairing instead of simply drinking.
• You would like to meet people in a relaxed setting.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick aperitivo or if you already know the Italian regions and prefer choosing your own bottles. In that case, the educational portion may not justify the fixed price.

The tasting also has potential value after you leave. Wines are available for purchase, and worldwide shipping is offered. Extra bottles and shipping are not included, so budget separately. Several people have chosen to send bottles home, which can be useful if you discover a regional wine that is difficult to find where you live.

Timing, transport, and practical details

Capitan Drake is near public transportation, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed. The experience is offered in English, and you receive confirmation when you book.

The address is Via Francesco Benzi 19, Como. Check the route before the day, particularly if you are arriving from another part of Lake Como. One person arrived 10 minutes late and was accommodated, but you should not rely on that. Late arrivals can interrupt the introduction or miss the first pairing.

Saturday transport may require extra planning. One person found it difficult to get a taxi after booking a Saturday session. Como is easy to reach in general, but local taxi availability can vary, so leave time for the walk or use public transportation when practical.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation or change made inside that period is not refunded. The experience is usually booked about 31 days ahead, which suggests that popular dates can fill early, especially during the main Lake Como season.

Who will enjoy this tasting most

I would choose this for couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with adults who want an indoor activity between sightseeing stops. The format works particularly well when one person knows wine and another is just starting to learn, since the sommelier can explain the basics without making the table feel like a classroom.

It is also a good option for a rainy afternoon. The experience does not depend on a lake view, a vineyard visit, or good weather. You get food, conversation, and a guided tasting in one place.

You may want a different activity if your main goal is to visit a winery, walk among vineyards, or taste only wines from the Lake Como area. This takes place in a city wine shop, and the selection can include bottles from different Italian regions and from outside Italy.

The group format is another consideration. If you want a private celebration, the available information does not promise a private table or private guide. You should expect a shared small-group event.

My verdict on the Capitan Drake experience

I would book this if you want an approachable wine lesson with enough food to make it feel like a proper Como outing. The strongest points are the sommelier-led explanations, the generous Italian snacks, the friendly social setting, and the chance to buy and ship bottles afterward.

The experience earns its 4.8 rating from 197 ratings and is recommended by 95 percent of people who rated it. That does not mean every table will have the same host or identical bottles, but the repeated praise for Sandu, Giuseppe, the pairings, and the welcoming atmosphere gives you a useful picture of what the experience does well.

Ask about the standard and upgraded tasting options when you arrive, allow extra time for transport, and do not expect a vineyard tour. If those details fit your plans, this is a smart way to spend 90 minutes in Como, especially for anyone who wants to understand Italian wine rather than simply order another glass.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting take place?

It takes place at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, 22100 Como, Italy.

How long does the experience last?

The scheduled duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

How many wines are included?

The standard experience includes a selection of four to five glasses. An upgraded option may include seven wines for an additional fee.

What food is served?

The tasting includes typical Italian snacks, including prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, buffalo mozzarella, and other food served to pair with the wines.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What is the maximum group size?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Does the tasting end at the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at Capitan Drake.

Can I buy wine after the tasting?

Yes. Wines are available for purchase after the experience, with worldwide shipping available.

Are tips included?

No. Tips and extra wines after the tasting are not included in the price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.