Valpolicella: Amarone Wine Tour, 2 Wineries & Lunch

Summary

Verona hills wine tasting with real producers and local lunch

You’ll meet Valpolicella winemakers on their own land, sample Amarone straight from the barrel, and share a rustic Veronese lunch inside a centuries-old cellar. Expect laughter over local words, rich flavors paired with chocolate, and vineyard walks where tradition comes alive under golden hills.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if Amarone really tastes different when you’re standing in the middle of those Valpolicella hills? I did — so we left Verona behind (it’s only about 20 minutes) and found ourselves winding through these green slopes that honestly looked like they belonged in an old painting. Our guide, Chiara, kept laughing at my pronunciation of “Recioto” — apparently I have a way of making every Italian word sound French. She told us stories about her grandfather picking grapes here, which made the place feel less like a postcard and more like someone’s backyard.

The first winery felt almost too quiet at first, just birds and the soft crunch underfoot as we walked between rows of vines. The winemaker met us with hands still stained from harvest — he poured us Amarone straight from the barrel, saying something about “patience” in Italian that I half-understood but could taste in the wine. There was this deep smell of dried cherries and wood; I tried to write it down but just ended up sipping more. We tasted some limited-edition bottles — one was so earthy it reminded me of autumn leaves after rain.

Lunch happened at the second winery, inside this old cellar where sunlight came in all sideways through tiny windows. Plates started appearing: grilled polenta, homemade bruschetta with new olive oil (that stuff is peppery!), salami that snapped when you bit it. Someone passed around dark chocolate to go with another pour of Amarone — honestly, I didn’t expect that combo but now I’m ruined for regular desserts. Conversation drifted between English and Italian, laughter echoing off stone walls. At some point the winemaker’s dog wandered through looking for crumbs.

Later we walked out among the vines again — learning about grape varieties I’d never heard of (Corvina? Rondinella?) while the afternoon light turned everything gold. We finished with a tiny glass of grappa; Chiara toasted “alla prossima!” and I realized I’d probably remember this day every time I see a bottle of Valpolicella back home. It wasn’t perfect or fancy — but it felt real, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Valpolicella wineries and wine tasting

• Drive from Verona to Valpolicella
• Visit first winery and meet producers
• Taste prized wines including Amarone
• Visit second winery for lunch and wine
• Enjoy homemade bruschetta and polenta
• Walk vineyards and learn grape varieties
• Wine tasting and grappa toast

Top questions

How far is Valpolicella from Verona?

Valpolicella is about a 20-minute drive from Verona.

Is lunch included on this Valpolicella wine tour?

Yes, a traditional Veronese light lunch is served at the second winery.

Do you meet actual winemakers during the tour?

Yes, you meet and talk directly with local producers at both wineries.

What wines are tasted on this Amarone wine tour?

You’ll taste Amarone DOCG in different vintages plus limited edition IGT wines.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

Dishes are seasonal and mainly based on local charcuterie; dietary needs must be communicated in advance.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip to Valpolicella?

The tour includes pickup by private vehicle or Mercedes minivan.

Can you buy or ship wine during the tour?

A door-to-door wine shipping service is offered during the tour.

How many wineries do you visit on this tour?

The itinerary includes visits to two outstanding wineries in Valpolicella.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by private vehicle or Mercedes minivan from Verona, guided visits to two family-run wineries with tastings of Amarone DOCG across different vintages plus limited-edition wines, a traditional Veronese light lunch served inside an intimate wine cellar (with homemade bruschetta, grilled polenta, charcuterie DOP, sweets), EVOO tasting on bruschetta, panoramic vineyard stops for photos along the Amarone hills, and all tastings led by certified local guides before returning in the afternoon.