The Grand tour of Valpolicella: 2 Wineries, Lunch & Amarone focus

Amarone is the star here, but the best part of this half-day is getting to see how the wine connects to its place. You’ll travel about 20 minutes from Verona into Valpolicella, meet the people who make the wine and taste several local styles, from Valpolicella and Ripasso to Amarone and Recioto.

I like the two winery visits, which give you more than a quick tasting-room stop, and the meal of local dishes paired with wine in an intimate winery setting. One thing to check before booking: the tour promises two wineries, but its route description names three villages and describes an afternoon winery visit, so confirm the planned number of winery stops.

What to know before you book

• Amarone gets special attention: Taste Amarone DOCG from different vintages, alongside other Valpolicella wines and some limited-edition IGT bottles.
• Winemakers do the explaining: At the wineries, you can hear about production from the people who make the wine, not only from your driver.
• Lunch is part of the wine experience: Expect regional dishes such as bruschetta, grilled polenta, charcuterie, a main course and sweets, with the exact menu changing by season.
• The group is capped at 12: A small group makes it easier to ask questions and take your time at the tasting table.
• The drive is short, the scenery is a bonus: Valpolicella is about 20 minutes from Verona, with panoramic stops planned along the way.
• Food needs advance notice: The wineries are not restaurants, and alternatives for food intolerances cannot be promised if you do not advise the operator in advance.

A short ride from Verona, a different pace

The tour starts at 10:00 am at Piazza Bra, 28, in central Verona, and returns to the same meeting point. The outing lasts about five hours, so it can fit neatly into a Verona stay without taking your whole day.

Transport is by private vehicle or Mercedes minivan, with a maximum group size of 12. The compact group and door-to-door ride matter here: the wineries are spread across the region, and you can enjoy the tastings without having to drive.

Valpolicella is known for more than Amarone. The region also produces Valpolicella wines, Ripasso and Recioto, a sweet wine described as the forebear of Amarone. Tasting these styles side by side gives you a useful sense of how local grapes and winemaking choices can produce very different wines.

The tour is led by a certified local driver, while winery hosts explain their wines and production. A separate guide is listed as not included, so don’t assume that a dedicated wine guide will accompany you at every point. The hosts are an important part of the experience: the visit is designed to put you in direct contact with producers.

Past tour guides have included Sara, Diana, Jacobo, Laura and Virginia, but no particular person is guaranteed. The strongest accounts of this outing praise guides for explaining the area and making the day relaxed and informative. Still, the most detailed wine instruction may come from the winery staff themselves, which is often exactly where you want it.

Marano di Valpolicella: start with the wine

The first stop is in Marano di Valpolicella, where the tour introduces the vineyards, local traditions and winemaking methods. The description calls for time among the vines and a chance to hear stories from the producers. It is a good place to ask how Valpolicella wines differ, and what makes Amarone distinct.

The tasting focuses on prized wines and limited-edition Amarone. Other tastings may include Valpolicella, Ripasso, Recioto and IGT wines. The exact bottles and number of pours are not fixed, though tastings can be generous. Some past itineraries have included around a dozen wines, and one included 19, so pace yourself and drink water if it is offered.

The first winery can be the most instructive stop. Producers have been praised for explaining the wine in detail, and one host, Davide at Eleva, was singled out for giving a lively mini masterclass. That is a useful hint about the tour’s appeal: you are not simply buying a flight of wine. You can ask the person who made it why a particular wine tastes the way it does.

There is no admission fee listed for this stop, but the winery visit and tastings are included in the tour price. The value comes from access and context: learning about the wine while standing in the region where it is produced is more memorable than tasting the same labels without an explanation.

San Giorgio: lunch in a historic winery

The next named stop is San Giorgio di Valpolicella, where lunch is served at a winery dating to the 1500s. The setting is described as intimate, with food built around regional ingredients and local wine. Menus vary with the season, so treat the listed dishes as examples rather than a fixed promise.

Expect items such as homemade bruschetta, grilled polenta, DOP charcuterie and cheeses, homemade mustards, a main dish from Veronese cuisine, chocolate, cookies or traditional cake. Wines are paired with the food, including Amarone with dark chocolate and Recioto with cake. The listing describes lunch both as a light traditional meal and as selected charcuterie with dishes and sweets, so it is wiser to expect a substantial tasting lunch than a formal restaurant meal.

This is a welcome pause after the first tasting, and one of the strongest reasons to book the tour rather than arrange two winery visits on your own. Food gives your palate a reset, while the pairings show how local wine works at the table. The winery hosts are also part of the meal, so you can continue asking about production and the family’s approach.

