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 family winery. You do not simply sit on a quiet horse and pose for photos. You help prepare the animal, learn how to control it, and stay alert as you ride through the vineyards toward the Custoza hills.

I like the personal feel of a private group, and I like that the winery visit goes beyond a tasting counter. You walk into the cellar, smell the old wooden barrels, hear how the wine is made, and sample white, rosé, and red wines with local cheese and salami. The main consideration is that this ride demands attention and basic confidence around horses. It is not the best pick if you want a completely passive trail ride.

Key points to know before booking

• You help prepare your horse: Meet the horses, assist with saddling, learn basic commands, and brush your horse after the ride.
• The ride lasts about 60 minutes: The route passes through vineyards toward the hill of Custoza.
• This is a private activity: Only your party participates, and the experience is offered in English.
• The tasting includes three wine styles: Expect local white, rosé, and red wines with homemade cheese and salami.
• The horses are lively but trained: You must listen carefully, follow instructions, and remain alert in the saddle.
• Plan your transport carefully: The meeting point is in Villafranca di Verona, and taxi availability may be limited.

A horseback ride with real participation

Many Italian horse outings are gentle sightseeing rides where you climb aboard, follow the guide, and let the horse do most of the work. This one asks more of you. Before setting out, you meet the horses, put on the gear, and help with saddling and preparation.

That extra involvement is useful. You get a quick introduction to horse behavior and basic control instead of being placed on an animal with little explanation. Each rider is matched with a horse according to height, weight, and riding experience. That matching matters, especially for a private group with mixed abilities.

The horses are described as sweet, well-trained, and full of life. In practical terms, you should expect movement and responsiveness. You need to listen to the instructions, understand how to guide your horse, and pay attention throughout the ride. If you have never ridden before, the basic lesson should help, but this is not presented as a slow, hands-off pony ride.

I see that as a strength for the right person. You feel involved in the outing, and the bond with the horse continues after the ride when you brush it and offer a snack. If your idea of a holiday ride is to sit quietly while someone else manages every detail, choose carefully.

From Villafranca to the Custoza vineyards

The meeting point is Piazzetta Lino Tosoni, 16, in Villafranca di Verona. The activity starts at 9:15 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point after about four hours.

The riding portion lasts roughly one hour. The route heads through countryside and vineyards toward the hill of Custoza, giving you a change from Verona’s historic center and busy streets. The appeal here is not a long endurance ride. It is the combination of open countryside, a working horse, and the anticipation of wine country ahead.

The Custoza area is especially suited to this format because the ride leads directly into a local food and wine experience. Instead of treating the countryside as a backdrop, the tour connects the land, the horses, and the winery in one short outing.

The ride is also long enough to feel substantial without taking the entire day. You still have time for other plans in Verona, though the morning start means you should keep your schedule realistic. The four-hour estimate includes preparation, riding, the winery visit, and time with the horse afterward.

What the horse preparation tells you

The early preparation is more than a formality. You get acquainted with the horse assigned to you and take part in saddling and getting ready. This lets you learn the basics before leaving the stable area.

You also receive an introduction to horse talk and controlling your horse. The exact lesson is not described in detail, so you should treat it as a practical orientation rather than a full riding course. The important point is that the experience expects cooperation from you.

This format suits adults who want a more involved activity. The supplied information specifically says no children, so families with young riders should not plan on bringing children along. Most adults can participate, but you need to be able to follow instructions and stay alert on horseback.

The private setup helps here. Only your own party takes part, so the pace and explanations are not built around a large bus group. It also gives you a more personal setting for questions, horse handling, and the winery visit.

The Custoza winery and its cellar

After the ride, you visit a family-run winery with views over the green countryside. The winery visit is not limited to tasting glasses. You go into the cellar, where the smell of old barrels becomes part of the experience, and learn about the history and production methods of the local wine.

That background gives the tasting some context. You can connect the bottle in your glass with the family operation, the cellar, and the nearby vineyards rather than treating the wine as a nameless sample. The tour includes the winery’s most produced wines, with a selection of white, rosé, and red styles.

The tasting also includes homemade cheese and salami. That is a useful touch because the food gives you something substantial to eat after the ride and lets you compare the wines with local flavors. It is not described as a full meal, so do not book it expecting lunch. Think of it as a generous tasting snack paired with the wine.

The views add to the visit, but the cellar is likely the more distinctive part. You get both the wide countryside setting and the close, sensory detail of old barrels and wine production. That balance makes the winery stop feel connected to the ride instead of tacked on at the end.

Finishing with the horse, not just the wine

One of the nicest details is that the activity does not end when you leave the saddle. After the ride, you can brush your horse and give it a snack.

