Four glasses, one great lesson. In central Como, this small-group tasting at Capitan Drake turns a casual stop into a real lesson in Italian wine, with pours matched to local snacks. You’ll get a sommelier-led run-through of Italian and world wines and what to look for in each glass.

I especially like that the pairing is built for your palate, not just your camera roll. The tasting includes a classic mix board with prosciutto crudo, cheese, and buffalo mozzarella, plus tasting notes so you can remember the details later. And because the group tops out at 12, it stays talk-friendly.

One thing to consider: there’s an option to upgrade for more wines, and sessions can feel slightly different depending on what your table is paying for. If you’re curious, ask at the start what the standard pours include for your booking, and whether the upgrade is available for your session.

Key things you’ll notice right away

• A sommelier’s guided pours, with varietal explanations, winery context, and pairing advice you can actually use later.
• A proper snack plate, built around Italian staples like prosciutto crudo, cheese selections, and buffalo mozzarella.
• 4–5 glasses included, with an upgrade option that can raise it to a 7-wine experience.
• Tasting notes for home, so the wine names and flavor cues don’t vanish the moment you walk back outside.
• A small, friendly room (max 12), where it’s easy to chat with other wine lovers without feeling rushed.
• Wine you can buy and ship, meaning you can bring a bottle or two back without carrying weight all day.

Capitan Drake in Como: the vibe and why location matters

Capitan Drake sits in Como city center, so this works well when you want something focused without losing your whole afternoon. The setup is straightforward: you meet, the tasting starts a few minutes after, and then you’re seated and guided through the wines and pairings.

The feel is part wine bar, part classroom. It’s not stiff. Think comfortable pacing, clear explanations, and staff who answer questions without acting like you’re slowing the lesson down.

This is also a practical pick for travelers who don’t want to hunt for a wine shop that might be closed later. You’re going at a scheduled time, with a built-in food pairing, and a cap to group size (12 max). That combination usually equals less waiting and more tasting time.

The wine lineup: 4 pours, tasting notes, and the option for more

This experience is priced at $79.24 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes. For that time window, you’re not just sampling one wine and moving on. You’re doing a structured tasting with multiple pours, so you leave with a sense of how styles differ, and how food changes what you taste.

The standard format includes 4–5 glasses of wine. The sommelier explains each wine’s varietal and gives tasting notes to take away, which is huge if you want to recreate the experience later or shop intelligently when you get home.

There’s also mention of an optional upgrade for more wines. One review reply clarifies that the team asks if you want to upgrade to a 7-wine option, and the first part of the tasting is the same before any extra pours. If you’re a true wine binge-type person, it’s worth asking upfront whether that upgrade is available during your session.

Cheese, prosciutto, and buffalo mozzarella: your built-in pairing lesson

The food isn’t an afterthought. You get a mix board designed to complement the wine, not just fill a plate. The key items listed are prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella, along with typical Italian snacks.

Here’s why that pairing matters for your taste education: salty cured meat (like prosciutto crudo) can sharpen fruit flavors in lighter reds, while creamy cheese can soften harsh edges and help you notice texture. Buffalo mozzarella, with its fresh, milky character, can also act like a palate reset between different wine styles.

Come hungry in a good way. The snacks are substantial enough that the tasting feels like a mini meal rather than a sip-and-snack. And if your session includes dessert elements, you might find extra treats such as homemade tiramisu and a dessert wine, which has shown up in recent feedback.

The sommelier method: how they teach without turning it into a lecture

The tasting centers on a professional sommelier who walks you through each pour and explains what you’re smelling and tasting. You’re not asked to memorize a wine exam. Instead, the host focuses on practical cues: grape origins, what’s happening in the winemaking, and how to match the wine to food.

Names you may hear include Sandu (also seen as Sandal in feedback), Giuseppe, and Simona. Regardless of who’s guiding you that day, the common thread in the comments is clear: the staff makes wine approachable, and they keep the pacing friendly enough for people with different levels of experience.