Keep expectations practical. These are wineries, not restaurants, and the food is served in a winery setting rather than through a restaurant-style menu. If you have an allergy or intolerance, tell the operator before the tour. The stated policy says the wineries may not be able to provide an alternative if you do not give advance notice.

Sant’Ambrogio: vines, grapes and a grappa toast

The route also describes an afternoon visit in Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella. Here, the focus is a vineyard walk and a look at indigenous grape varieties, followed by a tasting and a grappa toast. This stop offers another angle on the region: rather than only comparing wines in a glass, you get a chance to connect them to the grapes and growing conditions.

There is a small point to settle before you pay. The tour title and included features promise visits to two wineries, but the itinerary names three villages and describes winery activity at each. Some versions of the day may include a different number of stops. Ask the operator what the current route includes, especially if the number of winery visits is a deciding factor.

Panoramic stops are also part of the day, giving you time to photograph the hills. They are a worthwhile counterpoint to tasting rooms, and the region’s views are a real part of the experience. The driving is short enough that the countryside feels accessible from Verona, yet you still get a change of scene from the city.

What Amarone adds to the day

Amarone is the central theme, and the special tasting of different DOCG vintages is the most distinctive feature. Comparing vintages can help you notice how the same wine style changes over time. You may also taste limited-edition IGT wines, which broaden the picture beyond the region’s best-known bottles.

The tour also introduces Ripasso and Recioto. In practical terms, this gives you a small education in the range of Valpolicella wines, rather than leaving you with the impression that the region produces only one famous red. Recioto is sweet, while Ripasso offers another style to compare with Amarone and Valpolicella.

The wine education is hands-on. You hear from producers, walk among vines and, depending on the visit, see how the wine is made. Some past outings have included a very small producer and a larger property, an appealing contrast if that pairing is part of your scheduled route. Winery selection can vary, though, so don’t book expecting a specific estate unless the operator confirms it.

A door-to-door wine-shipping service is offered during the tour. That is useful if you find a bottle or case you want to bring home, especially after sampling wines that may be difficult to find elsewhere. Shipping costs and delivery details are not specified, so ask the wineries or driver before placing an order.

Is $272.21 a fair price?

At $272.21 per person, this is not a bargain-basement tasting. But the price includes transport from Verona, a certified local driver, visits to two wineries, tastings, a winery lunch, snacks and panoramic stops. It also covers the convenience of getting between estates without driving yourself.

The price makes more sense if you want a full half-day with a mix of wine instruction, food and countryside. You are paying for the transport and the producer visits as much as for the wine itself. If you only want a glass or two of Amarone, a tasting room in Verona may be cheaper. If you want to understand the region and taste across several styles, the added structure has real value.

The group limit of 12 helps, too. At a larger tasting, questions can get lost in the room. Here, there is a better chance to speak with the host and keep the day personal, though actual group size may be smaller.

The tour is popular enough that it is booked, on average, 65 days ahead. If you have a particular date in mind, don’t leave it until the last minute. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and a minimum number of participants is required for the tour to run.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This is a strong fit if you enjoy wine but are not already an expert. You can ask basic questions without needing to know the vocabulary, and the different styles provide a useful introduction to Valpolicella. It also suits wine fans who already know Amarone and want to taste it at the source.

Food-minded visitors will appreciate the lunch and regional pairings. The meal is not a restaurant experience, but it is an important part of the day, served in a winery setting with local dishes and wine. If you have strict dietary needs, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the kitchen can adapt.

The tour is also a sensible choice for anyone who would rather leave driving and route planning to someone else. You get transport from central Verona, stops in the countryside and a return to the same meeting point. The overall format is relaxed, but five hours of tastings and food may feel long if wine is not a real interest.

Should you book the Valpolicella tour?

Book it if you want a practical, well-rounded introduction to Amarone and the wines around it, with direct access to winemakers, a regional lunch and transport from Verona. Its best qualities are the producer-led explanations, the chance to taste different styles and vintages, and the combination of winery time with countryside views.

Before booking, ask whether your departure includes two wineries or a third winery stop, and confirm the lunch format if you have dietary requirements. If those details suit you, this is a worthwhile way to spend a half-day outside Verona, especially if you want to taste seriously without turning the outing into a driving project.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Piazza Bra, 28, in Verona, at 10:00 am. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The approximate duration is five hours.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

The tour title and included features promise visits to two wineries. The route also names three villages and describes winery visits at those locations, so confirm the planned number of winery stops with the operator.

What food is included?

The winery lunch may include bruschetta, grilled polenta, regional charcuterie and cheeses, a Veronese main dish, and sweets. Menus are seasonal, and food is served in a winery rather than a restaurant.

Are wine shipping services available?

Yes. A door-to-door wine-shipping service is offered during the tour. Shipping prices and delivery details are not provided.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted.