Tasting With Snacks And Views

Tasting with Snacks and Views, 1.5 hours, rated 4.9 across 711 traveller reviews.

Overview

Corte San Mattia is a working organic farm in the hills of Verona, near the city center, and this 1.5-hour experience starts with a guided walk through the vineyards and winery before settling in for the main event. The tour runs in English and starts at the farm itself on Via Santa Giuliana, with no pickup or transport included.

The tasting covers five organic wines: Bianco Veronese, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Superiore, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore and Amarone. Four of the five are reds, and together they map the classic Veronese lineup. A board of cold cuts and cheeses comes alongside, and the farm itself also makes olive oil, goat cheese, eggs, fruit, vegetables and honey.

The setting is a big part of the draw. Tastings happen on a panoramic terrace or in the villa's garden, both looking out over the city and the surrounding hills. It works well for anyone who wants a short, relaxed introduction to Valpolicella wines without a full-day commitment, and one reviewer singled it out as especially good for couples.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Corte San MattiaMake your own way to Corte San Mattia, Via Santa Giuliana 2/a, Verona. Transport to the farm is not included.
2. Vineyard guided tourA guide walks you through the vineyards and the winery, explaining how the organic wines are made. This portion lasts 30 minutes.
3. Wine tasting at the viewpointMove to the panoramic terrace or the villa's garden for a 1-hour tasting of five organic wines paired with cold cuts and cheeses.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points help this visit run smoothly, from getting there to what the tasting itself involves.

• Getting there. There is no pickup, so plan the journey to the farm yourself. One reviewer described taking the 95 bus from outside Castelvecchio, about 15 minutes, followed by a short walk, while another found the bus easy and another took a taxi back with help from reception. Having a return plan sorted is wise.
• Pace and terrain. The experience is casual rather than strenuous, with a short guided walk through the vineyards and winery followed by an hour of tasting. Several reviewers described it as relaxing, and one appreciated that there was no rush to leave at the end.
• Food and drink. Five wines are poured, four of them reds, alongside a charcuterie and cheese board. One reviewer called the portions well judged. Report any food allergies in advance.
• Who it suits. Tastings are reserved for people of legal drinking age, as alcohol cannot be served to anyone under 18. One reviewer found it especially good for couples.
• Views. The terrace and garden both look out over Verona and the hills, and reviewers repeatedly single out the view. One reviewer went as far as saying the view alone is worth the money.
• Guides. Guide enthusiasm comes up again and again in reviews, with several travellers praising how much they learned about winemaking. Expect an informative, guided format throughout.

Common issues. The main friction point is transport: the summary of traveller feedback notes that clearer directions for getting there, and help arranging return taxis, would improve things, though some reviewers found the bus straightforward and others had reception order a taxi without trouble. Tasting is limited to those 18 and over, so families with children cannot take part in the wine service. The listing also asks that any food allergies or special needs be reported in advance.

Common Questions