Veneto Wine + Culture Tour
SEVEN Days | SIX Nights
2024 DATES: May 6 - 12 SOLD OUT
2025 Dates: May 5 - 11
Welcome to the Veneto
The Veneto, home to some fantastically good-looking cities such as Venice, Verona and Vicenza, is one of Italy's top wine producing regions by quantity and quality. Its diversity should be noted as well — between the refreshing, bubbly Prosecco and the deep baritone Amarone, happily live a few outstanding whites (Soave, Custoza and Lugana), a rosé (Bardolino Chiaretto), enjoyable, fruity reds (Bardolino and Valpolicella) and more voluptuous reds, such as Valpolicella Ripasso. And, one can't forget the deliciously sweet dessert wines Recioto di Soave and Recioto della Valpolicella, nor the powerful grape-skin brandy Grappa.
This sommelier-led Veneto Wine + Culture Tour introduces you to all of the wines above through a carefully curated itinerary of artisanal and historic wineries. We'll also see a Palladian Villa or two, hike the terraced prosecco vineyards, enjoy a guided tour of Vicenza and Verona, learn how to make a typical Venetian meal, and relax in a luxurious spa overlooking Lake Garda. You're already packing your bags, aren't you?
“Just home from a great tour in the Veneto led by Leslie Rosa. Superb selection of winemakers and restaurants that gave us a great feel for the region and its food and wine culture. Leslie picked wonderful places to stay and built an impressive itinerary. And, Leslie is a fount of interesting information on the language and culture of Italy. This was my second trip with her; I highly recommend Leslie and La Dolce Vigna! ”
Veneto WINE TOUR Highlights
Taste through the Veneto’s acclaimed and diverse wines through visits to wineries handpicked by your sommelier guide
Visit to a 16th-Century Palladian Villa
Relax in a thermal bath with views of Lake Garda
Hands-on cooking class of Venetian Recipes
Visit the charming towns of Asolo, Bassano del Grappa and Vicenza
Enjoy a private guided tour of Verona, the romantic setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in THE VENETO
Cuisine of the Veneto
Thanks to the legacy of the Venetian Republic and its geographic location, the cuisine of the Veneto is quite varied. Seafood is abundant on the Adriatic and around Lake Garda; Duck, venison and chicken are prevalent inland. Risotto and polenta reign supreme in the Veneto, though pasta such as Venice's thick spaghetti-like bigoli is still revered. Radicchio, artichokes, mushrooms and asparagus are frequently featured in dishes. The Veneto is home to delicious cheeses such as Asiago and Taleggio, and various salame. And, dessert? You’re in the home region of tiramisù!
Your Luxurious Accommodations in the Veneto
Depending on the itinerary, we will stay in two or three hand-picked estates sprinkled throughout the Veneto. From a gorgeous agriturismo in Prosecco wine country to a hip boutique hotel in the heart of Vicenza to a regal villa in the land of Valpolicella, you will love the unique experiences that each offers.
“The meals, wine and tour stops were all incredible! Add to that Leslie’s organization, planning and personality — we can’t compliment her enough!”
TOUR PRICE
ALL-INCLUSIVE $5800 / person
(based on double occupancy)
Your Sommelier Guide + Founder of La Dolce Vigna
“Leslie knows all the special little nooks and crannies that you would never find on your own.”
Ciao! My name is Leslie Rosa. After a decade of working in the art world for eminent institutions and artists in New York and London, I moved to Italy, fell in love with the diversity of Italian wine and became a certified sommelier with the Associazione Italiana Sommelier.
As an art-curator-turned-sommelier, my passion is to create immersive experiences and itineraries in which each day tells a story and offers an in-depth look at the history and culture of a particular region through the lens of wine.
When not leading tours, you can find me doing pop-up wine tastings, writing for the Slow Wine Guide, or getting lost someplace beautiful with my travel watercolor set!
La Dolce Vigna Difference
Small Groups. Tours are always limited to a maximum of 12 people to assure you an intimate experience.
Sommelier Guides. You will always have a certified sommelier guide to answer all of your wine-related questions on the road.
Family-Run and Historic Wineries. Tours are centered around small, eco-conscious, family-run wineries that make truly outstanding wine, and packed with cultural insights.
Foodie Central. Be prepared to eat. A lot. We've picked out amazing spots for you, from the small, loved-by-locals osteria to the Michelin-starred restaurant
Insider Access. We have special relationships with locals, which open up more unique and authentic experiences for you!
No Cookie Cutter Tours. Depending on the season and local events, the tour will be organized to offer the best and most insider experience to each group.
All-Inclusive. Rest assured that your tour price includes all meals (except one), activities, hotels, transportation from the moment we meet until our fond farewell.
Down Time. For those of you who have been on other group tours, you know what we're talking about. Part of living la dolce vigna is taking the time to truly savor your experiences and surroundings. Time has been built in for you to do just that. Long live slow travel!
Helping others. Besides helping the local, artisanal economy through visiting small wine and food producers, eating at traditional trattorie and staying at intimate hotels, a donation on behalf of each individual that takes one of our tours will be made to 10,000 Gardens in Africa, a Slow Food initiative aimed at cultivating sustainable and healthy communities throughout Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions about THE VENETO Wine Tour
How many wineries will we visit on the VENETO wine tour?
We typically visit 6-7 wineries on the tour. I’ve found this gives clients a great cross-section of the appellations, wine styles, etc. without over-doing it. We will also try wines from different wineries.
I am not a wine expert; will I still enjoy this tour?
You do not need to be a wine expert to enjoy this tour, but a curiosity or love of tasting new wines comes in handy! A little more than half the trip will be focused on wine.
What IS the weather like in the veneto in the SPRING AND AUTUMN?
Spring temperatures in the Veneto can range from the 60s to the upper 70s during the day and dropping as low as the 50s in the evening. In September daytime temperatures are still quite summery (70s - 80s), though temperatures begin to cool down by October, averaging in the upper 60s/ low 70s during the day with cooler nights. The key in the spring and autumn is to bring clothes you can layer. Rain is always a possibility in both the spring and autumn.
What is the transportation for the Veneto wine tour?
La Dolce Vigna works with local transportation companies that have luxury fleets. Tour vehicles are Mercedes Sprinters (or comparable) with extra space to spread out.
What is included in the Veneto wine tour?
La Dolce Vigna believes in curating a complete experience for its clients. This means that winery visits, meals, activities, etc. are all hand-picked and included in your tour price to give you the best a region has to offer. With the exception of one meal (on occasion), everything during the tour period is included. For further details, you can visit La Dolce Vigna’s Terms page for the Veneto Wine + Culture Tour.
looking for a Private wine tour of Italy?
Look no further! In addition to our intimate group tours, La Dolce Vigna curates private wine tours—with or without a guide—based on your dates, travel style and interests. We will open the doors to authentic experiences complete with exceptional food and wine, colorful personalities, warm hospitality, not-to-be-missed cultural sites and many, many photo-worthy moments. (Trust us.)
