Franciacorta Wine Tour
Uncover Franciacorta's exclusive sparkling wines and gourmet dining by Lake Iseo. Book your bespoke tour today!
EXPLORE ALL OUR EXPLORE YOUR PRIVATE WINE TOURS IN ITALY
Verona is one of Northern Italy’s most beautiful towns, famous for its stunning Roman Arena (where a spectacular summer opera season takes place every year). Verona also hosts Vinitaly, one of the world’s most prestigious wine fairs, and it is a major hub for food and wine travelers and wine professionals alike due to its strategic position near the beautiful Valpolicella wine country. Like most of Italy, wine has been produced in the Valpolicella region for millennia, and the vineyards were already well known in Roman times. The wines of Valpolicella are made with the native Corvina, Molinara, and Rondinella grapes and are used to make both dry reds and delicious sweet reds. Amarone della Valpolicella is the top wine of the region. On this VIP tour, you will have the chance to visit famous Amarone producers and taste the best examples of this unique Italian wine.
Your tour begins in the vine-covered valleys of the Valpolicella, where you will visit a highly-rated estate and enjoy a private tour and tasting of premium wines. Carry on to Verona for a private guided walking tour to discover this lovely town on foot. Verona is famous for its wine bars and restaurants, and you will stay here for the next few nights. On this tour, you will visit a gorgeous winery north of Lake Garda and visit the little-known town of Trento. A highlight of this luxurious tour is your Lake Garda experience- wine tasting at a Lugana wine property in the morning, followed by a private motor launch to a Michelin-starred restaurant for lunch. This chauffeured Mercedes tour is a fabulous introduction to Italy’s northern jewels- picturesque mountains and lakes, historic cities, elegant wine estates, and high-end dining.
Milan/Verona/Venice - Valpolicella Classica - Verona
Upon arrival at Venice / Milan / or Verona airports, your private chauffeured Mercedes will collect you at the airport. You will transfer to the beautiful Valpolicella wine country. You have an exclusive VIP private visit in-store and will taste some superb wines today!
Visit a prestigious Amarone producer such as Allegrini. You will explore the cellars with a complete explanation of the winemaking and the unique grape drying process responsible for the production of this noble wine. A superb tasting of the property’s flagship wines, including some from Allegrini’s family wine cellar, will follow at Villa della Torre, a magnificent example of Italian Renaissance architecture. Take your time, relax, and enjoy the tasting. This is a private tour, and you will be encouraged to ask as many questions as you like, and you will taste a selection of various wines.
After a morning of Amarone wine tasting, your next stop is to a fantastic restaurant close to the winery, in the heart of the wine country. You will have a tasting menu waiting for you with high quality Northern Italian cuisine paired with top wines from the region. Enjoy ricotta fresca con mostarda di mele; risotto al Recioto; petto d’anatra con salsa di Recioto e miele and finish your meal with a smooth and digestive grappa!
After lunch, a contrasting winery, such as family-run and organic Monte Dall’Ora, where Alessandra and Carlo will welcome you, introducing you to their estate and their sensational wines, which are structured and subtle.
After the tasting, your chauffeur will escort you to beautiful Verona, where you will check into your historic and charming hotel. Enjoy some free time and freshen up.
In the early evening at your preferred time, your private art guide will meet you at the hotel, and you will embark on a walking tour of Verona’s best-known monuments, accented with local anecdotes and legends. Highlights of Verona include the amazingly preserved Roman Arena and the Casa di Giulietta (with its fascinating local history that inspired Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” and is covered in hundreds of love letters). Verona is one of Italy’s wealthiest towns, and you will find many elegant streets, shops, and restaurants. This is an excellent base for the trip. Dinner is on your own tonight with our suggestions.
Verona - Avio - Trento - Verona
Your private chauffeur and additional wine guide for the day will pick you up at your hotel in Verona and drive you to Avio, close to Trento. Your first destination will be one of the most beautiful producers in this region.
You will visit a magnificent wine estate owned by an Italian Marchese (who you might get to meet), the cellar and a full tasting of 3 wines will follow; Merlot, Villa Gresti, and San Leonardo. You will leave with a gift from the winery. After a morning’s hard work of wine tasting, you will be ready for lunch. The venue selected for you is close to the winery. It is a fantastic local Trattoria where you will taste the best of local Trentino cuisine- strangolapreti, speck, coniglio con polenta, canederli, carne salada- all paired with excellent regional wines.
