Venice: Prosecco Hills Wineries Tour with Tastings and Lunch

Prosecco hills are a fun break from Venice. This Yellowboot day trip pairs a knowledgeable local guide with two winery visits, so you actually understand what you’re drinking. I especially like the family osteria lunch with spiedo cooking near the fire, because it feels like a real village meal, not a boxed-in lunch. One thing to consider: the day runs long and includes multiple wine tastings, so it’s not the best match if you want a low-alcohol, chill pace.

You’ll keep things simple with a small group limited to 8, plus an English-speaking guide. And the train tickets are handled for you: you pick up the plan with email delivery the day before, then follow the timing. Still, note the start rule: the experience truly starts in Conegliano, so you’ll need to line up that morning train from Venezia Santa Lucia.

Expect 8 tastings across 2 wineries, with an osteria aperitivo in the hills before the meal. Between the bird-song moments, the countryside views, and the DOCG-focused second stop, the day has variety without feeling scattered. Just go in knowing you’ll be on the move from start to finish, and you’ll likely want to skip a heavy breakfast.

Key takeaways before you go

• Two wineries, four tastings each gives you enough variety to compare styles instead of just sampling.
• Conegliano start point keeps the hills portion efficient, but you must catch the morning train.
• Family-run osteria lunch with spiedo turns the meal into the highlight, not an afterthought.
• DOCG + ancient-vine story at the second winery helps you connect Prosecco to place and tradition.
• Guides like Carlo, Julia, Sebastian, and Marco bring humor and clear explanations in English.
• Small group up to 8 makes it easier to ask questions and stay comfortable.

Venice to Conegliano: why this day feels local, not touristy

If your Venice days feel like rinse-and-repeat crowds, this is the easy antidote. You’re trading canals for rolling Prosecco hills, and you’re doing it with structure: train in, van between stops, and a planned return.

The smart part is that you’re not just dropped into a wine street and told good luck. The day is built around two winery visits plus a family osteria lunch in the hills. That mix matters because Prosecco can be talked about like a product, but it’s best understood as a regional culture—where vineyards, farming routines, and food all move at the same tempo.

Also, the group size stays small (up to 8). In practice, that tends to mean less waiting around and more conversational pacing. You’ll hear what the guide is saying without straining, and questions don’t get swallowed by a big tour bus.

The practical logistics that make or break your morning

This tour includes roundtrip trains from Venice to Conegliano. The experience starts from Conegliano train station, and your train tickets are included in the price and sent to you by email the day before. You only need to send one email address and the full names of all participants.

If you’re staying in Venice, you’ll catch a train at about 9am from Venezia Santa Lucia. The ride is listed as 50 minutes. The return train is around 5pm from Conegliano.

Two practical tips. First, plan for a no-stress start: have your day bag ready the night before. Second, don’t treat this like a sleep-in day. The whole schedule is built around getting you into the hills early enough to enjoy views and tastings without rushing later.

Stop 1 in the Prosecco hills: learning Prosecco from the vines up

Your first winery visit is set in a scenic area, and it’s designed as more than a tasting room stop. You’ll learn the secrets of Prosecco wine making—how the process connects to what’s in your glass. Then you taste multiple Prosecco glasses there, with tasting sessions listed as four tastings at each winery.

This is where the day earns its value. A lot of wine tours just pour and hope. Here, the morning format pushes you toward understanding: what makes a Prosecco style, what choices the producer makes, and how the vineyard setting influences the final character.

From the reviews, guides such as Carlo and Julia are especially strong at turning the information into something you can actually remember. Expect easy explanations, plus a lively vibe. If you like asking how something is made rather than only what it tastes like, this first stop is a good match.

The aperitivo moment: views, vineyards, and bird-song

Between winery and lunch, the day slows just enough to feel like you left Venice for good. You’ll visit a local osteria tucked into the hills and enjoy an aperitivo in front of the vineyards while listening to birds sing.

It sounds simple. That’s the point. You’re getting a pause that doesn’t feel staged. This is the part that helps the day feel peaceful instead of being one long checklist.

If you’re the photo-taking type, this is a strong window. You’ll be in countryside light with vineyards around you and a guide who helps keep the group moving.

Lunch at a family-owned osteria: where spiedo steals the show

Lunch is one of the biggest reasons to book this tour. It’s a four-course meal at a family-owned osteria, and the cooking has a real focal point: spiedo, meat cooking slowly near the fire.

In other words, you’re not just eating food that tastes good—you’re eating food that has a place in the family routine. The osteria uses traditional dishes prepared using grandma’s recipes, and dessert is home made by the brother. That family structure is what makes the lunch feel authentic rather than generic.

From the descriptions and guest notes, the meal tends to follow a proper sequence: starters and pastas come out as part of the rhythm, then heartier grilled meat-style dishes, and finally dessert. Many people also talk about the wine flow with lunch—so you’ll want to treat lunch as a centerpiece, not a quick break.

