Bologna Hills Wine Experience: Pignoletto Tasting in a Family Winery
4 hours
Day Trips
Bologna
Choose one of 2 locals available
Experience hosted by Paolo & Sarah
Private Tour
Carbon Neutral
Ride the train into the scenic Bologna Hills with your local host and discover a family-run winery where Pignoletto takes the spotlight. Taste, relax, or picnic among the vines — a flavorful escape just outside the city!
Destination
Bologna, Italy
Category
Day Trips
Duration
4 hours
Transport mode
Walking tour
Available languages
English, Italiano, Español
Included
Private Guide
Train Ride
All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral
Excluded
Wine tasting (more options possible
let your host know)
5 reasons to book this tour
Travel by train to the scenic Bologna Hills
Visit a historic, family-run winery known for Pignoletto
No big groups: just you and your local host
Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
Relaxed countryside vibes with a knowledgeable local host
What you can expect
Step into a world of culinary delights on this captivating day trip that promises to satisfy your taste buds and immerse you in the local gastronomic scene. Departing from the bustling streets of Bologna, your gastronomic adventure begins as you embark on a journey to discover the flavors and traditions that make Bologna Hills a culinary haven.
Leave the buzz of Bologna behind and venture into the peaceful hills of the Colli Bolognesi. Together with your local host, hop on a short train ride and enjoy a countryside stroll to reach a historic, family-owned winery — specialists in Pignoletto, the region’s beloved local wine.
Once there, you’ll choose your own tasting experience (not included in the tour price). Go for a classic winery tasting with 4 or 5 wines and local bites, or opt for a relaxing picnic in the vineyard. The picnic basket includes a bottle of Barbera or Pignoletto, crescente bread, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano, and more — all you need for a perfect moment in the hills.
Let your host know in advance which experience you'd like, and they’ll help arrange everything for a smooth and personalized visit. Please note: the winery is closed on Sundays
So, come prepared to tantalize your taste buds, expand your culinary horizons, and create unforgettable memories on this gastronomic journey through Bologna Hills. Get ready to savor the flavors, embrace the local hospitality, and discover the hidden gems that make Bologna Hills a true paradise for wine enthusiasts.
Choose your local
Get to know these 2 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.
Paolo
The Bologna Pro Lover
4.586 reviews
English・Italiano・Español
Sarah
The wine-loving writer
5.087 reviews
English・Italiano
This is the plan
Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.
Meeting point
Meet at In front of the supermarket - Bologna to start your journey
Itinerary
This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.
From Bologna to Bologna Hills:
Meet your host at the train station and hop on a short regional train to Ponte Ronca
Winery Visit and Tastings
Arrive at the winery and enjoy a guided tasting or a laid-back vineyard picnic — your choice! (wine tastings and picnic not included in tour price)
Wrap up and return
After the experience, head back to Bologna with your host or feel free to linger a little longer in wine country
Make it yours
Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.
Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.
Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.
Flexible cancellation policy
Feel confident booking
Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.
Change of plans?
Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.
Loved by travelers worldwide
Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.
Reviews from guests
Angelique🇳🇱 Netherlands
(About local )
4 August 2025
De tour met Paolo was top!! We kunnen niet anders zeggen. We hebben dingen geproefd en plekken gezien die we zonder hem niet geproefd hadden of voorbij gelopen hadden. Ook over de verhalen achter het eten en de gebouwen weet Paolo veel te vertellen. Het mooie is dat je Bologna op een andere manier leert kennen. Zeker een aanrader voor als je een bezoek aan de stad gaat brengen. Het mooiste is om dit te doen aan het begin van je trip want Paolo heeft ook vele suggesties voor eten, drinken en authentieke restaurants. Fantastisch
Lydia🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
2 August 2025
Paolo was very friendly and had great stories throughout our entire tour. It felt like meeting up with an old friend! He took us to some great spot, introduced us to foods and places we wouldn’t have tried on our own. Lots of fun!
