Horseback riding in Verona is a rare combo.

This 4-hour countryside experience mixes a guided trail ride with a family-run winery in Custoza, so you get motion, views, and wine without feeling rushed. I like that the horses come with real care and planning: you get matched based on weight, height, and experience, then you help with saddling and learn the basics before you go.

The only real drawback is weather. This tour will not take place in bad weather conditions, so have a little flexibility if the forecast looks ugly.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Small group (max 6): more attention from your guide and smoother time with the horses and winery.
• Horse matching by you: they match each rider to a trail horse using weight, height, and experience level.
• Two-part format: you ride, taste at a winery, then ride again, with the tasting built into the middle.
• Custoza wine tasting with food: white, rosé, and red wines paired with homemade cheese and salami.
• Hands-on horse time: you not only ride, you also brush your horse and give a snack after.

Horseback Ride Meets a Real Winery in Custoza

If you’re trying to do Verona that feels more local than sightseeing buses, this kind of day works. You trade city streets for vineyard paths, then step into a cellar where the focus is wine and technique, not performance.

What makes it interesting is the pacing. It is not just a quick tasting and a photo op. You start with time learning how the horse and gear work, then you ride for about an hour through vineyards up toward the hill of Custoza. After that, you switch gears to the winery for a structured tasting paired with classic local bites.

Also, you get the benefit of small-group attention. With a limit of 6 participants, you’re less likely to feel like you’re waiting in the background while the action happens for someone else. That matters when horses and timing are involved.

Start Where the Day Actually Begins: Verona In Tour Meeting Point

Your day begins back at the meeting point, and the exact location is emailed to you before arrival. That’s a small detail, but it helps you avoid the common first-day problem in Verona: showing up to the right area and still not being sure where to check in.

Because you’re starting at Verona In Tour – Travel Experiences, it also helps to keep your timing tight. Plan to arrive a little early so you can settle before the horse session starts. Once you’re in the flow, you’ll want your head clear for the matching and safety briefing.

The tour guide leads in English and Italian, so you can follow instructions without playing guess-the-motion. If you prefer one language, it’s nice to know both are supported.

Getting Matched With Your Trail Horse (And Why It Matters)

Before you ever mount, you get acquainted with the horses and the gear. The day includes hands-on prep too: you assist with saddling and help get the horse ready for the ride. It’s not just you arriving and being handed a horse like a prop.

You also get a basic lesson in horse care and handling. The key part for first-timers is the matching system: riders are matched perfectly with one of the trail horses based on weight, height, and level of experience. That’s practical. The wrong fit can make a ride feel tense; the right fit makes everything smoother, from comfort to control.

Even if you’ve ridden before, you’ll likely appreciate the calm focus on basics. Horses are living animals with their own reactions, and this setup signals that the day is built for guidance, not bravado.

The Vineyard Ride: Time in the Vines Up Toward Custoza

Now for the part you came for: time on horseback through vineyards. The experience describes about 60 minutes of riding through the countryside, with the route going up to the hill of Custoza. You’ll see the green countryside from a slower angle than you can get from a car or a walking tour.

This is also where your earlier prep pays off. If you spent the first part learning how things work, you spend the ride more relaxed and less focused on figuring out what’s happening. You’re still along for a guided trail, but you’re not totally passive.

One practical point: the tour requires long pants. Wear them, and consider that you’ll want to be comfortable moving your legs around. Sticking to the requirement is part of staying safe and enjoying the ride without irritation.

Walk Into the Cellar: What the Winery Visit Feels Like

After the first ride segment, you shift from open air to the winery. You walk into the cellar, surrounded by the unmistakable smell of old barrels. That sensory detail is exactly the kind of thing that makes winery visits more real than just looking at bottles on a shelf.

You’ll also learn about winemaking techniques. The experience doesn’t market it as deep technical training, but it does promise interesting ideas and explanations from the family-run operation. For me, that’s the sweet spot: enough information to understand what you’re tasting, not so much that it becomes a lecture.

The family-run aspect matters because you’re not only there for product. You’re there for process and personality. Even if you’re not a wine expert, learning how the winery thinks about its wines makes the tasting more meaningful.

Wine Tasting With Homemade Cheese and Salami

Here’s where the day turns into a proper meal-like tasting. You’ll taste a selection of the winery’s most produced wines: white, rosé, and red. Then the wines are paired with homemade cheese and salami, which keeps it grounded and snackable.

