Horses and wine, on the same itinerary. This private Verona outing pairs a guided trail ride through the countryside with a real winery stop—cellar time, production talk, and tastings with a local food pairing. You’re matched to a horse based on your experience and body type, then you ride about 60 minutes toward the hill of Custoza.

I love how private this is, so it feels like your own pocket adventure instead of a crowded bus tour. I also like that the wine tasting goes beyond one pour: you’ll sample a lineup of white, rosè, and red, paired with cheese and salami.

One consideration: this is not the kind of Italian horse ride where you just sit there. You’ll need to stay alert, follow instructions, and actively help with controlling your horse.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Private tour for your group: more personal pacing and attention while you learn to ride.
• 60 minutes on trail: a proper countryside ride toward Custoza hill, not a quick photo stop.
• Family-run winery visit: you get cellar access and learn how they make the wines.
• Three wine styles tasted: white, rosè, and red, served with homemade cheese and salami.
• Hands-on horse care after: you can brush your horse and give a snack at the end.

Starting at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni: your Verona morning begins on the ground

The action starts at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni, 16, in Villafranca di Verona (start time 9:15 am). If you’re staying in Verona proper, plan for a short ride out—this is not deep in the center, but it’s also close enough to public transportation that you shouldn’t be totally stuck if your plans change.

Once you arrive, the tour doesn’t jump straight to riding. You’ll get properly introduced to the horses and the gear, and you’ll assist with saddling and basic prep. That matters. A horseback-and-wine tour goes smoother when you know what’s happening with tack, straps, and how to be respectful with the animal you’re about to trust for the next hour.

Also, you get the tour in English, which is a big deal when you’re learning horse control basics. You’ll want to understand every instruction before you head out.

Getting matched to the right trail horse and learning the basics

After you meet your horse and get geared up, you’ll get a basic lesson in horse talk and controlling your horse. The goal here isn’t to train you into a cowboy. It’s to make you safe and comfortable so you can actually enjoy the ride.

Each rider is matched with a trail horse based on:

• weight
• height
• level of experience

That matching system is a quiet reason this tour earns such strong marks. When you end up with a horse that fits your riding level, the whole experience feels calm instead of stressful. You’re still expected to participate—you’ll be more than a passenger—but you’re not being thrown onto a wild animal.

You’ll also do more than just hold the reins. The instruction is designed so you know what to do when your horse walks, pauses, or responds to cues. If you take the lesson seriously and stay alert, this becomes a ride you’ll remember for the right reasons.

60 minutes through vineyards to the Custoza hill

The ride itself lasts about 60 minutes, taking you through vineyards and up toward the hill of Custoza. This is the part that most people picture when they think of a countryside horseback outing: open views, slow trail movement, and a change of pace from the city.

Here’s what makes this one different from a typical sit-and-ponny experience. The horses are described as sweet, well-trained, and full of life. Still, you will have to do more than sit there. You’ll need to listen to instructions and be alert during the ride.

In practical terms, that means:

• keep your attention on the trail and your horse’s cues
• respond to guidance from the staff
• don’t tune out because the scenery is pretty

One more tip: wear shoes with a solid sole and plan for time outdoors. Even on a gentle trail, you’re on a horse ride. You’ll be happiest if your feet feel secure and you can move comfortably when you’re getting on, off, and adjusting around the tack.

The family winery: cellar smells, production techniques, and a real tour

After the ride, you head to a family-run winery. This is where the experience turns from scenic to educational. You’ll learn about the winery’s history and winemaking techniques, then you walk into the wine cellar.

That cellar visit comes with a very specific sensory detail: the smell of old barrels is part of the experience. It’s one of those simple things that makes wine feel real instead of abstract. You’re standing where the work happens, seeing the environment that shapes the finished bottles.

The winery stop also includes stunning views of the green countryside. It’s not just backdrop. It’s a reminder that this isn’t a random tasting room set up for tourists. It’s tied to the land you just rode through.

You’ll taste their local white wine first, giving you a baseline flavor before the broader tasting set.