Lisa Marie🇦🇹 Austria
(About local )
26 July 2025
Sarah was a fantastic guide! She contacted us ahead of time to ask about our preferences and allergies or if there is anything we don‘t eat. Her tour included local highlights as well as lesser known gems and we immediately fell in love with the Pignoletto! Sarah told us a lot about Bolognese culture and cuisine, and provided all sorts of recommendations which were very helpful for the rest of our trip. She even sent us a list of her 18 favorite restaurants and wine bars with short descriptions and after our tour she texted us recipes for famous local dishes.
It was the absolute best way to start our trip and we highly recommend Sarah‘s food tours to anyone, especially if you haven‘t been to Bologna!Best way to start a trip!
James🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
10 July 2025
Our food tour with Paolo was fabulous. His passion for food and Bologna itself is clearly evident and infectious. The tour itself was well thought out and perfectly paced, providing an experience that is only possibly with the help of a guide. Thanks Paolo!Bologna Bites are Better
Nita🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
13 June 2025
The food tour was a really good insight into the foods and wines of Emilia Romana. Sarah is really passionate about Bologna and we really learnt a lot about the region and its specialities. Bologna Food tour
njlondon
(About local )
26 May 2025
Excellent mixture of food experiences with history and humour from Paolo in his beautiful city.
We will never make the mistake of mixing spaghetti with meat again!! One of several food “monstrosities”
Highly recommended Fantastic food tour with Paolo
Barbara🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
19 May 2025
Family of 5 from Canada (all adults) went on this tour with Sarah Friday. Sarah was very responsive to questions we had beforehand and also reached out with details etc. She is well organized and the tour ran smoothly. The walk through the countryside was amazing. Both wineries were very welcoming and generous. Highly recommend this tour with Sarah. 2 wineries tour with Sarah
James
(About local )
18 May 2025
we had a disastrous time with our 2 bookings with this organisation and were mucked around so much we finished up cancelling one of the planned tours. But finally and after much correspondence we got Paolo and all the problems were forgotten. He was great and showed us a side of the Bolognaise food we had never seen before. His knowledge and clarity of explanation were both very good.Finally someone good
Alex🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
16 May 2025
Truly our favorite part of our Bologna trip. Paolo was incredible from his knowledge of history and cuisine to his friendliness with all those we met at each shop as well as his general, fun demeanor. We learned, we ate, we laughed. I couldn’t have asked for a better food tour or guide. Grazie, Paolo! You’ve got to book your tour with Paolo
Jann🇪🇸 Spain
(About local )
14 May 2025
We spent a lovely morning with Paolo. He was both knowledgeable and entertaining. He was also very patient with our questions and at the times we took a little longer than necessary - balsamic vinegar tasting for example, this was great fun!
I think though rather than a food tour I would recommend a historical walking tour of Bologna as you can get the food everywhere, at your own pace. Charismatic and informative
Samantha🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
8 May 2025
Sarah was very generous with her time for us. Not only did we get flavors from several places in the market and around town, but she toured us around other interesting locations that had nothing to do with the tasting tour. She has a vast knowledge of Bologna and is a sommelier with intimate knowledge of wine in the region. Having done a different food tour last week in Venice, which was also lovely, we appreciated this curated experience that didn’t leave us feeling too stuffed to walk - we were happy and satisfied. We would highly recommend Sarah, who was very accommodating to our involuntary schedule change (don’t ask) and extremely helpful. Very kind and knowledgeable
Mary
(About local )
17 April 2025
Paolo knew all the best spots to hit. He introduced us to local cuisine we did not know existed. He was attentive to my limitations and we walked at my pace. There was never any pressure to buy. I loved the old indoor market and could have strolled there longer! I highly recommend him as a guide with excellent English.A great day in Bologna
Jean
(About local )
12 April 2025
We had a great time with Paolo on a food tour with just the two of us. We learned alot and enjoyed all the samplings along the route. Thanks Paolo for being such a fabulous guide!Fun and friendly foodie tour
Anna
(About local )
6 April 2025
We had a walk around Bologna with Sarah for well over three hours. On the way we experienced the amazing food this region has to offer. In addition to the well known hams and cheeses, Sarah introduced us to other stuff on the menu that we probably wouldn’t have tried if it hadn’t been for her recommendation. In addition to the food and wine tastings, Sarah shared her knowledge of Bologna’s history and culture. A perfect day to discover this hidden gem! Heaven for a foodie
Jamie🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
5 April 2025
Paolo was wonderful to tour with, showcasing not only a vast knowledge of the city, but also history of the food and restaurants he showed us! Arrive hungry because these are not tiny tastings and you will end the day very happy and full!
