Franciacorta & Wine Tasting on Board: Lake Como by Private Boat

A Franciacorta tasting on board is a private experience where you sip

Franciacorta — Italy's prestigious metodo classico sparkling wine, made the same way as Champagne — while cruising Lake Como on a private boat with your own captain.

At Como On Boat, the tasting is added to a private tour, so you enjoy chilled glasses and the lake's most beautiful stretches at the same time, with no crowds and no fixed schedule. It is one of our signature experiences, and it pairs naturally with a sunset cruise or a special occasion.

What is the Franciacorta tasting on board?

It is simple: an elegant private boat, your captain at the helm, and Franciacorta poured as you glide past villas and quiet coves. Rather than sit in a tasting room, you taste on the water — the scenery is the cellar door.

You can keep it light, as an add-on to a 2-, 3- or 4-hour tour.

Either way, this is a curated experience, not a bottle handed over with the keys.

What is Franciacorta. and how is it different from Champagne?

Franciacorta is Italy's answer to Champagne. It comes from the hills between Lake Iseo and Brescia in Lombardy, less than an hour from Lake Como, and it is made by the metodo classico: a second fermentation in the bottle, exactly as in the Champagne region of France. The grapes are largely the same, too: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Bianco.

	Franciacorta	Champagne
Origin	Lombardy, Italy (near Lake Iseo)	Champagne, France
Method	Metodo classico (bottle fermentation)	Méthode champenoise (the same process)
Main grapes	Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Bianco	Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Minimum ageing (non-vintage)	18 months	15 months
Style	Slightly fruitier, softer acidity (warmer climate)	Higher acidity, leaner

In short: the same painstaking method and similar grapes, from a warmer Italian climate — which is why Franciacorta tends to be a little rounder and fruitier in the glass. Tasting it where it belongs, on a lake in Lombardy, is the point.

Why a tasting on the water beats a tasting room

• The setting. No tasting room can compete with Villa del Balbianello drifting past as your glass is refilled.

• Privacy. The boat is yours. No shared tables, no schedule but your own.

• It's an occasion, not an errand. A land tasting is something you visit; this is something you remember.

• Effortless. Your captain handles everything — you simply enjoy the wine and the view.

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What's included

Your on-board tasting includes chilled Franciacorta served by the glassware and service by your captain throughout the cruise.

Price: the tasting is an add-on to a private tour, from 80€ per bottle. Tell us your group size and we'll quote it all-inclusive — no surprises on board.

How to pair it with your tour

Pairing	Why it works
2-hour tour + tasting	A relaxed aperitivo on the water around Como bay
3-hour tour + tasting	Reach the central lake and toast at Villa del Balbianello
4-hour tour + masterclass	The full Bellagio & Varenna route with a deeper guided tasting

Who it's for

Couples marking an anniversary, a small group celebrating, friends who love good wine, or a corporate group wanting something memorable rather than a meeting room. It's a natural choice for a proposal, a birthday, or simply the best afternoon of your trip.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Franciacorta tasting on board?

It's a private tasting of Franciacorta — Italy's metodo classico sparkling wine — served on a private boat while you cruise Lake Como with your own captain. With Como On Boat it's added to a private tour.

Is Franciacorta like Champagne?Yes. Franciacorta is made by the same method as Champagne (a second fermentation in the bottle) using similar grapes — Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — but comes from Lombardy, Italy, and tends to be a touch fruitier.

Can we add the tasting to any tour? The tasting can be added to our private tours. The wine masterclass pairs best with a longer cruise.

How much does it cost?It's quoted as an add-on to a private tour, from 80€ per bottle, all-inclusive. Send us your dates and group size for an exact price.

Book your tasting on the water

Tell us your dates and which tour you'd like, and we'll build the perfect tasting cruise for you — all-inclusive, no surprises. Message us on WhatsApp or request a quote.

Last updated: June 2026 · Written by Como On Boat, a private boat-tour operator on Lake Como.