Fresh olive oil, then lake views.

I love how this tasting turns something simple into a hands-on lesson. You visit the olive grove, taste extra virgin olive oil using the sensorial techniques your host teaches, and then enjoy it with local food pairings plus a glass of local wine.

The setting matters here. You’ll spend the session in a historic 17th-century building’s garden and rooms, with spectacular Lake Como views in the background. It feels like a calm pocket of the area, not a rushed stop on a checklist.

The one thing to keep in mind is value. At $83.40 per person, you should expect a guided tasting experience first and a small pairing-style food setup, not a big meal.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Olive grove time: you don’t just taste oil off a counter—you start outside where it’s grown.
• Sensorial tasting techniques: you learn how to taste olive oil beyond taste-buds.
• Food pairings + local wine: the oil gets a context with local products.
• Small group size (max 10): it stays personal and easy to ask questions.
• 17th-century garden-and-rooms setting: historic building charm with lake views.
• Most people can join: a generally accessible, participatory experience.

A 17th-century setting with Lake Como views

This experience happens around a historic 17th-century property, in the garden and inside rooms that keep the mood quiet and warm. I like that the beauty isn’t just for photos; it supports the pace of the tasting. You get lake views as you go, so the whole hour feels like you’re slowing down on purpose.

In practice, that matters if you’re the kind of traveler who gets tired of “standing in line, then leaving.” Here, the whole setup is meant for savoring: small steps, guided attention, and time to notice aromas and flavors.

If you’re visiting Lake Como for the scenery, this is one of the few ways to also taste the region in a grounded, edible way. Olive oil is made here, so you’re not consuming something imported and disconnected.

Start in Azzano: where the session begins

You meet at Via del Riale, 4/5, 22010 Azzano CO, Italy. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, so you don’t have to figure out a second transport step.

The good news is that the tour is described as near public transportation. That’s a big deal on Lake Como, where getting from place to place can turn into a half-day puzzle. If you’re staying nearby, this one keeps things simple.

Also, it runs in English, and the group is capped at 10 people. That combo usually means you won’t be shouting over a crowd, and the host can actually guide you through the tasting method.

From olive grove to guided tasting: how the experience really works

You begin with a visit to the olive grove. This is where the experience earns its name, because it links the taste back to the plant itself. You’ll then taste extra virgin olive oil using sensorial techniques the host teaches, rather than just sampling blindly.

What you’re learning is basically how to pay attention. Olive oil can taste different depending on aroma, bitterness, and intensity, and those “notes” aren’t always obvious on first try. The host’s role is to help you slow down and train your senses to pick up what’s there.

One review specifically praised Alice for explaining the olive oil process and for teaching people how to tune their taste. That’s exactly what I look for in a tasting: not just a product, but a way to understand it. Even if you buy no oil later, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what to look for next time you’re choosing olive oil at home.

You’ll also see the farm side of things. One guest described starting with the olive grove and also noticing other herbs, fruits, and vegetables grown on the property. The point isn’t a full tour of everything. It’s to show that the oil is part of a living working place.

What the sensorial techniques might feel like in the moment

You’ll likely taste the oil more than once, and not just in passing. The emphasis is on how the oil looks, how it smells, and how it feels on your palate. This is why a 1-hour duration works here: it’s enough time to guide you, taste, and then connect the oil to food.

If you’ve ever wondered why people take olive oil seriously, this is where that question gets answered.

Food pairings and local wine: what you’re eating (and why)

After the oil tasting, you move into pairings with different local products. You also get a glass of local wine, which helps many people understand the oil’s character in a more complete way.

From what you’re told to expect, the food is paired rather than served as a full restaurant meal. In other words, think “pairing tray” and bites designed to work with the oil, not a multi-course dinner.

That’s why the experience can feel perfect for some people and slightly disappointing for others. One guest said the food was really little and expected more oil tastings for the price, and suggested going for dinner instead. Another guest described a farm-fresh setup paired with the oil, then being left to enjoy the surroundings and each other, which points to a calm, paced style rather than a heavy feast.

So here’s the practical takeaway for you: if you want a learning-first tasting with small pairings, you’ll probably love it. If you’re hungry in a way that needs a meal, plan to eat before or after.

The value question: is $83.40 worth it?

At $83.40 per person for about 1 hour, you’re paying for more than the oil. You’re paying for the experience format: a guided visit to the grove, a structured sensorial lesson, and guided pairing with local products plus a glass of wine. The small group size (max 10) also supports that price, because it’s not a mass event.

Most reviews centered on the host and the learning. Alice comes through as a warm, capable guide who helped guests taste differently and understand the process. That’s the kind of value I take seriously, because you can reuse it. You won’t just remember flavors; you’ll remember how to notice them.

Still, it’s fair to consider the counterpoint. If you’re expecting lots of separate oil samples and a bigger plate of food, the pairing portion may feel light. One review even noted that production is too small to sell, which means you might not be able to take much home, depending on what’s available.

How to judge value before you go

Ask yourself two questions:

• Are you coming mainly to learn how to taste olive oil, or mainly to eat?
• Do you want a quiet guided experience with lake views, or a bigger food-and-photo event?

This experience wins on the first question.

Rain, timing, and the flow of your hour

One review mentioned rain and still described the time as wonderful. That’s a signal that the session isn’t fragile. You’ll still be able to enjoy it even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

The duration is about 1 hour. That length is ideal for pairing sessions because you get enough time to taste, compare, and reset your palate. It also means you can fit it into a Lake Como day without it swallowing your whole schedule.

Because it ends where it starts, you can keep your day clean. If you’re planning nearby meals or a sunset walk, this tour style won’t trap you in a far-off drop-off point.

Who should book this olive oil tasting with Ali di Alice?

This is a great fit if you want:

• a guided extra virgin olive oil tasting with techniques you can use again
• local food pairings and a glass of local wine
• a calm setting in a historic property with lake views
• a small group experience in English

It’s also a good option for couples, since one honeymoon guest described the way the host left them to enjoy the tray and their surroundings afterward. If you like slow travel and quieter activities, this fits.

Where you might pause is if you strongly prefer a meal-sized food experience. The pairing setup seems more like bites designed to work with oil than a heavy dinner. If that’s your priority, you might find this better as a pre-dinner tasting rather than your only food stop.

Should you book? My honest take

I’d book this if you care about olive oil beyond taste-at-first-bite. The structure—grove visit, sensorial training, then pairing with local products and wine—adds up to a genuinely useful, non-touristy experience in a beautiful setting.

I’d think twice if your main goal is a lot of food for the price. The pairing portion can feel small to some people, and the tasting format is the focus.

If you’re in Lake Como and you want one hour that feels thoughtful, scenic, and edible, E.V.O. oil of Lake Como with Ali di Alice is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the E.V.O. oil of Lake Como tasting?

It runs for about 1 hour.

What is the price per person?

The price is $83.40 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Via del Riale, 4/5, 22010 Azzano CO, Italy.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

What’s included in the experience?

You’ll taste extra virgin olive oil, enjoy food pairings with local products, and have a glass of local wine. You’ll also visit the olive grove.

Is it a mobile-ticket experience?

Yes. You’ll receive a mobile ticket.

What if I need to cancel?

Cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

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