Valpolicella Wine Tasting Tour: Amarone & Countryside

Sip Amarone amid rolling vineyards and the quiet charm of San Giorgio di Valpolicella.

A half-day wine tour from Verona that takes you into the Valpolicella countryside by minivan, stops at the 12th-century hamlet of San Giorgio di Valpolicella, and ends with a tasting of the region's full range of wines—Valpolicella, Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto—led by an English-speaking sommelier in a local cellar. Transport, tastings and snacks are included; the tour runs around 3.5 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Half day wine tour in Valpolicella

• Welcome guests at Verona store
• Visit Medieval parish church of San Giorgio
• Taste Valpolicella wines including Amarone

The Experience

The tour starts at the Pagus store in Verona, where your English-speaking sommelier guide meets you before you board an air-conditioned minivan for the drive into the hills. The route itself is the first lesson: you'll see the panoramic sweep of vineyards and rolling terrain that makes Valpolicella distinct, and the guide explains the history and character of the region as you travel. This is not a rushed hop between stops—the countryside is part of what you're tasting.

A stop at San Giorgio di Valpolicella breaks the drive. The hamlet sits on the list of Italy's most beautiful villages, and your guide will show you the Medieval parish church, built in the 12th century on the foundation of a Roman temple. The Romanesque architecture is one of the most significant in Northern Italy, and seeing it in context—surrounded by the same vineyards the region has cultivated for centuries—anchors what you'll taste later.

The cellar tasting is where the tour settles. You'll taste the entire DOC and DOCG range: Valpolicella, Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto. The sommelier walks you through each wine's character and how the grapes, the drying process and the aging shape what's in your glass. The cellar stays at a constant 15 degrees Celsius, so bring a sweater. Snacks come with the tasting. If you have any food or wine allergies, or if you need to catch a train or make a dinner reservation after, let the operator know when you book—they'll work to keep the schedule tight.

What’s included

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan from Verona.
• visit to the medieval hamlet and 12th-century church of San Giorgio di Valpolicella.
• wine tasting of the full Valpolicella DOC and DOCG range (Valpolicella, Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto) in a local cellar.
• snacks.
• English-speaking sommelier guide.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pagus Wine Tours®

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a sommelier-led tasting of the full Valpolicella range in a cellar setting, rather than self-guided vineyard exploration.

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Top questions

What's the difference between Amarone and Ripasso if they're both from Valpolicella?

Amarone is made from grapes dried for months before pressing, which concentrates the sugars and creates a fuller, richer wine; Ripasso is a younger Valpolicella wine that has been re-fermented on the skins left over from Amarone production, giving it more body than regular Valpolicella but less intensity than Amarone itself. The sommelier will walk you through both during the tasting.

How long does the tour actually take, and when does it start?

The tour runs around 3.5 hours total, starting at the Pagus store in Verona. The operator asks that you arrive on time; if you're running late, they'll wait a maximum of 15 minutes before departing.

Is San Giorgio di Valpolicella actually worth the stop, or is it just a quick photo?

San Giorgio is a designated Most Beautiful Hamlet of Italy and home to a 12th-century Romanesque church built on a Roman temple foundation—your guide will show you the architecture and explain its place in the region's history. It's a real stop, not a drive-by.

What should I wear for a wine cellar visit in the middle of a warm day?

Bring a sweater or light jacket. The cellar maintains a constant temperature of 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit), which is much cooler than the countryside outside. Comfortable shoes or sneakers are also recommended if the guide is able to show you the vineyards.

Does the tour include lunch, or just tastings and snacks?

The tour includes snacks with the wine tasting in the cellar. If you'd prefer a full meal experience, you can arrange that separately with the operator when you book—they can coordinate a lunch at a local restaurant if you request it.

Can I buy wine at the end of the tour?

Yes. The tour starts at the Pagus store in Verona, where you can buy wines from the regions you visit at cellar prices, along with local products. You can also purchase after the tasting if you want to take home bottles you've tried.