Verona to Valpolicella: Amarone & Ripasso Wine Tasting Tour

Summary

Valpolicella’s rolling vineyards, Amarone pours, family cellars and laughter

You’ll travel from Verona into Valpolicella’s rolling hills with a local guide, tasting Amarone and Ripasso at two small family wineries. Meet winemakers who share their stories over pours in cool cellars, sample local cheese and breadsticks, and soak up vineyard views along winding roads. It’s relaxed but quietly moving — there’s something special about tasting wine where it’s made.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Verona in a van just after lunch — the city behind us, the hills ahead. I could smell a bit of earth through the window as we wound past olive groves and those neat rows of vines that seem to go on forever. Our guide, Elena, chatted about her grandfather’s vineyard stories (she swears he could taste rain coming), which made me grin because my own grandpa always claimed the same thing about tomatoes. Anyway, we stopped at this first winery tucked between cypress trees, and right away you could tell it was family-run — someone’s nonna was hanging laundry in the yard. The air inside the cellar was cool and smelled faintly like crushed cherries and old wood.

The winemaker (I think his name was Marco?) showed us around with this quiet pride — he tapped a barrel and said something in Italian I didn’t catch, but Elena translated: “He says patience is more important than grapes.” We tasted their Amarone — honestly, it was richer than I expected, almost velvety. They served it with these salty little cheeses and breadsticks that crumbled everywhere (I’m still finding crumbs in my bag). There was this moment where everyone just went silent for a second after sipping — not planned or anything, just… good wine does that sometimes.

After that we drove deeper into Valpolicella for our second stop. The road got narrower and the sun started dipping behind some low clouds; everything looked washed gold. The next winery felt even smaller — more like someone’s home than a business. Their Ripasso had this wild berry thing going on; I tried to describe it but gave up and just laughed with the owner’s daughter when she offered me another pour. She told us how her family’s been here for generations — you could see old photos on the wall next to racks of bottles. It all felt personal in a way I didn’t expect from a day trip from Verona.

I keep thinking about that quiet moment in the cellar — just us, barrels stacked up around like sentinels, everyone holding their glass up to the light. If you’re into wine or just want an afternoon outside Verona that feels real (and includes pickup so you don’t have to worry about driving), this is one of those tours you’ll remember for reasons you can’t quite put into words.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Valpolicella wine tour and tastings

• Meet guide in Verona
• Travel by air-conditioned van
• Explore Valpolicella hills and vineyards
• Visit first family-run winery
• Tour wine cellar and learn production
• Taste Amarone and local products
• Take photos of cellar and vineyards
• Visit second family-run winery
• Hear winery family story
• Taste and compare local wines

Top questions

How long is the Valpolicella & Amarone wine tour from Verona?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours from start to finish.

Are wine tastings included at both wineries?

Yes, you’ll have guided tastings at both traditional Valpolicella wineries.

Is transportation provided for this day trip from Verona?

Private transportation by air-conditioned van is included throughout the tour.

What wines will I taste on this tour?

You’ll taste Amarone, Ripasso, and other local Valpolicella wines at each stop.

Are snacks or food pairings part of the experience?

Yes, tastings are paired with local products like cheese and breadsticks.

Is hotel pickup available for this tour?

The tour includes group pickup in central Verona; check details when booking.

Can children join? Is there an age limit for tastings?

Youth under 18 can join but cannot participate in wine tastings; minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Will there be time to take photos in the vineyards?

Yes, there are opportunities for photos at both wineries and among the vineyards.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from Verona with group pickup, visits to two family-run wineries in Valpolicella with guided cellar tours and tastings of Amarone and Ripasso wines paired with regional snacks like cheese and breadsticks before returning comfortably to town.