Venice: Prosecco Hills Wineries Tour with Tastings and Lunch

This tour is interesting because it takes you out of Venice and into the Prosecco Hills for a slow, scenic day built around real producers, not just quick photo stops. I like that it is a true small-group outing, limited to 8 people, with a guide who stays with you all day and keeps the pace friendly. You might meet Carlo or Julia, both named often in the guide praise, and both styles seem to blend stories, humor, and practical wine talk.

I also like the day structure. You get tastings at two local wineries plus a proper meal at a family-owned Osteria, including spiedo meat cooking near the fire and home-made desserts. One consideration is logistics: the tour starts from Conegliano, so you need the included train timing to make the day work, and it is a long, wine-forward schedule.

What Makes This Prosecco Hills Day Feel Special

• Two wineries with 4 tastings each, so you learn by comparison, not just sampling
• A family-owned Osteria lunch, including grandma-style recipes and spiedo cooked near the fire
• Small group size (up to 8), which usually means better conversation and less waiting
• Scenic hill driving plus aperitivo time, where you can actually pause and take in the vineyards
• DOCG Prosecco focus at the second winery, including older vine types and a passion-driven approach

Prosecco Hills, Done Like the Locals Would

A lot of Prosecco tours feel like a checklist. This one feels different because it is built around rhythm. You take the train out of Venice, then spend the day in the hills with a private van connecting two winery stops and a family restaurant stop in the middle of it all.

The geography matters. Conegliano sits in the heart of the Prosecco zone, and the hills look different from every angle as you move between villages and vineyard slopes. The views are part of the point, but the better part is what you learn. You taste enough to notice differences, and the guide keeps tying the wine back to how it is made and how the vineyards are farmed.

And yes, it is a wine day. If you are not into drinking much, plan to pace yourself and treat the tastings as sampling rather than collecting. The upside is that the structure is clear, you are never wandering alone, and the group stays small.

Price and Value: $202.78 Per Person, and Where It Goes

At $202.78 per person, this is not the cheapest way to do the Prosecco Hills. But the price makes more sense when you look at what is included.

You are paying for:

• Roundtrip train tickets from Venice to Conegliano (so you do not have to figure out schedules)
• Full-day transport in a private van
• Two winery visits with 4 tastings in each winery
• A 4-course lunch at a family-owned Osteria

That is a lot for one day. Cheaper tours often cut the tastings, shorten the meal, or use larger groups that mean more waiting and less conversation. This tour leans into quality time. The small group size is part of that. When your guide can actually manage the pace and keep everyone together, the day feels smoother.

Getting There Without Stress: Train to Conegliano, Tour Starts There

Here is the key planning detail: the experience starts from Conegliano train station. The good news is that your train tickets from Venice to Conegliano are included, and they are delivered by email the day before the experience. You just need to send one email address for ticket delivery and the full names of participants after booking.

If you are staying in Venice, there is a simple plan. You catch a train at about 9am from Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia. The ride is about 50 minutes. The tour day then runs forward from Conegliano.

At the end of the experience, you return via train, with a departure around 5pm from Conegliano back to Santa Lucia. This timing is great if you want to keep your Venice evening open for a proper dinner without needing a second day to recover.

Stop 1 in the Morning: First Winery, Scenic Views, and Prosecco-Making Basics

The day begins with a winery visit in a scenic area of the hills. The point of this first stop is not just drinking. You learn how Prosecco is made, then you taste it as part of that story.

What you are likely to notice right away is that Prosecco is not one single thing. Even within Prosecco sparkling styles, there can be differences in how producers approach fruit, method, and balance. With tastings built into the visit, you have a chance to compare what you are tasting rather than guessing which bottle you would prefer later.

From the overall tone of the experience, this stop also tends to be photo-friendly. Reviews repeatedly mention beautiful winery settings and strong scenic drive time between points. So if you like taking pictures, the morning is a good window when light can flatter the hills and vineyards.

One practical note: if you tend to get hungry early, do not plan on a big breakfast unless it is light. Lunch is a core part of the day, and there is a steady flow of tastings before it.

Lunch at a Family-Owned Osteria: Spiedo Near the Fire and Grandma Recipes

The mid-day meal is a standout part of this experience. You go from the vineyard rhythm of tasting into a family restaurant stop set in the hills, described as being lost in the countryside. The atmosphere matters because it slows everything down for you.

Here is what the meal is built on:

• a typical lunch prepared with grandma’s recipes
• spiedo meat cooking slowly near the fire
• a 4-course format
• home-made desserts prepared by the family

Spiedo is one of those Italian cooking styles you do not forget. The point is time and technique. Watching it cook is part of the meal experience, not just watching meat happen to heat up.

