A ride through working vineyards beats a standard tasting any day, and this one adds horse time plus a real winery visit. I especially like the private setup for your party and the hands-on way you learn to ride and control your trail horse. You’ll also get a guided tasting with cheese and salami that actually matches the wines, not just an afterthought snack. One thing to consider: this is not a sit-and-posed “tour ride,” so you need to listen closely and stay alert in the saddle.

A morning that teaches while it entertains

From the start, you’ll be matched with a suitable horse and guided through the basics—getting acquainted, gear-up, and even helping with saddling. Then you’ll move through vineyards for about an hour, end up with views up toward Custoza hill, and finish back where you started.

Private, English-friendly, and very hands-on

The tour runs about 4 hours (approx.), starts at 9:15 am, and is offered in English with a mobile ticket. It’s designed for adults and notes no children (no bambini), with most travelers able to participate as long as you’re comfortable following instructions and riding actively.

Key things to know before you go

• Private for your party: No sharing with strangers, which keeps the horse lesson calmer and more personal.
• You help with the basics: You’ll assist with saddling and get a short lesson in horse communication and control.
• Matched to your level: Horses are chosen based on weight, height, and experience level.
• A full hour ride through vineyards: You ride roughly 60 minutes toward the area of Custoza hill.
• Cellar time, not just the tasting room: You’ll walk into the cellar and learn about winemaking techniques.
• Food is part of the tasting: Homemade cheese and salami are paired with the wines you sample.

Meeting at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni: start on time, stay close

The action begins at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni, 16, 37069 Villafranca di Verona VR, Italy, with pickup starting at 9:15 am. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which is a big deal for sanity when you’re trying to fit this into a day of Roman ruins, Verona streets, or a train schedule.

This location is listed as near public transportation, so if you’re not driving, you’re not locked into taxis. Still, I’d plan your return timing with a little buffer, because part of the day runs out in the countryside and transportation can be hit-or-miss once you’re finished.

The “more than sit there” horse lesson

If you’re expecting the classic Italian horseback photo-op—sit back, look pretty, and everything happens around you—this isn’t that. The instructions say you must do more than sit: you need to listen to directions and stay alert during the ride.

Before you mount, you’ll get acquainted with the horses and the gear, including help with saddling and prep. You’ll also receive a basic lesson in horse talk—how to communicate with your horse and control your pace. This matters because it turns the ride from passive sightseeing into a guided activity where you’re part of the team.

What I like about this approach is that it reduces the “random experience” factor. Since each rider is matched to a trail horse based on weight, height, and level of experience, you’re more likely to get a horse that fits your comfort and ability.

Quick expectations for your first minutes

You should expect to:

• meet your horse and get briefed on how to handle the equipment
• learn a few key cues so you can follow the guide’s directions
• ride with active attention rather than relaxed daydreaming

If you’re uneasy around animals or hate taking instructions, this could feel like work. If you like learning and being present, it’s a big part of why the experience lands so well.

Matching your trail horse: chosen for your body and experience

Horseback riding gets better when the horse is a good match. This tour explicitly matches each rider with a trail horse based on weight, height, and level of experience. That means the guide isn’t guessing, and you’re not stuck riding someone else’s idea of fun.

The horses are described as sweet, full of life, and well-trained. That combination is what you want: responsive enough that you can steer your ride, but calm enough that the day feels safe and enjoyable.

Still, the pairing doesn’t remove the responsibility to listen. You’ll be asked to pay attention and follow instructions, which is exactly what keeps a countryside ride smooth for everyone in the group.

The ride through vineyards up toward Custoza hill

Once you’re ready, the ride takes about 60 minutes through beautiful vineyards. It’s not just a straight shot either—your route climbs up toward the hill of Custoza, which should give you those wide countryside views that make the effort feel worth it.

The timing works well in a 4-hour day because you get enough time to feel the outdoors without spending half your day in the saddle. And since the ride is private for your party, you’re less likely to get slowed down by other riders learning the basics.

What makes this route special

The vineyards aren’t a backdrop; they’re the setting for the experience. Riding through them is a different kind of wine education than standing at a counter. You feel the terrain, you notice how the land rolls, and the final cellar visit makes more sense because you’ve already seen the “why” behind the growing conditions.

Just remember: you’ll want to stay focused on your cues and your footing. The more you cooperate with the guide’s pace and instructions, the more enjoyable this stretch becomes.

The family winery: cellar smell and production techniques

After the ride, you’ll visit a family-run winery. This is where the day moves from motion to meaning. You’ll learn about the history and the production techniques used at this local winery, and you’ll get to walk into the wine cellar.