Pairing wine with food is a fast way to learn how flavors work together. Creamy or salty bites can change how a wine tastes in your mouth. Salami adds a savory edge; cheese adds fat and texture. Put those together and suddenly the tasting feels less like sipping and more like comparing experiences.

If you’re wondering what to expect flavor-wise, you can’t assume a style from just the grape name here. What you can assume is structure: you’ll taste multiple wines in a guided, paired format, and you’ll have enough food to keep the tasting comfortable.

Also note the rules: no alcohol is allowed beyond what’s provided in the tasting, and drugs are not allowed. It’s one of those details that keeps the day safe and focused.

Second Horse Ride + Caring for Your Horse Afterward

One of the clever parts of this experience is that it’s not a single ride-and-leave. After the winery tasting and food stop, you head back out for more time on horseback. The itinerary shows two horseback riding blocks separated by the winery visit.

That second riding stretch changes the feel of the day. The first time on a horse is about getting settled. The second time is more about enjoying the ride while the early nerves have mostly worn off.

After your riding is done, you don’t just dismount and disappear. You’ll brush your horse and give it a snack. That small wrap-up changes the tone from commercial to respectful. It’s a reminder you’re sharing the day with an animal that needs basic care, not just transportation.

Price and What Makes It Worth $186.92 Per Person

At $186.92 per person, you’re paying for a full guided day: horse handling and riding time, a guided winery and cellar visit, and a tasting that includes multiple wines plus homemade cheese and salami. You’re also covered by insurance included in the activity.

If you tried to build this yourself, the cost would likely creep quickly. Horses require trained staff and time; wineries require access and a guided tasting format; and combining both in one afternoon is the convenience piece you’re buying.

What helps this price feel more reasonable is the small group size. With up to 6 participants, your guide isn’t splitting attention across a crowd. You’re also getting the structured horse matching step, which is not something you get from random trail options.

So I’d frame the cost as paying for coordination plus safety plus a real tasting experience—not just a ride with a glass at the end.

Who This Verona Horse and Wine Tour Fits Best

This tour suits you best if you want a Verona day that feels rural and hands-on. The horseback portion is built for guided instruction, with riders matched to horses based on real factors. That makes it a good fit for many experience levels, not only hardcore riders.

It also fits if you like food-and-wine travel that goes beyond tasting notes. The pairing with homemade cheese and salami makes the wine portion feel like part of the experience, not an add-on.

Two limits to keep in mind:

• It is not suitable for wheelchair users.
• It will not run in bad weather, so if your schedule is tight, you’ll want a backup plan for that day.

Practical Tips to Make the Day Go Smoothly

A few small things can make a big difference on a horse and winery day.

• Wear long pants as required. Think comfort and movement, not just style.
• Follow the guide’s instructions for saddling and horse handling. This is the part that keeps everyone relaxed.
• If you don’t know a lot about wine, that’s fine. You’ll taste white, rosé, and red and learn about winemaking techniques, which gives you a foundation for what you’re noticing.
• Keep alcohol expectations realistic. The experience includes wine tasting, but you’re not meant to bring outside alcohol.

And do yourself a favor: plan to be fully present for the winery walk-in moment. The cellar smell of old barrels and the simple explanation of how they make the wines are exactly what you’ll remember later.

Should You Book This Verona Horseback Riding and Wine Tasting?

I’d recommend booking if you want an active Verona day that doesn’t feel like a checklist. The small-group format, the horse matching system, and the combination of riding plus a real family-run cellar tasting make it feel like more than a single attraction.

If your idea of travel is very weather-dependent-free and you hate schedule changes, you might pause. The tour won’t take place in bad weather, so you’ll need a bit of flexibility.

Overall, this is a strong choice for couples or small groups who want countryside time, want to taste local wines with food, and are happy to trade quick photos for a guided, hands-on afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the Verona horseback riding and wine tasting experience?

It runs for 4 hours total. Starting times vary, so you’ll want to check availability for the schedule.

What’s included in the wine tasting and food?

You’ll taste a selection of Custoza wines (white, rosé, and red) paired with homemade cheese and salami. A tour guide leads the tasting.

Do I need prior horseback riding experience?

You do not need to be an expert. Riders are matched with a trail horse based on weight, height, and experience level, and you’ll get a basic lesson and guidance before riding.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring long pants, since they’re required. You’ll also follow the guide’s instructions for getting ready with the horses and gear.

What language is the live tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English and Italian.

Can I get a refund if the weather or my plans change?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Also, the tour will not take place in bad weather conditions.

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