Bologna is best known for its incredible food (hello, lasagne!), but if you ask me, the wine here deserves your attention as well. As someone born and raised in Bologna, I know that Emilia-Romagna is home to some fantastic wines, and the best way to experience them is to get out into the vineyards.
The most famous local wine is Pignoletto, produced in the rolling hills just outside the city. It might not have the global fame of Prosecco or Chianti, but trust me—if you love wine, you have to try it. It’s crisp, and refreshing, and pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of our cuisine.
The best way to dive into Bologna’s wine culture? A visit to the wineries themselves where you’ll get to learn about the winemaking process and of course, taste the wines.
Some tours focus purely on wine, while others combine it with the region’s famous food—because honestly, wine always tastes better with some Parmigiano or mortadella on the side.
I’ve handpicked the best wine tastings and tours from Bologna, from intimate cellar visits to full-day countryside experiences. And if you’re short on time, you’ll also find some tasting experiences right in the city center.
➥ Why should you trust my selections? Because Bologna is my hometown. I grew up here, I know the local food and wine scene inside and out, and I’ve spent the last 10 years helping travelers plan their dream trips to Italy. I’m not a sommelier, but I am someone who knows exactly where to go for the best wine experiences.
I generally use Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours around the world. I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy. If your plans change, you can cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
Are you in a rush? These are the best tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Bologna: City Center Guided Wine Walking Tour |
| WINE TASTING SESSION | Food and Wine Experience in Bologna, Italy |
| COUNTRYSIDE WINE TOUR | From Bologna: Wine Experience Colli Bolognesi |
OUR PICK: The BEST Wine Tour in Bologna
If you want to explore Bologna’s wine culture without leaving the city, the Bologna: City Center Guided Wine Walking Tour is the way to do it.
Led by a certified local sommelier, it takes you through the heart of Bologna’s historic center, stopping at some of the best enoteche (wine bars) and osterie to taste incredible wines from the Colli Bolognesi hills and the Emilia-Romagna region.
As you wander through hidden alleyways and charming piazzas, you’ll learn about the region’s lesser-known but fascinating wine scene. Along the way, you’ll taste from two to five wines, depending on the tour length you choose.
Opt for the 2.5-hour or 3-hour tour (recommended), and you’ll also enjoy a traditional snack in the oldest tavern in town dating back to the 15th century—one of my favorite places in Bologna!
For something truly special, the private “Secret Enoteca” experience offers an exclusive evening in a hidden wine bar in the heart of old Bologna. You’ll taste four of Emilia-Romagna’s finest wines, each expertly paired with a full three-course dinner featuring the region’s best traditional dishes.
➤ Why is this the best tour? It provides a great introduction to the Bolognese wine region, as an expert sommelier guides you through a tasting of regional wines in unique wine bars that you’d never find on your own. It’s the perfect experience for wine-lover visitors who don’t have the time to visit the vineyards.
Read what the reviews say:
“A great experience of trying Bolognese wines and learning about small wine makers in the region. Filippo was a great guide and treated you like a friend while you were with him. I would definitely recommend this tour to a friend who was coming to Bologna, as you get to experience some great places to eat and drink, and take on wine bars that you would otherwise walk past.”
GetYourGuide Traveler – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A guide, a walking tour, wine tasting and, if option selected, food. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Wine Tasting in Bologna
▶️ Indulge in the best regional red wines and learn the art of a true Italian toast with this Food and Wine Experience in Bologna, Italy.
You’ll take part in a fun and innovative Sommelier Game to test your knowledge as you swirl and sip local wines. Start with a sommelier-guided tasting session, sampling three wines: Pignoletto Classico, Sangiovese in Purezza, and Sangiovese Apassimento.
The wines will be paired with local delicacies, and you’ll get to play with the interactive games on display to discover how much you’ve learned about wines.
This tour includes: A guided wine tasting, and appetizers. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Sip, savor, and learn about the city’s wine culture on this Bologna: Wine Tasting Tour in One of the Oldest Inns. Your guide will pair three DOC wines with local delicacies, and guide you across the three main wine-growing areas through tasting.
You’ll get to learn about the distinct characteristics of each region’s wines and the grape varieties that make them unique.
This Bologna wine tasting includes: Wine tasting, traditional dishes, and an expert wine guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This themed Wine Degustation Ebrezze is the perfect pre-dinner aperitivo experience. It allows you to delve deeper into Italian wine culture as you sip on six regional wines.
The tasting is conveniently located in the heart of Bologna, and it includes local snacks to munch on. It’s the perfect afternoon activity before heading out for dinner!
This wine tasting in Bologna includes: Wine tasting and snacks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Wine Tours in the Bologna Countryside
▶️ Get a taste of Emilia-Romagna’s finest wines on this full-day From Bologna: Wine Experience Colli Bolognesi. You’ll be whisked away to the beautiful countryside where you’ll visit two wineries and taste five glasses of DOC wine.
The sommeliers will guide you through the tasting process and help you understand the complex tastes of each wine.
But wait, there’s more! You’ll also get a private tour of the winery where modern innovations and ancient traditions collide. To top it off you’ll indulge in a traditional lunch made with regional ingredients.
This wine tour from Bologna includes: Hotel transfers, lunch, two wine tastings, and cellar tours. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ If you’re a hopeless foodie, you’ll go crazy with this Emilia Excellence Food Tour from Bologna. Emilia Romagna is one of the richest regions in the country in terms of gastronomy… And this 7-hour tour allows you to delve into its culinary delights.
You’ll start the trip with a tour of a dairy factory, where you’ll witness the magic of Parmigiano Reggiano production. Next, visit one of the most famous vinegar-makers in the world to see how the traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena is produced.
The tour also includes a trip to a local vineyard and, of course, a taste of all the amazing products along the way.
But don’t fill up too much, because the excursion ends with a typical lunch at a local winery, paired even with more wine. Come hungry and leave happy (and possibly a little tipsy)!
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, all visits and tastings, and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
The wine is delicious, but the food will blow your mind. So, why not join a food tour? I’ve already written a whole post about the best food tours in Bologna, so check it out!
Vineyard Tours & Tastings Around Bologna (No Transportation)
▶️ Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind at an idyllic farm with this Olive Grove and Bologna Vineyard Tour with Product Tastings. Get your taste buds tingling with locally produced wines and olive oils, and sample their range of jams, juices, and salts!
Covering over 300 hectares of land, the estate is a haven of serenity, with olive trees and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see.
And with an expert guide leading the way, you’ll be able to appreciate the wonders of this production farm and enjoy a tasting of five types of olive oil and delicious wine.
This tour includes: Estate visit and tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Discover the secrets of wine-making in Italy with a Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the Winemaker at a family-owned winery.
Wander through ancient cellars and vineyards near Bologna while sipping on three different wines. All will be paired with scrumptious delicacies to give you a taste of regional food as well.
Meet the winemaker, Paolo, and learn about the cultural heritage of the cellar. You’ll feel like a true Italian as you take in the stunning views of wine country from the terrace.
Choose between morning or afternoon tours, whichever suits your fancy. Don’t miss this authentic wine experience in the Emilia Romagna region!
This tour includes: Winery tour, four tastings of wine, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Boutique Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Food in Bologna takes you to Colli Bolognese, just outside of Bologna. You’ll get a chance to stroll through lush vineyards as you learn about the grapes and wine-making process before heading to the winery.
There, you’ll tour the premises and indulge in the tasting of four wines, including white, red, and sparkling wines, paired with gourmet appetizers.
This tour includes: A vineyard and winery tour, wine tasting, and appetizers. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
