The vineyards of Valpolicella begin almost at the edge of Verona, climbing the gentle hills and valleys north of the city towards the Lessini mountains. This is one of Italy’s great red wine regions, and its most famous wine, Amarone, is made in an unusual way: the grapes are dried for months after the harvest before they are pressed, which concentrates the sugars and gives a rich, powerful wine. The same area makes Valpolicella Classico, a lighter everyday red, Ripasso, which is refermented on the Amarone skins, and Recioto, a sweet wine. Visiting a winery here is personal and relaxed, often with the family who make the wine, and the drive itself, past villas, stone villages and terraced slopes, is a pleasure. Without a car it is hard to reach the cellars, and you would not want to drive after tasting anyway, which is why a small-group tour from the city works so well.
How the tour works: the tour we link to starts in the centre of Verona at 14:30 and lasts about four hours. A guide drives you by private transport into Valpolicella, where you visit two wineries and taste at each, with local products paired with the Amarone at the first stop. Groups are capped at eight guests, so there is time to ask questions, and the guide speaks English. The meeting point is Via Teatro Ristori, a short walk from Piazza Bra and Castelvecchio.
What you will learn: how the grapes are dried in airy lofts after the harvest, why Amarone is aged for years before release, and how the different styles of Valpolicella relate to one another. Tasting them side by side is the clearest way to understand the region, and most wineries will ship bottles home or sell them to take away.
Good to know: the harvest is in early autumn and the drying of the grapes continues through the winter, so late autumn is a lovely time to visit, with the vines turning gold. Eat a proper lunch beforehand, as the food served is a tasting rather than a meal. Book at least a day ahead, and you can cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before the tour.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group afternoon tour by private transport to two Valpolicella wineries, with a guided visit and tasting at each.
Best time
Autumn, when the vines turn gold and the grapes are drying for Amarone, or a clear spring afternoon among the new leaves.
How long
About four hours from the 14:30 start, returning to Verona in the early evening.
Tips
Have lunch first, book at least a day ahead and bring a bag that can carry a bottle or two if you plan to buy.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wine lovers and anyone curious about Amarone who wants to taste it where it is made without driving.
- Families
- This is an adults-focused tour built around tasting, so it is best saved for a trip without children.
- Couples
- A relaxed afternoon among the vineyards, tasting with the winemakers, is one of the nicest things to do together near Verona.
- Pair with
- The guided food tour in Verona for a full taste of the region, and dinner with risotto all’Amarone back in town.
- Time needed
- An afternoon, so you can sightsee in Verona in the morning.
Good questions
What is Amarone?+
Amarone is a rich red wine from Valpolicella made from grapes dried for months after the harvest. The drying concentrates flavour and sugar, giving a powerful wine.
How far is Valpolicella from Verona?+
The Valpolicella hills begin just north-west of the city, and the main wine villages are a short drive away. The tour includes transport from central Verona.
How many wineries does the tour visit?+
It visits two wineries, with a tasting at each. Local products are paired with the Amarone at the first stop.
Is food included on the wine tour?+
Only a tasting of local products at the first winery. Have lunch before the 14:30 start.
Can children join the Amarone tour?+
The tour is built around wine tasting and suits adults best. Families are better served by the Lake Garda day trip.
