Wine and cichetti in a real Venetian home. This evening pairs four wines with homemade cichetti led by Liuba and Hugo, so you’re not just eating, you’re learning the why behind the pairings. The one consideration: the house is on the third floor with no lift, so plan for stairs.

I like that it’s capped at 6 travelers, which keeps the vibe relaxed and conversation-forward. It starts at 6:00 pm in Calle Foscari, and you’ll end back where you began, with a mobile ticket and English hosting.

Key highlights you’ll feel from the first sip

• A 4-wine tasting, bubble to sweet, matched with bites across the whole evening
• Hugo’s homemade food, including bread, not store-bought tapas
• Liuba’s sommelier-style wine explanations, focused on practical pairing and taste
• Small group size (max 6), so questions actually get answered
• Stairs matter, since the home is on the third floor without an elevator
• Dietary tweaks can happen, based on past menu adjustments for guests

Why this Venice evening feels different than a typical food tour

Venice has no shortage of tours, but this one leans into something simpler: a hosted evening where the kitchen runs the show and the wine follows. Liuba’s role as sommelier keeps the wine part grounded in taste and pairing, not snobbery. Hugo’s cooking keeps the food side clearly Venetian, from seafood cichetti to meat bites and dessert.

What makes it a strong value is that you’re not paying just for a meal. You’re paying for a guided tasting of four wines with Venetian tapas served at home, plus tableware and a set place at the table. In a city where it’s easy to hop from stop to stop, the pacing here gives you time to actually talk, ask questions, and slow down.

Finding Calle Foscari (and what to do about the stairs)

You meet at Calle Foscari, 3246, 30123 Venezia, and the experience ends back at the same spot. Start time is 6:00 pm, so you can pair it with a earlier afternoon wandering plan without feeling rushed.

Here’s the practical bit: the home is on the third floor and there is no lift. The activity also isn’t recommended for people who struggle with stairs. If stairs are a deal-breaker, this is the one point where you should honestly skip it and choose a different evening.

Also wear shoes you trust. Venice sidewalks can be uneven, and you’ll do stairs twice: first to arrive, then to settle in. If you’re traveling with heavy bags, consider traveling lighter for the afternoon.

The 6:00 pm flow: bubble, then white, then red, then sweet

The format is straightforward and well-paced: you’ll taste a bubble, then a white wine, then a red wine, and finish with a sweet wine. Each wine comes with a set of pairings—mostly cichetti plus typical homemade foods from Hugo.

The practical win here is structure. You don’t have to guess what’s coming next. You get a clear sequence that makes tasting easier, especially if you’re not a wine expert. It’s also a smart way to learn: you taste, you compare, then you move to the next flavor category with a matching bite.

It’s also not a huge group. With a maximum of 6, it stays social without turning chaotic. Expect a room where the conversation matters as much as the plates.

Prosecco opens the night with mixed fish cichetti

The evening kicks off with Prosecco paired with mixed fish cichetti. The kind of opening matters in wine tastings, and this one starts light and friendly so you’re comfortable right away.

From the menu examples, you’ll see seafood-style pairings like:

• Sardines in saor
• Creamed cod
• And other mixed fish cichetti choices served during the first course

What I like about this start is that it instantly feels Venetian. Instead of generic “small bites,” you get flavors that match the lagoon setting—savory, a bit tangy, and built for wine-friendly sips. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes seafood but worries wine tastings will be too formal, this opening keeps things human and easy.

Lugana with savory croissant, mortadella, stracchino, and pumpkin meatball

Next comes the white wine tasting: Lugana. Lugana is a white wine choice that typically plays well with richer, savory bites, and Hugo’s pairings show that logic.

You may get combinations like:

• A savory croissant with mortadella, stracchino, and pistachio grains
• A pumpkin meatball as part of the white-course pairing

This is a great moment in the evening because it shifts from fish to something warmer and more comfort-food like, while still staying “tapas sized.” It also gives you a different texture experience: creamy, salty, and crunchy bits alongside a wine category that’s meant to stay clean on the palate.

If you want to ask questions, this is often the easiest time. White wines are usually where people start asking about taste patterns—acidity, fruit, and how food changes what you notice.

Valpolicella brings the meat cichetti and cheeses

After Lugana, the night moves to red wine tasting: Valpolicella. This is where the menu leans heartier, with meat-focused cichetti and cheese.

Possible pairings include:

• A burger patty as part of the meat cichetti selection
• A selection of cheeses

What makes this section work is contrast. You’ve already had creamy white-pairing bites, so when the red shows up, you can feel the change in weight and flavor direction. It’s also a chance to understand why reds can handle richer bites better than you might expect.

