Gourmet Tasting with Light Lunch at Cavarena in Valpolicella Classica

Your visit to Cavarena is guided by Sergio, the owner and an agronomist, who welcomes you to his family-run winery in the hills of Valpolicella Classica. The experience begins with a walk through the adjacent vineyard. Here, Sergio shares his knowledge of vineyard management, biodiversity, and sustainable farming, explaining the connection between the estate and its land. The visit is interactive, with time for questions about the traditions and stories of Cavarena.

The tour continues inside the intimate barrel room (bottaia), where you will learn how oak aging shapes the personality of the wines. Sergio adapts the conversation to your level of wine knowledge. The experience concludes with a seated tasting of four estate wines: Vinrosso Rosso Verona IGT, Quara Alta Rosso Verona IGT, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG.

The wines are paired with a seasonal light lunch prepared on-site. The tasting starts with warm artisan bread and Cavarena's extra virgin olive oil, followed by a selection of traditional cured meats like guanciale, coppa, and rolled pancetta. This is served with seasonal vegetables, black olives, and naturally leavened breadsticks. The pairing continues with four aged cheeses from the Lessinia Natural Park, tasted alongside the Valpolicella Ripasso. You will also try a rare local cheese paired with one of Cavarena's special refermented wines, before finishing with mountain Parmigiano from Vacche Rosse milk, matched with the Amarone.

During warmer months, the tasting is held under the shaded portico, surrounded by olive trees and vegetable gardens. In the colder season, you will be welcomed into the indoor tasting room, where a lit fireplace creates a cozy, rural atmosphere.