That short period matters. It gives you time to calm down, handle the horse at an easier pace, and finish the outing with a simple act of care. For a first-time rider, it can also be a good way to feel more comfortable around the animal after the active part of the ride.

I like this closing because it keeps the horse at the center of the experience. The wine tasting is a major part of the appeal, but the activity does not treat the horses as scenery or transport. You prepare them, ride them, and help look after them afterward.

Is $190.63 a fair price?

At $190.63 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value comes from the combination of several elements: a private experience, horse preparation, a guided ride of about an hour, a family winery visit, three wine styles, and cheese and salami.

If you priced the horse ride and winery visit as separate outings, you would also need to account for transport between them and the time involved. Here, they are joined in a single four-hour plan, with the activity ending back at the meeting point.

The price makes the most sense for couples or small private groups who want a special half-day outside central Verona. It is less compelling if you mainly want inexpensive wine samples or a quick photo opportunity with a horse.

The strongest value is the range of experiences packed into one morning. You get countryside, animal handling, riding instruction, a cellar visit, wine education, and food. The weaker point is that the riding time itself is only about 60 minutes, so you are paying for the complete combination rather than for a long trail excursion.

Getting to the start in Villafranca

The start point is near public transportation, but you should not assume a taxi will always be easy to find. One practical problem reported after the experience involved a four-mile walk to the ranch because no taxis were available. Winery staff later helped that couple return to town for their train.

That story points to an important planning tip: allow extra time to reach Piazzetta Lino Tosoni, 16, and think ahead about your return. If you have a train or another fixed appointment, do not schedule it too tightly after the four-hour estimate.

The activity ends where it begins, so the return transfer is your responsibility unless the provider arranges otherwise. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile, which keeps the check-in process simple.

Because the start time is 9:15 a.m., check your transport plan the day before. This is especially important if you are staying in central Verona or need to catch a train soon after the tour.

Weather and cancellation limits

This experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation policy is much stricter. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount paid will not be returned.

That policy makes travel planning important. Book once your schedule is firm, and pay close attention to the weather forecast. Since this is an outdoor ride followed by a winery visit, poor conditions can affect the main part of the experience.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this activity to adults who want something more personal and active than a standard wine tasting. It works well for couples, friends, and small groups who appreciate a private setting and are comfortable trying something unfamiliar.

You will get the most from it if you:

• Enjoy horses and want to participate in grooming and preparation
• Can listen closely and respond to riding instructions
• Like small-scale wineries and local food
• Want countryside time without giving up an entire day
• Prefer a private outing to a large shared group

I would hesitate if you want a long trail ride, a completely relaxed horse experience, or a flexible booking. The horses are lively, the ride requires attention, and the non-refundable policy leaves little room for a last-minute change.

The experience is also not suitable for children, according to the supplied booking information. That makes it a better fit for adult groups than for a family holiday with young riders.

What makes the wine tasting memorable

The strongest praise centers on the wine quality, the beautiful winery setting, and the way the tasting works with the horse ride. The selection covers white, rosé, and red wines, so you get a broad introduction to the winery rather than a single style.

The cheese and salami help turn the tasting into a relaxed country stop. After riding, you can sit with food and wine while taking in the countryside views. The winery staff also provide a look at production methods and the cellar, which adds substance to the tasting.

I would not choose this only because you want to buy a particular bottle, since the available information does not promise shipping or case orders. But if you enjoy discovering wines in the place where they are made, the cellar visit and family-run setting add real value.

Should you book the horseback ride and wine tasting?

Book it if you want an adult-only, private morning that combines an active ride with a genuine local wine stop. The best features are the hands-on horse preparation, the Custoza vineyard route, the cellar visit, and the tasting of white, rosé, and red wines with cheese and salami.

Skip it if you want a long, easy ride where you barely need to guide the horse. Also think twice if your transport connections are tight or your plans may change, since the activity is non-refundable and taxi availability may be limited.

For the right group, $190.63 buys more than an hour in the saddle. It buys a compact countryside experience with horses, wine, food, and a private format. Just arrive prepared to participate, not simply sit back.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding and wine tasting start?

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

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 9:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours, including horse preparation, the ride, the winery visit, and time with the horse afterward.

How long is the horseback ride?

The ride lasts about 60 minutes and passes through vineyards toward the hill of Custoza.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your party participates in the activity.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. English is one of the offered languages.

What wine and food are included?

The tasting includes white, rosé, and red wines, along with a selection of cheese and salami.

Can children join the activity?

No. The supplied information states no children.