Cellar time is one of the best parts because the air changes when you step inside old barrels. You’re surrounded by the unmistakable smell of the aging vessels, and it gives you a concrete connection to what you tasted earlier in the day.

I like that this isn’t presented as a lecture-only stop. Instead, it’s tied to what you’ll drink, so you’re not just hearing facts—you’re tasting with context.

Wine tasting: white, rosé, and red with cheese and salami

The tasting includes a selection of their most produced wines: white, rosé, and red. You’ll also get pairing with homemade cheese and salami, which helps you compare flavors across the flight.

That pairing piece is worth paying attention to. Cheese and salami don’t just fill space; they change how wine tastes. Salty, fatty bites tend to sharpen fruit and texture in the glass, and they can make lighter wines like the white feel more pronounced.

Why the pairing adds value

If you’ve ever done a tasting where the food is minimal or generic, you know how easy it is to leave underwhelmed. Here, the cheese and salami are part of the plan, so you actually get to taste the wines in a more realistic, meal-like context.

And yes, the praise you’ll hear about the wines makes sense—this tour includes three wine types, and people often find themselves wanting to reorder what they liked. That’s a sign the flight is chosen to represent the winery well, not just to check boxes.

After the ride: grooming time and a horse snack

After you finish tasting, you can brush your horse and give him or her a snack. It’s a small add-on, but it changes the emotional ending of the day.

You’re not rushing out right after the wine and the photos. You’re taking a moment to close the loop—thanking the horse for doing the work and learning that the experience isn’t only about consumption and views.

If you care about animal time beyond the “ride and leave,” this is one of the most satisfying parts.

Price and value: what $190.63 buys in the real world

At $190.63 per person for roughly 4 hours, this isn’t a cheap impulse activity—and it shouldn’t be. What you’re paying for is a blended experience: horse handling and instruction plus a family winery visit plus a structured tasting with food.

Here’s the value angle that matters:

• Private guiding: Your party gets the full attention needed for a hands-on horse lesson.
• A complete “horse-to-wine” flow: You ride for about an hour, then transition directly into cellar learning and tastings.
• Multiple wines plus pairing: White, rosé, and red are included, along with homemade cheese and salami.
• Not just sightseeing: You learn production techniques and cellar context, not only how to pronounce the grape name.

If you want a simple wine tasting with a driver to follow, you’ll probably find cheaper options. If you want something more physical, more personal, and tied to the land where grapes grow, the cost feels more reasonable.

Weather, pacing, and the one drawback to plan around

This experience needs good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It’s also designed to run smoothly when conditions are right, because riding depends on the ground and safe handling.

The other practical consideration is transportation timing outside the city. In one case, someone reported walking about four miles because taxis weren’t available. Another detail that helped: winery staff arranged a return back to town for catching a train after the ride.

I can’t promise that kind of help on every day, so here’s my practical advice: plan your day so you’re not relying on a last-minute taxi or a perfect timing window. Give yourself options if trains or buses don’t line up exactly.

Who should book this horseback and wine day (and who should skip)

You’ll love this if you:

• want a private experience instead of blending into a crowd
• enjoy animals and don’t mind doing more than sitting passively
• like wine tastings with context, not only a flight and a checkmark
• are comfortable following instructions while riding

I’d think twice if you:

• want a casual, low-attention activity where you just relax
• have trouble staying alert during active instruction
• are traveling with children, since it notes no bambini

It fits best for couples and friends who want a memorable Verona-area day that combines countryside time with a winery stop. It also works for people who like learning practical things—how horses respond, how wine is produced, and how food pairing changes what you taste.

Should you book it? My decision rule

Book it if you’re excited by the idea of a working countryside day: ride for about an hour through vineyards toward Custoza, then step into a cellar and taste white, rosé, and red with cheese and salami. The private setup and the hands-on horse lesson are the big reasons to choose this over a standard winery tour.

Skip it if you want a relaxed, sit-and-smile ride with zero instruction. This one asks you to pay attention and participate.

If you’re on the fence, choose it for the mix: horses + real cellar time + a tasting that’s paired with food. That combination is the point.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding and wine tasting experience?

It runs about 4 hours (approx.).

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:15 am.

Where does the tour meet?

It meets at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni, 16, 37069 Villafranca di Verona VR, Italy.

Does the tour return to the same meeting point?

Yes, it ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.

What language is the tour offered in?

It’s offered in English.

What’s included in the wine tasting?

You’ll taste a selection of the winery’s most produced wines: white, rosé, and red. Cheese and salami are included to pair with the wines.

Do I just sit on the horse?

No. You’ll get a basic lesson and you need to do more than sit there. You’ll be expected to listen to instructions and stay alert during the ride.

What happens 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 change or cancel my booking?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.