Horseback riding and wine tasting

The best part of this Verona outing is the pairing of active horseback riding with a proper visit to a small winery. You are not simply led around on a sleepy horse, then dropped at a tasting room. You help prepare the animal, learn the basics of handling it, ride through vineyards toward Custoza, and finish by brushing and feeding your horse.

I like the private format, since your party gets the guide’s attention rather than being folded into a large group. I also like the food pairing: local wine comes with homemade cheese and salami, which makes the cellar visit feel like a small country meal. The main consideration is that these horses are lively, so you need to listen, stay alert, and take an active role in the ride.

Key points before you book

• About 60 minutes on horseback: The route passes through vineyards and climbs toward the hills of Custoza.
• A hands-on riding experience: You help with saddling, learn basic commands, and control your horse during the ride.
• Three styles of local wine: Expect white, rosè, and red wines served with cheese and salami.
• A family-run winery: You visit the cellar, see old barrels, and learn about local production methods.
• Private for your group: Only your party participates, which is useful for first-time riders.
• Plan your arrival carefully: The meeting point is in Villafranca di Verona, and one past booking involved a long walk when no taxi was available.

From Villafranca to the vineyards of Custoza

This experience begins at 9:15 am at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni 16 in Villafranca di Verona. That is outside Verona’s central sightseeing zone, so check your route before the morning of the ride. The activity returns to the same meeting point after about four hours.

The first stage is not a quick photo opportunity beside a horse. You meet the animals, get acquainted with the equipment, and help prepare the horses for the trail. That small bit of work matters. It gives you time to understand the animal you will ride and lets the guide match each person with a suitable horse based on height, weight, and riding experience.

You also receive a basic lesson in horse talk and control. The details are simple, but they are useful. You will need to listen to directions and stay aware of what your horse is doing. This is especially important because the horses are described as sweet and well-trained, but also happy and full of life.

That combination makes the outing more engaging than a standard ride where you only sit in the saddle. It also means this may not suit someone hoping for a completely passive activity. You should be comfortable following instructions and handling a horse as part of a group.

An active hour on horseback

The ride lasts about 60 minutes and heads through the vineyards toward the hills of Custoza. The setting is a good match for horseback travel. You move at a slower pace than you would in a car, with time to notice the rows of vines and the open green countryside around the route.

The ride is not presented as an advanced equestrian lesson. You do not need to arrive as an experienced rider, since each horse is matched to your ability. Still, the instructions make clear that attention is required. This is not the best choice if you dislike animals that respond to movement, voice, and rein control.

For a first-time rider, the private setup is valuable. Your group can ask questions without holding up a large party, and the instructor can focus on helping you get comfortable. If one person in your group rides regularly and another is new to horses, the private format should also make it easier to explain the basics at a sensible pace.

The route leads up toward Custoza, a hilly area in the countryside south of Lake Garda and near Verona. The experience does not promise a long trek, so keep your expectations realistic. The riding portion is about an hour, not a full-day expedition. Its appeal comes from the combination of countryside, horses, and wine rather than from covering a great distance.

Entering a family winery in Custoza

After the ride, you visit a family-run winery with views across the surrounding countryside. The change of pace works well: first you are outside and active, then you settle in for a tasting and a look at how the wine is made.

You walk into the wine cellar, where the smell of old barrels becomes part of the experience. This is more useful than a tasting that only places bottles on a table. You get some context about the winery and learn about its production techniques, including how the wines are handled from vineyard to cellar.

The tasting includes the winery’s most produced wines in three styles: white, rosè, and red. That range gives you a clearer sense of the local selection than a tasting limited to one bottle. Custoza is known for white wine, so the white is likely to be the natural focus, but the inclusion of rosè and red gives the session more variety.

The wines are served with homemade cheese and salami. That is an important part of the value. A tasting with food feels less rushed and gives you a chance to compare the wines with simple local flavors. It also makes this a more satisfying mid-morning stop than a few small sips without anything to eat.

You should not expect a formal gourmet meal. The food is a selection of cheese and salami, intended to accompany the tasting. If you want a full lunch afterward, plan for that separately.

Finishing with the horse, not just the wine

One thoughtful detail comes after the winery visit. You can brush your horse and give it a snack once the ride is over. That creates a proper ending to the riding portion and gives you time to settle down after the trail.