Wine tasting lineup: white, rosè, red with homemade cheese and salami

The tasting portion is built around a simple idea: taste more than one kind of wine, and pair it with local food you can actually chew and savor.

You’ll sample the winery’s most produced wines, including:

• white
• rosè
• red

Each wine is paired with homemade cheese and salami. This is where the experience tends to win people over. It’s not only about drinking. It’s about balance—salt and fat from the salami and cheese make the wine taste clearer, more focused, and easier to understand.

From the feedback, the three-wine variety is a standout. People specifically call out the tasting as some of the best they had on the trip, and that tracks with what you’re actually offered here: multiple styles, not just one safe pour.

If you’re the type who likes to compare wines side by side, this format is friendly. You can pick what you like and why, instead of leaving with only one opinion.

After the ride: brush your horse and give a snack

One of the nicest closing touches is what happens after the tasting: you can brush your horse and give a snack. It’s a small moment, but it changes how you leave.

Instead of feeling like you rented an animal for an hour and moved on, you end the experience with a bit of respectful care. It also helps you put a final exclamation point on the animal side of the day, which is what makes this outing feel like a full experience rather than a quick add-on to wine.

Price and value: what $190.63 per person covers (and why it feels fair)

At $190.63 per person for about 4 hours, this isn’t a budget activity. But the value is in the mix.

You’re paying for:

• a private tour for your group
• guided riding prep and instruction
• a real trail ride of about 60 minutes
• a winery visit with cellar time
• multiple wine tastings (white, rosè, red)
• pairing with cheese and salami
• time to care for your horse at the end

For Verona, a private horseback + winery day is a lot to pack into one morning. If you’re trying to choose between doing a winery tasting alone and adding a horseback experience later (with separate transport and separate costs), bundling them here often feels smarter.

Also, because it’s private, you’re not sharing your attention with a big group. That matters on horseback, where instruction and pacing really affect how enjoyable the ride is.

Practical tips for a smoother morning (especially with transport)

A small caution based on real-world experience: don’t assume taxis will be waiting. One account mentioned having to walk a long distance because taxis weren’t available, and the staff stepped in to help get them back to town to catch a train. That’s kind of them, but it’s also a sign to plan with buffer time.

Here’s how you can reduce stress:

• arrive early enough that a late pickup doesn’t derail your schedule
• if you’re connecting to public transportation or a train, leave extra time afterward
• confirm how you’ll get back to your next stop before you start the morning

The start point is near public transportation, which helps. Still, once you’re out in the countryside area, your return plan matters.

Who should book this Verona horseback and wine tour?

This tour is best for you if you want:

• an actual horseback experience with instruction, not just a novelty photo
• a winery stop that includes tasting and cellar context
• a small, private feel for a day trip

It’s also a good fit if you like to compare wines: tasting white, rosè, and red in one sitting gives you more useful takeaways than sampling just one bottle.

Two groups should think carefully:

• If you want a totally hands-off ride, this isn’t that. You’ll need to listen and help control your horse.
• If you’re traveling with children, note that the activity lists no children (no bambini).

If you match the ride style—alert, cooperative, and comfortable following directions—this day is the kind that turns into a highlight without feeling like forced fun.

Should you book this tour?

If you’re choosing between a standard wine tasting and an experience that adds real countryside time, I’d lean toward booking this. The pairing is strong: vineyard ride up toward Custoza hill, then cellar access and a three-wine lineup with cheese and salami.

The biggest reason to consider it seriously is the overall attention to the ride itself: you get matched properly, you receive instruction, and the whole day is built around doing the activity, not hovering around it.

Just go in knowing you’ll participate on horseback. If you can do that, you’re likely to come away with the kind of story people still talk about weeks later.

FAQ

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

How long is the horseback riding portion?

The ride lasts about 60 minutes.

What wine styles are included in the tasting?

You’ll taste a selection of the winery’s most produced wines: white, rosè, and red.

Does the tasting include food?

Yes. The wines are paired with a selection of homemade cheese and salami.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Where do we meet?

The meeting point is Piazzetta Lino Tosoni, 16, 37069 Villafranca di Verona VR, Italy, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If it’s canceled due to weather or because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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