After lunch, transfer to Trento to discover this flourishing city and its castle, with your private guide. The city architectural reflects its historical importance, and it was here that the Council of Trent took place from 1545 to 1563. You will visit the icons of the town, the Cathedral of San Vigilio, known as the city’s Duomo and Buonconsiglio castle, but also the Thun Palace, Nettuno Fountain, and Mura Vanghiane. Depending on your interests, we could include a ride on the funicular to have the most breathtaking views, a visit to the MUSE designed by Renzo Piano, or to the Museum of Aeronautics, created in 1927 by Giovanni Battista “Gianni” Caproni.
Transfer back to Verona, and the evening is yours to enjoy. In the summer, we suggest attending the opera at Arena, a truly magical experience!
Verona -Lugana - Desenzano - Sirmione - Verona
This morning, rendezvous with your driver and head to the scenic town of Sirmione on Lake Garda, about a 45-minute drive from Verona. Today you will enjoy some fantastic white wines at two of the most beautiful producers in the Lugana appellation, such as Cà Maiol and Tenuta Roveglia. Lugana is one of Italy’s lesser-known gems producing wines using the native grape Turbiana. You will taste the best elegant, structured, and delicious wines the estates make.
Next, transfer to Desenzano to an excellent Michelin starred restaurant right on the lake. Next, transfer to Desenzano to an excellent Michelin starred restaurant right on the lake. At this Michelin starred eatery, the cuisine is inspired and creative. Enjoy a Gastronomic Tasting Menu paired with wines; this is a real highlight. Enjoy a Gastronomic Tasting Menu paired with wines; this is a real highlight.
After lunch, enjoy a tour of the lake on a private motor launch- you will see the Castello Scaligero, the villa where Maria Callas lived, the Grotte di Catullo. Also, you will get to see “Liberty” style Villa, which Mussolini used to meet his mistress, Claretta Petacci. On to the picturesque port of Sirmione via Punta San Vigilio, where you can enjoy an aperitif. You will also get spectacular views on the route of Baia Delle Sirene (Mermaid´s Bay), and Golfo di Garda (Villa Canossa).
Your driver will be waiting for you to take you back to Verona. Tonight you probably won’t be starving after the incredible lunch you’ve had, so check out some of Verona’s convivial wine bars for a light dinner. We highly suggest Antica Bottega del Vino and its fantastic wine cellar, boasting a selection of the most famous wines in the world.
Verona - Soave - Colli Berici - Vicenza - Verona
Today you will visit two wine regions east of Verona: Soave and Colli Berici. Soave produces white wine based on Garganega grape; it is a dry, buttery, and light-bodied wine that improves with aging. In Colli Berici DOC, you have an extensive wide range of wine (dry red, white, and rosè wines; sparkling and sweet, dried-grape like passito).
The first winery of the day will be Coffele, a historical winery founded in 1928, in the center of the medieval town of Soave. You will meet the family and taste their best expressions of Soave wines.
Next is Inama, a high quality, family-run estate. Stefano Imana and his sons brought Soave back to its ancient splendor, both in quality and success. They use old winemaking methods blended with modern technology to produce excellent wines, which are benchmarks for the region. In Colli Berici, they make red wines, and the production focuses on Cabernet, Merlot (grown in the area for over 150 years), and Carmenère grapes.
You will enjoy a vineyard walk, an aperitif on a terrace among vines, and at the winery a full tasting of his single vineyards Soave Classico, Sauvignon, Carmenère and a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.
After a full morning of wine tastings, the next destination is Vicenza, architecture geek’s dream. For the buildings and villas designed by 16th-century classicist architect Andrea Palladio. fter a quick bite in one of the quaint cafès in Piazza dei Signori, you are ready to meet your private guide. You will visit the Basilica, The Rotonda and Teatro Olimpico, and listen to anecdotes and myths about this town.
After returning to Verona, take some time to relax and freshen up before your farewell dinner. For your last evening in Verona, we chose a unique 2 Michelin starred restaurant with a spectacular open kitchen, fantastic tasting menu, and an intimate atmosphere.
Verona
After a full breakfast at your hotel and at your preferred time, your chauffeur will pick you up for your transfer to your next port of call. This concludes your gourmet food and wine break in Verona and the wine regions of Valpolicella, Trento, Soave, Colli Berici, and Lugana. We hope to see you again!
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.