For many people, this may be the most memorable part. Preparing and caring for the horse helps you see the animal as more than transport. It also gives children a natural role in an equestrian outing, though children are not permitted on this activity, so this is designed for adults or eligible older participants rather than families with young kids.

The grooming time also helps separate this ride from a standard tourist horse trek. You have responsibilities before and after the ride, not only during it. If you enjoy animals and want a little more involvement, that hands-on element adds real value.

What the $190.63 price gets you

At $190.63 per person, this is not a budget way to see Verona’s countryside. You are paying for a private activity lasting about four hours, horse preparation, instruction, roughly an hour of riding, a winery visit, several wines, and food.

The price makes more sense if you are traveling as a couple or a small private party and want one experience that combines several activities. Booking a riding lesson, countryside excursion, winery visit, and tasting separately could take more planning and transport. Here, the elements are joined into one morning.

The strongest value comes from the private group arrangement and the amount of personal involvement. If you only want to taste wine, a winery visit alone should cost less. If you want a long horseback trek, this may feel short. But if you want a compact outing that includes both riding and wine, the structure is convenient.

The wine tasting has also received particularly strong praise, with the three wines described as memorable enough to inspire interest in ordering a case. That does not mean every palate will agree, but it suggests the tasting is not treated as an afterthought to the ride.

Getting to the meeting point

The meeting point is at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni 16 in Villafranca di Verona. The activity ends there as well. The area is near public transportation, but the practical details deserve attention because the ride takes place outside central Verona.

Do not assume a taxi will always be waiting when you need one. One couple had to walk about four miles to reach the ranch because no taxi was available. A winery staff member later helped them return to town for their train, which was generous, but you should not build your schedule around receiving that kind of help.

If you have a train to catch, leave a generous buffer after the planned end of the tour. The activity lasts about four hours, and the ride, grooming, tasting, and return to the meeting point all take time. The experience is best booked on a morning when you can stay flexible rather than immediately before a tight rail connection.

The mobile ticket makes entry simple once you arrive. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is offered in English.

Weather, fitness, and riding ability

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that number is not reached, you are offered another date or experience or a full refund.

The activity is suitable for most people who can participate in a standard outdoor riding experience, but the description makes one point clear: you must be alert. The horses are lively, even though they are friendly and trained. Listen carefully to the guide, follow the instructions, and be ready to do more than sit still.

You may want to think twice if you have never ridden and feel nervous around active animals. That does not automatically rule you out, since the horses are matched to your experience and a basic lesson is included. It does mean you should approach the ride with attention rather than treating it as a passive sightseeing stop.

Comfortable clothing suitable for horseback riding and outdoor conditions is the sensible choice. The supplied details do not specify a dress code or equipment list, so ask the provider if you need information about footwear or what is supplied.

Who will enjoy this Verona outing

I would choose this for a couple, a small group of friends, or an adult family group that wants a countryside morning with some physical activity. It suits people who like animals, local wine, and experiences that include a little practical work.

It is especially appealing if you are tired of city sightseeing and want to see the area around Verona at a slower pace. The vineyard route and Custoza views provide a clear change from churches, piazzas, and museum interiors.

It is less suitable for someone looking only for a polished wine tasting. The horses are central to the experience, and the riding requires attention. It is also not suitable for children, as the activity specifically states no bambini.

Wine enthusiasts should appreciate the chance to compare white, rosè, and red wines in one sitting. Those who care more about the riding will like the preparation, horse matching, and grooming afterward. The best fit is someone who wants both parts rather than viewing one as an inconvenience before the other.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a private, active morning that combines vineyards, horses, and a family winery. The strongest reasons are the personal format, the hands-on horse care, and the tasting of three wines with cheese and salami.

Skip it if you want a long horseback journey, a fully passive ride, or a quick stop that requires almost no planning. Pay special attention to the Villafranca meeting point and allow extra time if you need to catch a train afterward.

For the right person, this offers a memorable way to leave Verona’s center and see its wine country at ground level. Just arrive ready to listen, stay alert in the saddle, and take the wine tasting as one half of the outing rather than the whole point.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding and wine tasting begin?

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

What time does the activity start?

The start time is 9:15 am.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

How long is the horseback ride?

The ride lasts about 60 minutes.

Where does the horseback ride go?

The route passes through vineyards and heads toward the hills of Custoza.

What wines are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes white, rosè, and red wines from the family-run winery.

Is food included with the wine?

Yes. The wine is paired with a selection of cheese and salami.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.