Horseback riding and wine tasting

Saddle up for wine country. This four-hour private outing combines an active horseback ride through the vineyards near Custoza with a relaxed tasting at a family-run winery. I like the mix of movement and food: you spend about an hour in the saddle, then slow down over local wines, homemade cheese, and salami. I also like that you help prepare and brush the horse, rather than simply climbing on for a short ride.

The main consideration is that this is not a passive horseback excursion. The horses are lively and you must listen closely, stay alert, and take part in controlling your mount. At $190.63 per person, the price makes the most sense for riders who value a private experience and a proper winery visit, not just a quick trot through the countryside.

Key points at a glance

• An active 60-minute ride: Follow vineyard paths toward the hill of Custoza, with riding instruction before you set off.
• Private for your party: You do not share the activity with another group.
• A real stable experience: Help with saddling and preparation, then brush your horse and offer a snack afterward.
• Three styles of local wine: Taste white, rosé, and red wines in a family-run cellar.
• Simple regional food: Homemade cheese and salami accompany the tasting.
• A morning start: Meet at 9:15 a.m. in Villafranca di Verona and return to the same meeting point.

Why this Verona outing feels different

Many Italian horse rides are designed for people who want to sit quietly and admire the view. This one asks more of you. You get acquainted with the horse, learn basic commands, help with the tack, and stay engaged throughout the ride.

That extra involvement is the best reason to book it. You are not treated as a passenger being carried from one viewpoint to the next. You learn how the stable works and how to communicate with your horse. The horses are described as sweet and well-trained, but also happy and full of life. You need to pay attention to instructions and remain alert in the saddle.

I would not choose this activity if you want a completely effortless ride. You do not need to be an expert rider based on the information provided, and most participants can take part, but you should be comfortable listening, responding, and doing more than simply holding on.

The private format helps. Only you and your party participate, so the outing can feel more personal than a large group ride. It also means your group shares the full rhythm of the morning, from the stable work to the final wine tasting.

Meeting the horses and preparing for the ride

The morning begins at 9:15 a.m. at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni, 16, in Villafranca di Verona. The first stage is not a quick photo stop with a horse. You get introduced to the animals, prepare the equipment, and assist with saddling.

Each rider is matched with a trail horse according to height, weight, and riding experience. That matching matters. A horse suited to your size and ability should make the ride more comfortable and give you a better chance to focus on the countryside instead of worrying about the basics.

You also receive a short lesson in horse communication and control. Pay close attention here. The instructions are not filler before the main event. They prepare you to handle a horse that has energy and opinions of its own.

The stable portion gives the experience a grounded feel. You learn that a ride begins before the saddle and ends after you dismount. You also have a chance to form a connection with the horse before heading out, which can make the hour on the trail feel less like a staged activity.

Riding through the vineyards toward Custoza

The horseback portion lasts about 60 minutes. The route passes through beautiful vineyards and heads toward the hill of Custoza, giving you a close view of the countryside around Verona.

Custoza is also known for its white wine, so the ride and tasting belong together rather than feeling like two unrelated activities. You see the area where the grapes are grown, then visit a winery to learn how they become wine.

The ride should suit you if you want a taste of rural Italy without giving up most of your day. Four hours is long enough to include preparation, riding, the winery visit, and time with the horse afterward, but short enough to fit beside sightseeing in Verona.

The active nature of the route is worth stressing. You must listen to the riding instructions and stay alert during the outing. That can be a pleasure for someone with some riding confidence, but it may feel demanding if you expected a slow, fully guided procession.

The countryside setting is the main visual reward. Instead of viewing vineyards from a car window, you move through them at horse speed. You notice the paths and open green views more directly, with time to look around without rushing from one stop to another.

Inside the family-run winery

After the ride, you visit a family-run winery with views across the surrounding countryside. The setting adds a personal touch that large commercial tasting rooms often lack, although the available details do not specify the winery’s name or the exact number of people involved.

You walk into the cellar, where the old barrels provide the classic wine-making atmosphere. The smell of the wood is part of the experience. Here you learn about the winery’s history and production techniques, so the tasting is not just a series of glasses placed in front of you.

The winery visit also gives your legs a break. After an hour of riding and the stable work, sitting down with food and wine provides a useful change of pace. I like this balance. The outing does not force you to spend four straight hours in the saddle.

The tasting includes white, rosé, and red wines, giving you a broad sample of the winery’s main production. The exact labels are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a named vintage or a particular bottle. The point is to taste the range and learn how local wine is made.

The wine has been a major highlight for many people who booked the experience. One particularly enthusiastic rating praised all three wines and suggested ordering a case afterward. That is a strong sign for wine lovers, though personal taste always matters more than any score.

