Verona has a way of turning a normal day into a slower one. This horseback riding and wine tasting outing takes you out toward the vineyards and up to the hill of Custoza, then brings you back for a real winery visit. I like that you get a basic horse match and safety setup first, then you’re actually riding through grape country instead of just standing around. I also like the pairing: Custoza wines served alongside homemade cheese and salami, not just a generic tasting flight.

One thing to plan around: the tour won’t run in bad weather, so it’s best to book when you have some flexibility.

Key Things I’d Focus On Before You Go

• Small group (max 6) keeps the horse experience personal and easier to manage.
• Horse matching by height/weight/experience means you’re less likely to feel out of place on day one.
• Family-run winery visit in Custoza includes a walk into the cellar and time learning how they make wine.
• Tasting with homemade food pairs white, rosé, and red wines with cheese and salami.
• Extra care time after riding includes brushing your horse and giving a snack.

Getting Matched With Your Trail Horse in Verona

The day starts with practical attention to you and the horses. Before anyone puts you in the saddle, you’ll get geared up and help with basics like saddling and prepping the horse for the ride. If you’ve never been on a trail before, that early hands-on moment matters. It turns the experience from I’m just getting carried along into I understand how this works.

Then you’re matched with a trail horse based on weight, height, and your level of experience. That’s a simple detail, but it’s a big deal. Horses on a guided route still need the rider to be comfortable and appropriately sized. So this tour is designed to reduce awkwardness and help you feel more in control right away.

Plan to wear long pants. You’ll be in and around tack and walking on uneven ground. Also, the tour is not wheelchair friendly, so think about how you’ll handle stairs or uneven paths on a farm setting.

The Main Ride: Vineyards and the Hill of Custoza

You’ll spend the ride time moving through vineyards and toward the hill of Custoza. The tour description mentions about 60 minutes of riding through the vineyards, and the schedule shows horse time in two separate blocks. In practice, that usually means part of the overall “horse riding” duration is briefing, getting situated, and then the actual trail portion.

What you’re looking for here is not arena riding. This is slow-country trail riding: guided movement through grape rows with a view that feels like it belongs in a postcard, but without the crowds you get in town. The guide keeps the group together and helps you get comfortable with basic movement and handling while you’re on the horse.

A practical tip: expect to learn by doing. Even if you’ve ridden before, the tour is set up so you’ll get a basic introduction to riding and horse behavior on-site, then move out as a group.

Stop at a Family-Run Winery: Cellar Smells and Winemaking Talk

After you’ve ridden, you head to a family-run winery in Custoza. This is one of the parts that makes the day feel authentic rather than scripted. You’re not just doing a quick sip-and-go. You walk into the winery space and spend time in the wine cellar, where you can literally smell the old barrels. That’s the kind of sensory detail that helps you understand the wine beyond the glass.

You’ll also learn about winemaking techniques. The exact methods aren’t listed line-by-line, but the important bit is that the tour includes explanation inside the cellar environment, not only tasting at a table. That means you get context while you’re surrounded by how the wine is made and stored.

The winery stop also includes views of the green countryside. Even when you’re not looking hard for a photo, you’ll feel the change in pace as the day turns from outdoor trail to indoor production.

Wine Tasting With Cheese and Salami: What You’ll Actually Try

The tasting is built around Custoza wines and food pairings. You’ll sample their most-produced wines, including white, rosé, and red, and each tasting is paired with homemade cheese and salami.

This is a smart approach for two reasons.

First, pairing food with wine makes it easier to notice how flavors change. Salami brings salt and richness, and cheese does its job too. That gives you a clearer idea of what you like, rather than judging wine in a vacuum.

Second, the tour doesn’t force you into a fancy, complicated sequence. You can focus on what you’re tasting and how it feels with the food. If you’re the type who likes discovering a region by its everyday products, this hits that sweet spot.

One more practical note: the tour explicitly says no alcohol and drugs. That means the wine tasting is part of the organized experience, and you shouldn’t plan to bring anything additional.

The Flow of the Day: Two Horse Riding Blocks, One Winery Block

Your itinerary is set up like a loop: ride, then taste, then ride again. Here’s how the schedule reads:

• Start at Verona In Tour – Travel Experiences
• Head to Custoza for horse riding
• Return for wine tasting and food tasting
• Then head back to horse riding before finishing back at the meeting point

This structure matters because it keeps you from feeling “done” after the first ride. You get a real rhythm: outdoors movement, a winery education and tasting, then more time with the horses.

One slight thing to keep in mind: the day includes two horse riding time slots, while the ride description mentions about 60 minutes through vineyards. That doesn’t mean you’re shorted—it usually means some of the riding duration includes preparation and walking time, and the main trail portion is roughly an hour.

After the Saddle: Brush Your Horse and Give a Snack

At the end, you don’t just walk away. You’ll have time to brush your horse and give it a snack. That part might sound small, but it changes the tone. It’s a quick way to show respect for the animal and to help you end the experience on a calmer note.

Also, it’s a nice break after the excitement of riding. You’re not rushing out to catch a train. You’re finishing the day at a steady pace, with a final hands-on moment tied to the care and connection that trail riding requires.

Price and Value: Is $186.92 a Fair Deal?

At $186.92 per person for about 4 hours, this isn’t a cheap throw-in activity, so it helps to think in terms of what you’re paying for.

You’re paying for:

• A small group capped at 6
• A guided setup that includes matching you with a horse by experience and body details
• Horse handling support (including saddling/prep guidance)
• Time riding in the Verona countryside vineyards
• A family winery visit with cellar learning
• A tasting that includes white, rosé, and red plus homemade cheese and salami
• Insurance and a live guide (English and Italian)

If you compare this to typical wine tastings in town, you’re also getting the “how did they do that” factor of the horse component, plus the environment outside the city. If you want a simple tasting with no physical activity, the cost may feel high. If you want an experience that mixes countryside riding and food-and-wine pairing in a guided small group, it starts to feel like fair value.

Who This Verona Tour Fits Best

This is a great match if you want a day that feels different from Verona’s classic sightseeing loop. I’d put it on your shortlist if you’re into:

• Hands-on travel, like learning basic horse routines and caring for the animal after
• Wine experiences that include cellar time and explanation, not just sipping at a table
• A small-group pace where you’re not lost in a crowd

It may not be the best fit if you:

• Need wheelchair accessibility (the tour is not suitable)
• Expect indoor-only plans as a backup (bad weather can cancel it)

If you’re traveling as a couple or a small group and you want one memorable “countryside” block between city days, this is exactly that kind of activity.

Booking Call: Should You Book This One?

If your idea of a perfect Verona day includes vineyards, horses, and a real winery stop, I’d book. The combination of horse matching, guided riding through Custoza area views, and a tasting paired with homemade cheese and salami makes this feel like more than two separate activities stitched together.

Also, because the group is capped at 6, you’ll likely get more attention with horse handling and tasting flow than you would with a bigger tour.

The main reason to hesitate is weather. If you’re in town during a week with uncertain conditions, choose dates that give you options.

FAQ

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

The duration is listed as 4 hours (with starting times depending on availability).

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a tour guide, horse riding, a selection of cheese and salami, wine tasting, and insurance.

How many people are in the group?

It’s a small group limited to 6 participants.

What do I need to bring?

You should bring long pants.

Is alcohol included in the tour?

Wine tasting is included, but the tour also states that alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Will the tour run in bad weather?

No. The tour will not take place in bad weather conditions.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you’re a first-time rider. I can help you judge how well this fits your schedule and comfort level.