If you’re thinking about your stomach and your day: this lunch is substantial, and it pairs naturally with the wine tastings you had earlier. The guide names that show up in the experience (like Carlo, Sebastian, and Marco) are repeatedly praised for keeping the pace comfortable and guiding you through what to expect.

Stop 2 at a DOCG winery: ancient vines and a different Prosecco story

After lunch, you head to the second winery, where the focus shifts. This stop is tied to DOCG Prosecco and is described as high quality, run by friends of the family.

The tasting here is still part of the main deal—four tastings again—but the angle is different. You’ll meet the people behind the place, and you’ll hear about producing Prosecco using ancient types of vines and a lot of passion.

Why this second stop matters: you’re comparing. The morning winery helps you understand the basics and the general craft. The afternoon DOCG stop gives you a sharper sense of regional differences and how producers preserve older vine material and style choices. If you want more than one “this tastes good” moment, this structure is doing work for you.

The guide makes the day: Carlo, Julia, Sebastian, Marco

This tour is live-guided in English, and the strongest feedback clusters around the guides themselves. Names that come up include Carlo, Julia, Sebastian, and Marco.

The pattern in the experience is consistent: the guides are funny, patient, and willing to explain. Guests also praise the way guides connect the tour to local life, including family involvement and practical details you wouldn’t get from a standard tasting room conversation.

There’s also a small-group social payoff. When you’re with fewer people, it’s easier to relax and chat. One of the most common feelings in the feedback is that the tour doesn’t feel like you’re herded. It feels like you’re invited into a day in the hills.

How the schedule feels in real time (7 hours, but not exhausting)

The itinerary spans about 7 hours, and that includes the train transfers. Your total day has a rhythm: train ride to Conegliano, winery time, aperitivo, lunch, then the second winery, then the return train.

The key is that the stops are planned so you’re not sitting in a van for long stretches. You still travel by private van during the day, which helps you cover ground efficiently without dealing with rental cars or parking in the hills.

One pro tip appears in the feedback: skip a heavy breakfast. That’s because you’ll be tasting through the day and then eating a full family lunch. If you’re prone to getting sleepy after meals, you may prefer a light start so you can enjoy the later tasting without feeling like the day caught up to you.

Practical move: wear comfortable shoes with traction. You’re in hillside areas and you’ll likely walk on uneven ground in and around vineyards and the osteria.

What you get for $202.78: value math that actually makes sense

At $202.78 per person, this tour isn’t the cheapest Prosecco Hills option. But the value comes from what’s bundled into the price.

You get:

• Roundtrip train tickets from Venice to Conegliano
• Full-day transport in a private van
• Two winery visits, with four tastings at each (8 tastings total)
• A four-course lunch at a family-owned osteria

If you try to recreate this independently, the costs start stacking quickly. Train rides alone can add up. Then you’d need local transport to reach wineries. Tastings and winery entry fees are often charged separately. And a proper sit-down lunch in the hills is rarely just a quick sandwich.

This tour also delivers the thing that’s hardest to DIY: a structured flow that teaches you what you’re tasting. You’re not just buying wine; you’re learning how Prosecco is made and why different wineries give different results.

And from the reviews, the price bump compared with larger group tours tends to be justified by the intimate feel: fewer people, more attention, and less time wasted.

Who this Prosecco Hills tour fits best

This is a great match if:

• You want a guided intro to Prosecco beyond the basics
• You enjoy food that’s tied to a family routine, especially spiedo
• You prefer small groups over crowded buses
• You’re happy to taste wine through the day and don’t mind that it’s a full, structured schedule

You might reconsider if:

• You want a low-key half-day rather than a full-day plan
• You’re sensitive to alcohol or you’d rather keep tastings light
• You’re hoping for a strictly self-paced itinerary (this is planned for you)

Should you book Yellowboot’s Prosecco Hills Wineries Tour?

I think this is the kind of tour worth booking if your goal is to experience the Prosecco Hills as a day out with real people, real food, and real wine context. The combination of two wineries with multiple tastings, a family-owned osteria with spiedo, and an English-speaking guide in a small group hits a sweet spot: you get depth without complexity.

If you care about learning what you’re drinking, and you like the idea of lunch that feels like a local family event, book it. If you want a relaxed afternoon stroll and no alcohol flow, look for something gentler.

FAQ

Where does the tour actually start?

The experience starts from Conegliano train station. Train tickets from Venice to Conegliano are included, and they’re sent to you by email the day before.

How do I get to Conegliano from Venice?

If you’re staying in Venice, you can catch a train at about 9am from Venezia Santa Lucia. The ride is listed as 50 minutes.

What’s included in the tour price?

It includes roundtrip train tickets, full-day transport in a private van, visits and wine tastings in 2 wineries (with 4 tastings in each), and a 4-course lunch at a family-owned osteria.

How long is the day trip?

The duration is listed as 7 hours (starting times depend on availability).

Is the guide in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English tour guide.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to 8 participants.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Do I pay right away?

You can reserve now & pay later, so you can book without paying immediately.