Cheese, salami, and a proper pause

The wines are served with homemade cheese and salami. This is a modest but important detail. Food keeps the tasting from becoming an empty exercise in sipping, and it gives you a chance to compare the wines with familiar regional flavors.

The pairing also adds value to the price. You are paying for more than transport between a stable and a tasting room. The morning includes instruction, horse preparation, riding, a cellar visit, wine education, several wines, and a food plate.

The available information does not list the exact cheeses, salami, portions, or wine quantities. You should think of this as a tasting accompaniment rather than a full lunch. If you need a substantial meal afterward, plan for one separately.

The family setting and homemade food are likely to appeal to you if you prefer small-scale local experiences over polished, high-volume tourism. The experience keeps the focus on the place, the horses, and the products made nearby.

Finishing with the horse, not just the wine

After the ride and tasting, you return to the horse. You can brush the animal and give it a snack, which brings the activity back to its starting point.

This final step is easy to overlook, but it helps explain why the experience feels more complete than a standard trail ride. You take part in the care routine instead of walking away as soon as the riding ends.

If you enjoy animals, this may be one of the most memorable parts. It also gives you time to settle down after the ride and say goodbye properly. The description does not specify the type of snack or how long this final moment lasts, so expect a short stable activity rather than a full lesson in horse care.

The tour ends back at the original meeting point. That return arrangement is useful, particularly if you have plans in Villafranca afterward.

Is $190.63 a fair price?

At $190.63 per person, this is not a budget horseback ride. The cost is easier to justify when you use the full program: private participation, horse matching, preparation, instruction, about an hour of riding, a family winery, cellar access, three wine styles, cheese, and salami.

A cheaper ride might offer more time on horseback but no wine visit. A basic winery tasting might cost less but would not include the stable work and countryside route. Here, you are paying for the combination.

The private format is especially important when judging value. If you are traveling as a couple or small group and want a more personal outing, the price may feel reasonable. If you only want a quick look at vineyards from horseback, it may feel high.

The strongest value comes for people who genuinely like both horses and wine. If you care deeply about only one of those activities, half the experience may not justify the price. You should also remember that the outing lasts approximately four hours, not a full day.

Timing, transport, and practical planning

The meeting point is near public transportation, but the information does not provide a private pickup from central Verona. Plan your route to Piazzetta Lino Tosoni in advance and allow enough time to arrive for the 9:15 a.m. start.

One person had difficulty finding a taxi and ended up walking four miles to the ranch. That is a useful warning. Taxi availability may not be dependable, so you should not assume you can arrange a last-minute ride from the train station or town center.

The same person received help from winery staff with the return journey to town so they could catch a train. That kind gesture is encouraging, but it should not replace your own transport plan. Ask for clear directions before the morning begins and leave extra time if you have a train or another fixed appointment.

The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is offered in English. The tour is private, but the minimum number of participants must be met for it to run.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The standard booking terms are strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment yourself.

Children are not accepted. The activity is best suited to adults who can follow instructions and stay focused around lively horses. Most participants can take part, but the description makes clear that active attention is necessary.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A private morning outside Verona
• A real connection with horses, including grooming and preparation
• A countryside ride that lasts about an hour
• A small family winery rather than a large tasting room
• White, rosé, and red wine in one tasting
• Food with the wine
• An English-language experience
• A combination of gentle adventure and local food culture

I would think twice if you want a completely relaxed ride with little instruction. I would also be cautious if you have a tight train schedule, dislike planning transport, or want a full meal rather than cheese and salami.

The score of 4.8 from six ratings reflects strong satisfaction, especially with the horses, winery, and wine selection. The praise is not hard to understand. The horses sound well cared for, the stable team is friendly, and the winery adds a pleasant second act to the ride.

Should you book the horseback ride and wine tasting?

Book it if the phrase horse and wine sounds like an ideal morning rather than an odd combination. The ride gives you active time in the Custoza vineyards, while the winery offers a slower hour of wine, food, and countryside views. The chance to help prepare and brush the horse makes the experience feel personal.

Skip it if you want a low-effort trail ride, a child-friendly outing, or a flexible cancellation policy. Also make a transport plan before booking, especially if you need to catch a train.

For the right person, $190.63 buys a distinctive half-day near Verona: saddle work, vineyard paths, a family cellar, three types of wine, and a plate of local food. That is a fair deal when you want the full combination and are ready to participate.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

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

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately four hours, including horse preparation, about 60 minutes of riding, the winery visit, wine tasting, and time with the horse afterward.

What wines are included?

The tasting includes local white, rosé, and red wines.

Is food included?

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

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your party participates in the private tour.