Wine tasting on Bologna hills: Guided by the winemaker

Taste four wines straight from the vineyard where they're made

A guided wine tasting at Manaresi, a small family estate in the Bologna hills, where you taste four wines (white, rosé and red) on a terrace or in the cellar among oak casks, with the owner or winemaker as your guide. The experience includes a walk through the vineyards and winery, a short explanation of the winemaking process, and bottled water and snacks. The tour runs 2.5 hours and requires a minimum age of 18.

The experience

What makes this different from a standard wine bar is that you're tasting at the source. Manaresi is a 50,000-bottle family operation, and most visits are guided by Fabio or Donatella (the owner and winemaker themselves), who walk you through the vineyards and into the winery to show you how the wines are actually made. You'll see the oak casks where the reds age and hear the details of what goes into each bottle, then move to the tasting itself.

The four wines you taste are all estate-bottled: a Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto (sparkling and still), a Bologna Bianco 270, a Merlot, and a choice of reds including the Bologna Rosso Controllee, Barbera Flora Italica, or Rosato. The tasting happens on an open terrace overlooking the vineyard or inside the old cellar, depending on the weather or your preference. Bottled water and snacks come with it, so you're not tasting on an empty stomach.

The estate itself has a secondary reputation in design (the wine labels have won international awards), so there's a visual side to the experience beyond the tasting. The whole thing takes about two and a half hours, and the hills around Bologna are accessible by public transportation if you're not driving.

What’s included

• Guided visit to the vineyards and winery with explanation of the winemaking process.
• tasting of four estate wines (white, rosé, red).
• bottled water.
• snacks.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday, Friday and SaturdayDepartures at 15:00 and 17:00

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Manaresi

Is this one for you?The guide is English-speaking or Italian, so choose based on which language you're comfortable with. The tasting is suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair accessible, though the vineyard walk involves some uneven ground. Minimum age is 18.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What wines will I taste at Manaresi?

You taste four estate wines: a Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto (available as both sparkling and still), a Bologna Bianco 270, a Merlot, and one of three reds. The Bologna Rosso Controllee, Barbera Flora Italica, or Rosato. All are bottled at the estate.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience runs 2.5 hours, including the vineyard walk, winery visit, winemaking explanation, and the tasting itself.

Is there food included?

Bottled water and snacks are included with the tasting. The snacks pair with the wines but are not a full meal.

Can I get to Manaresi without a car?

Public transportation options are available near the estate, though you may want to check the specific routes from Bologna before you book, as the hills can require a combination of transit types.