This is also where the day becomes more than wine. You get a proper country kitchen lunch, and the guide can help connect what you eat back to the regional identity of the hills.

If you have dietary needs, the only safe way to prepare is to confirm directly with the operator ahead of time, since the details provided focus on the standard menu style and ingredients.

Stop 2 at the Second Winery: DOCG Prosecco and Older Vine Types

After lunch, the day shifts into a second winery visit that leans more technical and producer-focused. This is where the experience turns toward DOCG Prosecco quality and older vine types.

The description you should keep in mind is that the second stop is run by friends of the host, producing high quality DOCG Prosecco and using ancient vine types with a lot of passion. In plain terms, this is not just a tasting room. It is an opportunity to see how a producer thinks about vineyard heritage and translate that into the glass.

Because you already tasted earlier, this stop gives you the contrast you want. You can ask better questions, and you will likely taste more intentionally, since you already have a baseline from the morning.

Also, the hill setting tends to create great views here too. One recurring theme is that the day feels peaceful and relaxing compared to busier, crowded excursions. That makes it a good choice if you are tired of feeling rushed.

What the Guide Actually Does: Keeping the Day Fun and Clear

In wine country, the guide can make or break the day. This one has a consistent pattern in the feedback: guides like Carlo, Julia, Sebastian, and Marco are described as entertaining, funny, and able to explain the wine and the area without turning it into a lecture.

You should expect:

• clear storytelling that ties wine to place
• a friendly pace that keeps you moving but not feeling rushed
• time for questions as you taste
• help taking photos at key moments

The other big benefit of a small group is that you can hear what the guide is saying. In a group of 40, wine tastings are often noise. Here, it is more like a shared day out, with the guide as your interpreter.

Transportation Style: Private Van Between Stops

You are transported in a private van for the day. That matters in Prosecco country because vineyard roads are not simple and parking can be a headache. Private van transport helps you spend more time tasting and eating and less time figuring out logistics.

And because you are not driving yourself, you can focus on the experience. Just keep in mind you will be spending time on the road in both directions, so bring a layer if you get cool on the drive. It is an outdoorsy day, even if your seats are comfortable.

Tastings and Lunch Together: How Much Alcohol Should You Plan For?

The tour includes 4 tastings in each winery, so that is 8 tastings across two producers. Then there is a full lunch, a 4-course meal at a family Osteria, which is a substantial food event in its own right.

So you should mentally plan this like a meal plus a workshop in taste, not like a casual drink stop. You do not have to drink everything. You can sip and compare, especially if you are not accustomed to sparkling wine all day.

If you are sensitive to alcohol, eat first when you can, pace your pours, and ask your guide for guidance on what to try if you want lighter options within the tasting format.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Reconsider)

This tour is ideal for you if:

• you want a small-group day trip with lots of tasting time
• you care more about real producers and food than big-city sightseeing
• you enjoy wine explanations paired with practical tasting
• you want an Osteria meal that feels local rather than generic

You might reconsider if:

• you need a quiet, non-alcohol-focused day
• you dislike train-based day trips from Venice
• you want a shorter schedule, since this is a full 7-hour outing with a set return train around 5pm

Also, it is a great option for couples and friends. A small group tends to make it easier to chat with others on the day without feeling like you are on a crowded bus.

Should You Book It? My Decision Checklist

Book this tour if you want a genuine Prosecco Hills day with two wineries, a family lunch, and enough tastings to learn what you like. The small group size, included trains, and private van all reduce friction, which is what you want in wine country where timing matters.

I would hesitate only if you are mainly chasing the cheapest option or you are not ready for a day that is centered on wine and food. At that point, you might prefer a lighter tasting experience.

If you do book, do two things and you will have a better day: arrive ready to taste with a lighter morning, and pace yourself so you can enjoy lunch instead of just powering through it.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The experience starts from Conegliano train station. Train tickets from Venice to Conegliano are included.

Are the train tickets included?

Yes. Roundtrip train tickets from Venice (Santa Lucia) to Conegliano are included in the price, and they are delivered by email the day before the experience.

What time should I plan to leave Venice?

If you are staying in Venice, you can catch a train at about 9am from Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia. The return train departs at about 5pm from Conegliano.

How many wineries do you visit?

You visit two local wineries during the day.

How many tastings are included?

Each winery includes 4 tastings, for a total of 8 tastings across the two stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a 4-course meal at a family-owned Osteria.

Is there an English guide?

Yes. The tour includes a live tour guide in English.

What is the group size?

The group is limited to 8 participants, so it stays small.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 7 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.