Special thanks to Paolo for working around my mobility issues and our dietary restraints. He was very accommodating and understanding!
Grazie Mille, Paolo! Sono felice incontrarti!Knowledge to share and very flexible!
Boo🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
16 February 2025
Sarah is a lovely person, knowledgeable, funny, and kind. I was in town researching a new novel, and she helped paint such a lovely picture of Bologna, through history, food, and wine. Don't think twice about hiring her! I never could have found the special haunts and hidden spots without her.sensational guide!
Sally
(About local )
19 January 2025
Paola was wonderful! He was so knowledgeable & very friendly. We enjoyed our tour with him very much! Highly recommend! Paolo was a fantastic tour guide!
Hilary🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
2 December 2024
We had an amazing time with Paolo for a food tour of Bologna. He took us to real gems that highlighted the local products and gave us a great overview both of the culinary history of the region and Bologna in general. We learned a lot and left with full bellies and greater appreciation and understanding of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the area. I am still dreaming of the perfect Tigella treats and that ultimate espresso! Grazie Mille, Paolo!Deep knowledge of culinary delights!
Kate🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
21 October 2024
Sarah is very knowledgeable about wines and gave us a great insight into some of the most iconic foods of the region, as well as a little information about the city throughout the tour. She was very generous with her time, and helpful with her communications before meeting. The tastings were spot on in terms of variety and quantities. All in all the tour gave us a great introduction to city and its culinary offerings, and left us only hungry to explore more! Definitely recommended.Great intro to Bologna's food and wine
Thomas E🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
20 October 2024
A terrific intro to Bolgnese cuisine.
Personable, knowledgeable, interesting.
Got some great restaurant recommendations, too.Worth doung!
Margaret🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
15 October 2024
I signed up for a basic food tasting tour with Paolo, but got so much more! Paolo is a wealth of information about bolognese food as well as a historian. He explained the 3000 year history of the city concisely and hit high notes! He was patient with questions and never rushed us.
I would spend a day with Paolo even if there was no fabulous food involved! Wonderful Tour
Christal
(About local )
3 October 2024
I'm a demo cooking instructor and my husband is reallly into wines -- Sarah curated a wonderful food and wine tour that met all our interests and expectations. She always managed to throw in wonderful stories and history tidbits about Bologna and we never would have found anywhere else. Loved her, loved the tour!
Sarah KNOWS Bologna!
Yvonne 🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
18 September 2024
We enjoyed a personalized 3 hour food tour with Paulo which was fantastic. His local knowledge of all the foods and the history of Bologna was first class and delivered in an interesting and relatable way. Paulos English is excellent so we felt lucky to have spent the time with him and now feel we have a rich understanding of Bologna. Strongly recommend 10
Peter🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
17 September 2024
We’re so grateful to Sarah for such an enjoyable time. The ten tastings of Bologna more than lived up to its name. We really appreciated how Sarah adapted the tour to the things we told her we liked, and the result was an afternoon that left us satisfied with the things we ate and drank as well as what we saw and learned of the city. The beautiful weather helped, of course, but that’s just a bonus. We peppered Sarah all kinds of questions, not just about the food, and she gave us great advice for the rest of our time in Bologna. Plus, she was so welcoming and friendly. We’re so happy we booked a tour with her!What a fantastic afternoon!
