Horseback riding and wine tasting

A horseback ride through the vineyards of Custoza, followed by wine in a family cellar, gives you two very different sides of the Verona countryside in one morning. You will ride for about an hour, then taste local white, rosé, and red wines with cheese and salami while looking across the green hills.

I like the private format, since your group rides together rather than joining a large outing. I also like the hands-on work with the horses, from helping saddle up to brushing your horse and offering a snack afterward. The main caution is that these are lively horses, not slow-moving trail props, so you need to listen closely and stay alert.

Key points to know before you book

• An active hour in the saddle: You help prepare the horse, learn basic commands, and control your mount along vineyard paths.
• A private outing: Only your own party takes part, which makes the pace and instruction more personal.
• Custoza wine country: The route climbs toward the hill of Custoza, with broad views over the green countryside.
• Three styles of wine: The tasting includes local white, rosé, and red wines, paired with homemade cheese and salami.
• Horse care is part of the visit: You can brush your horse and give it a snack after the ride.
• Plan your transport carefully: The meeting point is near public transportation, but taxis may not always be available.

From the Villafranca meeting point to the stable

The morning begins at 9:15 am at Piazzetta Lino Tosoni, 16, in Villafranca di Verona. The activity returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location at the end.

The meeting area is near public transportation, which helps if you are coming from Verona without a car. Still, do not assume a taxi will be waiting. One couple had to walk about four miles to reach the ranch because no taxi was available, though a winery staff member later helped them return to town for their train.

That detail matters if you have a fixed departure after the tour. I would leave plenty of time after the scheduled end and confirm your return plan before setting out. The activity lasts about four hours, but countryside transport can be less predictable than getting around central Verona.

The mobile ticket is useful for a simple start. You receive confirmation when booking, and the tour is offered in English. Since this is a private activity, you take part only with your own party.

Meeting your horse and learning the basics

The first part is not a quick climb into the saddle. You get acquainted with the horses, collect your gear, and help with saddling and preparation. That gives you time to settle in and understand how your horse responds before you leave the stable.

Each rider is matched with a trail horse according to height, weight, and riding experience. That matching is important, especially in a small private outing where the goal is to keep the ride comfortable and manageable for everyone in the group.

You also receive a basic lesson in horse talk and control. Expect instruction on how to guide and communicate with your mount, not a long riding-school course. The key is to pay attention from the start.

The horses are described as sweet, well-trained, and full of life. That combination is appealing, but it also sets the right expectation. You will not simply sit still while a horse follows another horse around a set path. You must listen to instructions, stay alert, and take an active role.

For a confident beginner, that can make the hour feel much more rewarding. For someone hoping for a completely passive ride, it may feel demanding. The activity is best for people who can follow directions and are comfortable with basic physical participation.

Riding for an hour through the Custoza vineyards

The ride lasts about 60 minutes and heads through the countryside toward the hill of Custoza. The appeal here is the change of pace from Verona’s streets and monuments. Instead of moving from one city sight to the next, you travel slowly through vineyard country, with the horse setting the rhythm.

The route offers views of green countryside and the vineyards around Custoza. It is not presented as a technical riding trip or a full-day trek. Think of it as a scenic introduction to the area, with enough saddle time to make the horse connection feel real without taking up the entire day.

Your attention will be divided between the views and the horse beneath you. You need to watch your position, respond to instructions, and guide your mount. That active element is one of the best reasons to choose this outing over a standard sightseeing transfer to a winery.

The private setup should also help your group stay together. You are not being placed with a large mixed party, and the horses are selected for each rider. The information does not promise a custom route or a particular riding pace, so you should not book this expecting a private lesson or advanced training.

The hill of Custoza gives the ride a clear sense of place. You are not just riding in an unnamed rural area. You are seeing the vineyards tied to the wines you will taste later, which makes the second half of the morning feel connected to the first.

Entering a family-run winery

After the ride, you visit a family-run winery with views over the countryside. The setting provides a welcome shift from the saddle: you can sit, taste, and learn about how the local wines are made.

The winery visit includes a walk into the wine cellar. Old barrels give the room its familiar wine-cellar smell, and you learn about the family operation, production methods, and the history of the winery.

That explanation adds useful context to the tasting. You are not simply handed three glasses and sent on your way. You get an introduction to the work behind the bottles, including the techniques used to produce the wines made there.

The description does not name the winery or promise a particular vintage, so I would focus on the setting and the chance to taste local production rather than arrive expecting a formal sommelier class. This is a friendly countryside visit, not a lengthy technical seminar.