If you’re worried about feeling out of place, don’t. One review highlights that even with close to zero wine knowledge, the experience still feels welcoming. That’s the best sign of all: the teaching adjusts to the room.

Also pay attention to the tasting notes. When you’re drinking and listening at the same time, it’s easy to forget names. The notes help you reconnect the dots later, especially if you want to remember which regions and styles you liked most.

What the 1 hour 30 minutes feels like in real life

This is a single-stop experience with the action centered at Capitan Drake. You meet at the address on Via Francesco Benzi, then the tasting starts a few minutes after meeting time, so give yourself a little buffer.

In practice, the flow tends to be:

• Wine introductions and tasting notes
• Pour, small palate reset with the snacks
• Pairing guidance and answers to questions
• Optional extra pours depending on whether you upgrade

Because it’s designed around pairing, you’re usually not stuck waiting through long speeches. And because the group is limited to 12, you can actually ask questions without shouting over a crowd.

One timing-related note: the end of the formal tasting is around the stated duration, but you’re not forced into a hard stop the second the last pour lands. Some feedback even suggests you can sit and finish at your pace, as long as you’re still engaged with the session.

Price and value: is $79.24 worth it in Como?

For $79.24, you get a full, guided tasting with 4–5 glasses plus a real snack plate featuring Italian staples. You’re also getting tasting notes, plus a host who explains wine style and pairing choices.

That combination usually beats the value you get from doing it “DIY” because DIY often means:

• trying to find a shop with the right wines at the right time,
• paying for tasting items that aren’t paired well,
• and spending mental energy translating wine descriptions without help.

Here, the structure already does the work for you. And if you end up liking the wines enough to buy bottles, the operator offers worldwide shipping, which can turn your tasting into a souvenir you’ll actually use.

The only real cost-factor to consider is that tips and any extra bottles are separate, and upgrades cost extra if you want the larger 7-wine format. If you know you want only the standard tasting, you can keep spending predictable.

Who this is best for (and when it might not fit)

This fits best if you want:

• an easy, guided way to understand Italian wine styles,
• a food-and-wine pairing experience that feels like more than a snack,
• a small-group setting that’s social but not chaotic.

It’s also a solid choice if you’ll be in Como for a short window and want something scheduled in the city center. The meeting point is easy enough to reach with public transport nearby, and it’s offered in English.

When it might feel less ideal is if you’re very sensitive to uniformity at the table. One feedback note mentioned a situation where seating with another group led to different numbers of wines served, which felt awkward for everyone until it was clarified how the upgrade works. If you care about everyone getting the exact same pours, check the format right at the start so you know what to expect.

Should you book Taste of Lake Como in 2026?

If you like wine but don’t want to turn your vacation into a self-directed study project, I’d book this. The big wins are the pairing structure, the sommelier-led explanations, the tasting notes you take home, and the small-group limit that keeps it conversational.

I’d especially book if you’re the type who likes to come home with specific preferences—like which Italian regions you want to revisit when shopping later—and not just vague memories of flavors. And the ability to buy and ship wine worldwide makes it a practical add-on, not just a one-night activity.

The only reason to hesitate is if you want zero discussion about options and upgrades. If that’s you, ask a quick question up front: how many pours are included in your booking, and whether there’s an upgrade on the table.

FAQ

FAQ

How many wines are included?

The standard tasting includes a selection of 4–5 glasses of wine. There is also an optional upgrade mentioned for a larger 7-wine option.

What food comes with the tasting?

You’ll get a typical Italian snack board, including prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella, along with other items as part of the mix board.

How long is the experience?

The tasting lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tasting in Como?

You meet at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi, 19, 22100 Como.

Can I buy wine after the tasting and ship it home?

Yes. Wines are available for purchase after the experience, and worldwide shipping is offered.

What’s the cancellation deadline for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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