George
(About local )
12 September 2024
Paolo was a wonderful guide for our private tour. He is passionate about his city of Bologna, and very knowledgeable about its history and culture. Would highly recommend.Bologna Tour with Paolo
Heidi🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
27 August 2024
I am a travel agent and I sent me clients on a walking tour of Bologna with Paolo. They had a wonderful time. They loved his historical knowledge and he took them down logs of cool alleyways and showed cool architecture.
Paolo is very open to doing what the client wants. My clients were unsure what they wanted to see so Paolo took them to the canals first and that was perfect. His communication with me was excellent. I would definitely recommend Paolo as a guide.My Clients Had a wonderful time with Paolo
Irwin
(About local )
24 July 2024
We had a v we y nice tour with Paolo. He was very informative about Bologna and it's history. We learned a geat deal about the foods of the area. Good experience.
Jennifer🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
15 July 2024
We took this private tour on our first evening in Bologna so that we could take a deep dive into the local cuisine. Paolo was the perfect guide. He has curated an extremely well-rounded experience that truly showcases what this region offers - meats, cheeses, balsamic vinegar, pasta, pastry, and wines. Paolo is extremely knowledgable and incredibly passionate about his city and its amazing food. I highly recommend this experience. A Fun & Informative Culinary Experience
Natalie🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
6 July 2024
Paolo was a great tour guide. He took us to try some amazing authentic cuisine and provided us with background on the dishes and their importance to Bologna and the region. Added bonus was the historical information he shared as we passed by significant landmarks on our walk. Would highly recommend!Great Food Tour
Nishit🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
2 July 2024
Paolo was a fantastic guide , providing historical context and a deep understanding of the town. He was also able to provide what turned out to be wonderful recommendations for restaurants and bars. Hire Paolo! Highly knowledgeable and friendly guide
Sean🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
24 June 2024
Paolo was wonderful and fun. He knows EVERYTHING about Bologna. He gave great restaurant recommendations too.Fantastic experience
Sue
(About local )
17 June 2024
We booked a last minute food tour with Paolo to learn more about the food in Bologna. It was well worth our time. Paolo was knowledgeable about the food and the city of Bologna. We learned a lot about the city and food that we may not have learned had we not done this tour. Paolo was delightful and we enjoyed our time with him. Great food tour with Paolo
Linda🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
4 June 2024
Sarah was very knowledgeable and friendly. She knew about the history of the food and wine, and even gave us a walking tour of the town. Highly recommend! Excellent food tour of Bologna
Marco
(About local )
1 June 2024
Paolo war sehr nett und fachkundig. Er konnte viel zum Essen und der Stadt erzählen. Leider hat er die Tour bereits nach zwei statt nach drei Stunden Stunden beendet. Auch die Essensauswahl war sehr überschaubar. Dafür war die Tour deutlich zu teuer. Schöne Tour, leider viel zu kurz
Keith
(About local )
23 May 2024
We had a fabulous tour of Bologna with Paolo. He was the perfect host for our 10 tastings tour. 10 tastings of Bologna
Ingrid🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
14 May 2024
I enjoyed every minute of my tour with Paolo. He is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Bologna!! I highly recommend this tour for a customized exploration of the city!Excellent local guide!!
Scott🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
17 April 2024
Sarah gave a great tour with lots of background and history
Her knowledge of local wines was fantastic Food Capital of the World
Bryan🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
12 April 2024
We had a lovely time with Sarah. It was nice to converse with her on a variety of topics about the area as the tour was just my wife and me. The wine and food she chose for the tour were excellent and amazing quality - we'll certainly be locating some Pignoletto!Magical Bologna Food and Wine Tour
Mari
(About local )
3 April 2024
Sarah had organized an absolutely brilliant program for our wine tour. We, the wine club Viinikissat/Winecats (group of six) from Finland, were very satisfied with the tour. There were delicious wine tastings on the way and Sarah told interesting stories about the regions history while we admired the city's murals. We had fun! Thanks Sarah!An excellent wine tour!
