Stairs and wine? In the best way. This is Venice wine night, from inside a home, where Liuba and Hugo host a 2.5-hour tasting for up to 6 people at Calle Foscari (6:00pm start). You’ll work through four pours (Prosecco, Lugana, Valpolicella, and a sweet wine) alongside Hugo’s home-made cichetti-style plates and local comfort food.

I like the format because it’s not a big-group performance: you get a personal sommelier and clear, drink-in-hand guidance as the evening moves wine to wine. One thing to consider first: the house is on the third floor with no lift, so it’s not a great match if climbing stairs is a problem.

Key highlights if you want a real Venetian evening

• Max 6 people for a low-key, conversational pace at a local home
• 4 wine tastings in one evening, paired in sequence with food
• Cichetti plus real dishes cooked by Hugo, including home-made bread
• English-led sommelier guidance from Liuba, with explanations that stay practical
• Watch the stairs: third-floor walk-up, no elevator

A small 6-person wine-and-cicchetti night at Liuba and Hugo’s home

Venice can feel like constant viewing: churches, canals, crowds. This experience flips the angle and puts you at a kitchen table vibe, inside a real apartment where the evening is built around tasting.

You meet at Calle Foscari, 3246 (near public transport), then you settle in for about 2 hours 30 minutes. The group stays small—up to 6 people—and that matters. Smaller groups mean more back-and-forth, quicker questions, and less time waiting for your glass.

Also, the hosts are not just doing a script. The best moments here come from the human side: Liuba’s wine storytelling and Hugo’s kitchen personality. In the past, people have specifically pointed out the laughter and the real, friendly talk—plus the fact that Hugo was willing to adjust food for dietary needs when possible.

The menu and pairing: Prosecco, Lugana, Valpolicella, and a sweet finish

The pacing is smart: each wine arrives with its own food partner. You’re not just sipping; you’re comparing how the flavors shift when the next plate hits the table.

Here’s the sequence you can expect:

• Prosecco (bubble start) + mixed fish cichetti

This kicks things off with light, crisp notes before the heavier flavors show up.

• Lugana (white) + savory bites

Lugana tends to stay fresh, so the pairing leans toward creamy and savory elements.

• Valpolicella (red) + meat cichetti

This is your transition into warmer, more grounded flavors.

• Sweet wine + dessert tasting

The finish is dessert first, then sweet wine’s final word.

The value here is that you get 4 distinct wine moments in one evening, not a “one wine plus snacks” setup. And since it’s led by a personal sommelier, you’re likely to leave with a better sense of how to order wine later in Venice—what to look for, and what kind of food pairing makes sense.

Hugo’s home-made cichetti and comfort dishes (what’s actually on your plate)

Cichetti are Venice’s version of tapas: small bites, often designed to pair with wine. What makes this evening work is that you’re not eating generic bar food. Hugo’s plates are home-made, and even the bread is made in-house.

Based on the sample menu, you can expect fish-forward starters, a savory white-wine course, meat for the red wine, and then a classic Venetian sweet option at the end.

Examples you might see include:

• Sardines in saor and creamed cod with the Prosecco start

These are flavorful, with a mix of tang and richness that feels very Venetian.

• For the Lugana pairing: a savory croissant with mortadella, stracchino, and pistachio grains, plus a pumpkin meatball

This blend of creamy cheese and crunchy-salty detail keeps the bites interesting without getting fancy-for-fancy’s-sake.

• For the Valpolicella pairing: a burger patty and a selection of cheeses

It’s a classic comfort move, and it gives the red wine something satisfying to stand up to.

• Sweet finish: tiramisu or typical Venetian biscuits with the sweet wine tasting

It’s an easy way to end without “one more stop” energy.

One practical tip: because the menu includes real dishes (not just tiny crackers), plan to eat this evening as your main food event. If you’re also planning dinner elsewhere, you’ll probably feel overfull unless you keep it light after.

Liuba’s sommelier style: learning without turning it into homework

Liuba’s role is the connective tissue. She’s the sommelier leading the tastings, and the point isn’t to prove you know wine terms. It’s to give you a framework for what you’re tasting and why the pairings work.

You get that in two ways:

1. Clear pacing between wines

You’re tasting four wines, in sequence. That makes it easier to notice changes rather than getting lost in one big swirl of flavor.

1. Pairing logic with the food

Each wine arrives with cichetti and Hugo’s kitchen creations, so you’re constantly linking sip to bite.