The views are part of the pleasure. After riding through the vineyards, you can look out over the same type of countryside that supports the winery. That link between place, farming, and the glass in front of you gives the tasting more meaning.

Tasting white, rosé, and red wine with local food

The tasting includes a selection of the winery’s most produced wines: white, rosé, and red. This range lets you compare different styles in one sitting and gives you a broader sense of the winery’s work than a tasting focused on just one bottle.

The wines are paired with homemade cheese and salami. That food is more than a small extra. It makes the tasting feel like a simple country snack and helps balance the alcohol, especially if you are tasting in the morning.

The strongest praise for this outing centers on the wines and the winery setting. One couple considered the three wines exceptional and hoped to order a full case afterward. That does not guarantee that every bottle will match your taste, but it suggests the tasting is not treated as an afterthought to the riding.

I would approach the tasting with an open mind. You may prefer the white, rosé, or red depending on what you normally drink, and the value comes from trying all three alongside food and learning where they come from.

The cheese and salami also give you a taste of the local style without turning the morning into a large meal. If you need a full lunch afterward, plan one separately. The included food is described as a selection, not a substantial restaurant meal.

Brushing the horse and saying goodbye

The activity does not end when you dismount. You can brush your horse and give it a snack after the ride. This is a small but meaningful part of the morning because it brings you back to the animal rather than ending with a quick handoff.

I especially like this feature for families with older children, couples, and anyone who wants the horse connection to be part of the outing. However, the activity specifically says no children, so do not treat this as a child-friendly family booking. The minimum age is not stated, but children are not accepted.

The care routine also reinforces the practical side of riding. A horse is not just transport. You help prepare it, ride responsibly, and take part in the basic care afterward. That makes the experience feel more grounded than a short mounted photo opportunity.

Is the $190.63 price a fair deal?

At $190.63 per person, this is not a cheap way to fill a morning. The price makes more sense if you value the combination of a private horseback outing, an English-language experience, a winery visit, wine tasting, and food.

You are paying for about four hours, but the value is not spread evenly across four hours of riding. The horseback portion lasts about one hour. The remaining time covers horse preparation, instruction, the winery visit, cellar information, tasting, food, and post-ride care.

Compared with booking a simple trail ride and a separate wine visit, combining both may save planning time and produce a more connected day. The private format also matters if you want to stay with your own party instead of joining a larger group.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is simply to ride for several hours. This is not a long horseback trek. It is a short countryside ride paired with a local wine experience.

I would also consider the cost of reaching Villafranca di Verona and getting back afterward. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the taxi problem reported by one couple shows why transport should be part of your budget and planning.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose this for an adult couple, a small group of friends, or a private party that wants a countryside morning with some activity. It suits you if you like learning by doing and do not mind taking instructions in the saddle.

It is also a good fit if you have already seen Verona’s main sights and want a break from churches, piazzas, and crowded streets. The Custoza setting gives you a slower view of the region, while the winery adds a clear local food and drink element.

You should think twice if you have never ridden and feel uneasy around lively horses. Beginners may participate, since horses are matched to experience and a basic lesson is provided, but you still need to listen and stay alert.

This is not suitable for children, and it is not the right pick for anyone seeking a passive ride. It may also disappoint you if you want a full day of wine tasting or a long ride across the countryside.

Timing, weather, and cancellation rules

The start time is 9:15 am, and the full activity takes roughly four hours. Since the outing returns to the meeting point, it can fit neatly into a Verona-area morning, but I would not schedule a tight train departure afterward.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation terms are strict. Once booked, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That makes checking the weather, transport, riding suitability, and schedule especially important before you pay.

My recommendation for booking

I would book this if you want a private, active morning that ties together horses, vineyard views, and wine made in the same countryside. The best parts are the personal horse matching, the lively but well-trained animals, the family cellar, and the chance to taste white, rosé, and red wines with local food.

I would skip it if you want a long, gentle ride that requires little input, or if your schedule depends on a taxi appearing at the end. Build in extra transport time, confirm that every member of your party can participate, and expect to be an attentive rider rather than a passenger.

For the right group, the $190.63 price buys more than a horseback ride. It gives you a compact introduction to Custoza, with the land, the animals, and the wine all part of one morning.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

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

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:15 am.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately four hours.

How long is the horseback ride?

The ride lasts about 60 minutes.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your own group takes part.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

What wines are included?

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

What food is served with the wine?

The tasting includes a selection of cheese and salami.

Can children join the activity?

No. The activity information states no children.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.