Anja
(About local )
31 March 2024
It was a wonderful and special day with Paolo. He had to handle a family with 3 Teenager and he made it perfect ☺️ He showed us delicious street food and had a lot of knowledge about history things. Thanks for the day, Paolo! Tasty Bologna
Richard🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
5 November 2023
Sarah was a delightful guide, showing us interesting wine bars and explaining their background. We explored the regional wines, always accompanied by snacks from the area. Highly recommended.
ted.morettin
(About local )
19 October 2023
Sarah did an awesome job personalizing a good and drink tour of Bologna for us. Many great food and wine tastings, with a bit of town history blended in. Thank youSarah’s sensational food experience
Peter🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
3 October 2023
Paolo was very friendly and a real fun character.
He was very knowledgeable about Bologna and local foods.
I would highly recommend. Great guide and a Fun day out
PAM🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
11 September 2023
A warm, sunny Sunday afternoon was made even better by a walking tour with Sarah, an accomplished travel journalist, wine writer and thirty year resident of the city.
The tour takes in several bars which also serve snacks, some of the major attractions of Bologna and Sarah provides a stream of information on markets, bars, restaurants and other local items of interest.
Sarah’s focus during our tour was on wines from Emilia-Romagna, including the internationally obscure but very seductive Albano variety.
Sarah is an engaging and natural communicator with a passion for her work and was most generous with her time. An afternoon well spent.Best bars and bites in Bologna
Jason🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
31 August 2023
We had a great time with Paolo - the tour was equal parts history, learning about Bologna, and delicious.
Paolo's sense of humour turned a tour with a guide into a walk around Bologna with a friend.
Highly recommended! Fantastic experience in Bologna!
Gill🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
13 August 2023
Was a pleasure meeting Paolo and exploring Bologna with him; seeing his city, tasting the foods and learning about both the city and food history. Very informative, presented with humour and passion.Passionate Paolo
Mark🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
29 July 2023
Overall, it was a pretty good experience. Things started off a little shaky, when I went to the wrong door and after a little bit of confusion he met up with this but he seemed a bit miffed at the snafu. Not a great beginning. He had put together a good tour and we really did enjoy it. However, there were times when he seemed either distracted and or a disinterested, and he was on his phone quite a bit. He also didn't give us any introductory overview of what to expect, and my tour partner had to ask him what do we expect. He actually seemed surprised by the question. Probably the highlight of the tour was where we ended up; a cute little bar area where you can bring in your own food that dated back to the 1400s. It truly seemed like a little hole in the wall, and we felt like the locals who knew about a private little spot. Great food, but could have been better
Micaela
(About local )
11 July 2023
Sarah is a brilliant guide and we had the best day exploring the vineyards and wineries, meeting the lovely winemakers and of course tasting delicious wines (and food). We learned so much about Emilia-Romagna which is a totally underrated Italian wine region. Thank you, Sarah!
Bradie🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
11 July 2023
We had a great time on our Tour with Paolo. We tasted local dishes and wines and received some great recommendations for restaurants and places to explore in Bologna. Overall a brilliant day and would recommend to others. Great tour with Paolo
Melanie🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
6 July 2023
Paolo was a great guide - we tasted many different flavours of Bologna. Everything we ate was delicious and felt very authentic Bolognese. Paolo explained lots of the local customs and ways of eating. The Osteria was a revelation - who knew we’d like Lambrusco. All ghosts of teenage parties were laid to rest! Thanks to Paolo for a great intro. As I write this we are sitting in one of the bars he has recommended, it has not disappointed. We recommend Paolo 100%. Find the hidden food dpots of Bologna
Withlocals experiences
are always
Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.