A lot of people love this part because the wine talk doesn’t feel stiff. Past evenings have been described as impressive in wine knowledge and presentation, but still warm and friendly—plus the hosts share city pointers along the way. If you want to understand Venice tastings so you can order smarter later, this structure helps.

Timing and getting there: 6:00pm, mobile ticket, and the stairs reality check

This starts at 6:00pm. Plan for the full 2 hours 30 minutes so you don’t feel rushed when the sweet wine portion arrives. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

A few logistics points matter:

• You’ll get a mobile ticket after booking.
• The tour is offered in English.
• The venue is near public transportation, which helps since you’ll be on foot.
• The big catch: the house is on the third floor with no lift, and it’s not recommended if you can’t climb stairs.

If you’re deciding on shoes, pick something grippy and comfortable. Venice streets can be uneven, and then you’re adding a staircase. Think of it like a short workout dressed up as dinner and wine.

Price and value: what you get for $102.41 per person

At $102.41 per person (about 2.5 hours), you’re paying for a very specific package:

• 4 wine tastings
• Cichetti and paired plates made by Hugo
• Personal sommelier guidance
• Glasses and place setting

What’s not included is tips, plus anything not listed above. But the core idea is that the evening bundles wine + food + expertise, and it does it in a small-group home setting.

So when you judge value, don’t compare it to just a single glass of wine at a bar. Compare it to buying multiple drinks plus several plates, while also getting guided pairing explanations. This is the kind of experience that can actually feel cheaper than doing the same thing piece by piece across several spots.

One more value angle: the group limit (up to 6 people) means the hosts can actually pace the night and adjust. That’s hard to find in bigger tasting formats.

Who should book this evening, and who might pass

This is a great fit if you want:

• a hands-on Venetian food + wine evening that feels local, not touristy
• small-group conversation instead of a rushed check-in-and-go format
• a guided wine experience led by someone who knows the bottles and can explain what you’re tasting

You may want to skip or at least think twice if:

• stairs are a deal-breaker (third floor, no elevator)
• you’re traveling with minors (it’s not available for minors)
• you’re expecting a fully private experience (it’s not listed as private)

Also, if you’re visiting Venice for the day from outside the city, watch for the possible €5 access fee on certain dates. The rules depend on the day and include exemptions, so it’s worth checking in advance using the city link provided when you book.

Should you book this Venetian evening?

Book it if you’re chasing the Venice that happens after the sightseeing clock slows down: wine, small bites, and conversation in a real home. The combination of four tastings and Hugo’s home-made food makes this more than just a tasting night—it’s a full, satisfying meal experience with structure.

Pass if stairs would be stressful for you, or if you prefer to eat and drink purely on your own timeline with no guidance. With a 6:00pm start and a third-floor walk-up, this one is best for people who can comfortably make the climb and enjoy a planned evening.

If you’re on the fence, here’s the simplest way to decide: if the idea of pairing Prosecco → Lugana → Valpolicella → sweet wine with cichetti-style plates sounds like fun (not a chore), this is the sort of evening you’ll remember long after the last canal photo.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this wine and cichetti tasting?

You start at Calle Foscari, 3246, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the experience start, and how long does it last?

It starts at 6:00pm and lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

How big is the group?

The experience has a maximum of 6 people.

How many wines will I taste?

You’ll taste 4 wines: a bubble (Prosecco), a white wine (Lugana), a red wine (Valpolicella), and a sweet wine.

What’s included in the price?

Included are the personal sommelier, tasting of 4 wines, Venetian cichetti (venetian tapas), and glasses and place setting.

What food can I expect during the evening?

You’ll have a mix of Venetian cichetti and typical products prepared by Hugo. Examples from the sample menu include sardines in saor, creamed cod, savory croissant with mortadella and stracchino, pumpkin meatball, a burger patty, a selection of cheeses, and dessert such as tiramisu or Venetian biscuits.

Is it offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

Is this suitable for minors?

No, it is not available for minors.

Is there an elevator or step-free access?

No. The house is on the third floor and, like almost all houses in Venice, does not have a lift. It’s not recommended for people who cannot climb stairs.

Is there a Venice access fee on top of the tour price?

On certain dates, some visitors staying outside Venice who visit for the day may need to pay a €5 access fee. Exemptions may apply, and you’ll find details (including which days it applies) at https://cda.ve.it.

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