If you’re a red-wine fan, this portion is usually where you’ll start picking out differences more clearly. Hugo’s food style helps; it’s not just wine and a token bite. The pairing actually shows up on the plate.

Sweet wine and dessert: tiramisu or Venetian biscuits

The final course is sweet wine paired with dessert. This closing segment is more than a “finishing touch.” It’s how you see how sweetness reshapes the whole tasting, especially after salty and savory flavors.

Dessert options from the menu examples include:

• Tiramisu
• Typical Venetian biscuits

Sweet wine is a tricky category—too much and it can feel cloying, too little and it doesn’t land. The way the evening is structured helps you get it right, because you finish on a planned note instead of throwing dessert at the end of a random dinner.

This is also the moment where the conversation often gets looser. You’ve moved through bubble, white, red, and sweet, so the wine pressure drops and the evening becomes more about laughs and storytelling.

Hugo’s homemade kitchen and Liuba’s wine guidance

The standout value is how the food and wine feel tied together. Hugo prepares typical foods and cichetti at home, and the meal includes homemade bread too. That matters because mass-produced “tapas” often taste like they were designed for speed. Here, the food feels built for pairing.

Liuba’s sommelier role is equally important. The explanations are about making the tasting make sense. You’re not expected to already know Italian wine terms to enjoy it. If you’re curious, she’ll help you focus on what you taste: how bubbles feel, how whites pair with savory, how reds handle richer bites, and how sweet wine fits dessert.

One nice detail from past experiences is that the hosts have handled dietary needs with care. If you have restrictions, tell them clearly ahead of time and bring your questions. It’s the kind of setting where adjustments can actually be practical.

Price and value: what $102.41 really covers

At $102.41 per person, you’re paying for more than a couple glasses of wine and a snack. Your included setup is:

• Personal sommelier
• Tasting of 4 wines
• Venetian cichetti
• Glasses and place setting

You’re also getting a private-home environment with a small cap of 6 travelers, plus a full evening that runs about 2 hours 30 minutes. No hotel pickup and drop-off means you handle your own way to Calle Foscari, but the trade-off is you get a real local table instead of a bus-and-restaurant routine.

If you compare this to Venice restaurant pricing, it can still be a good deal because the wine is built into the evening and the pacing is guided. You’re basically buying a structured tasting dinner, not ordering random items off a menu.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This is a great match if you want:

• A low-stress, small-group Venice evening
• A guided wine tasting in English
• Real Venetian food style—cichetti plus typical homemade dishes

It’s also a strong pick for couples or friends who like talking and learning without the pressure of formal wine class.

Skip it if:

• Stairs are a serious issue. The home is on the third floor and there’s no lift.
• You’re traveling with minors. This experience is not available for minors.

Also consider timing. A 6:00 pm start means you’ll want to plan your day so you’re not rushing from a busy schedule into stairs and tasting.

Should you book this Venice like a local wine and cichetti night?

I’d book it if you want a Venice evening that feels like a friend opened their door, not a scripted factory tour. The combination of Liuba’s wine pacing and Hugo’s homemade cichetti is the core reason this works. You’ll taste Prosecco, Lugana, Valpolicella, and a sweet wine, with pairings that move logically from seafood to meat to dessert.

But be honest about the stairs. If you can’t handle a third-floor climb without a lift, choose a different experience and save your energy for Venice itself. If you can manage the stairs, this is the kind of evening that turns into a standout memory because you’re sitting, tasting, and chatting long enough for it to feel real.

Finally, if you’re visiting Venice as a day trip from outside the city, check whether a Venice access fee applies on your date. The rules and exemptions can vary, so verify it ahead of time.

FAQ

What time does the experience start?

The tasting starts at 6:00 pm.

How long does the evening last?

It lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Where do I meet Liuba and Hugo?

You meet at Calle Foscari, 3246, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy.

Is it only a wine tasting, or is food included too?

Food is included. You’ll have Venetian cichetti paired with the wines, plus typical homemade products.

How many wines will I taste?

You’ll taste 4 wines: a bubble, a white wine, a red wine, and a sweet wine.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What’s included in the price?

Included are a personal sommelier, tasting of 4 wines, Venetian cichetti, and glasses and place setting.

Are tips included?

No, tips are not included.

Is it accessible if I have trouble with stairs?

No. The house is on the third floor and there is no lift, and it’s not recommended for those who cannot climb stairs.

Is there a maximum group size?

Yes, the experience has a maximum of 6 travelers.

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