Wine and olive oil tasting & farm tour

Taste Tuscany at the source. This small farm experience near Lucca combines a short country walk, five wines, olive oil, local food, and wide views from a panoramic tasting room. I especially like the family-run setting and the generous food served with the tasting. The main drawback is that the walk may be brief or skipped on a busy day, and the experience leans more toward wine than olive oil.

At $43.25 per person, this is a fair deal if you want a compact taste of the Lucca countryside without committing to a full-day excursion. You should allow some flexibility, though: the advertised duration is about one hour, while some visits have lasted closer to a couple of hours once lunch and conversation got going.

Key points to know before booking

• Five wines and one olive oil: The tasting focuses mainly on the farm’s wines, with olive oil included as part of the lineup.
• A real farm setting: You can walk through the vineyards, olive groves, gardens, and courtyard when conditions and scheduling allow.
• Local food is included: Bread, cheeses, bruschetta, and other typical farm products accompany the tasting.
• Panoramic tasting room: The indoor tasting space has broad views and a covered patio that helps on hot or humid days.
• Small-group format: The experience is generally limited to 10 people, although the official maximum is also listed as 12.
• Plan your transport: The farm is in Capannori, outside Lucca’s historic center, and taxis can be hard to find in the area.

Arriving at Azienda Agricola Colle di Bordocheo

The farm is at Via di Piaggiori Basso 123 in Capannori, in the countryside near Lucca. This is not a walking tour from Lucca’s city walls. You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, so transport deserves attention before you book.

That is one of the less polished parts of the outing. A group of four paid 30 euros for a driver to reach the farm, while a larger group arranged a minivan back toward Lucca for 45 euros. On another occasion, the sommelier helped arrange a return ride because taxis were difficult to find.

Those arrangements are useful examples, but you should not treat them as a guaranteed transfer service. Ask about transport when booking, especially if you do not have a car. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point, so you also need a plan for the return.

The drive itself is part of the appeal. As you leave Lucca, the setting becomes more rural, with vineyards, olive trees, and open views around the farm. You are coming here for a change of pace, not simply for a drink in town.

The short walk through the farm

The visit begins with a short walk so you can see the property and get a basic feel for the area. Depending on the day, this may include the vineyards, olive trees, gardens, courtyard, and nearby farm grounds.

This walk matters because it gives the wine and oil a sense of place. You see the crops before tasting what they produce. One particularly enjoyable visit included an explanation of how the olive trees and grapevines are cared for, along with a look at fava beans growing on the farm.

Keep your expectations measured. The walk is described as short, not as a full agricultural tour. One visit did not include it because the farm was very busy. The owner openly acknowledged that this was a miss, which is reassuring, but the practical lesson is clear: if the outdoor portion is your main reason for coming, confirm what is planned on your date.

The farm is organic, an appealing detail for anyone interested in low-impact agriculture and traditional production. The information provided does not explain the farm’s exact organic methods, certifications, or harvest schedule, so you should ask questions during the visit if those subjects matter to you.

Inside the panoramic tasting room

After the walk, you settle into a panoramic room with views over the surrounding countryside. The tasting space is described as clean, comfortable, and updated, with a terrace or covered patio available in some settings.

That comfort makes a difference. Tuscany can be hot and humid, and one family found the covered patio a welcome break from the heat. You can enjoy the scenery without standing in full sun, which is especially helpful when the tasting stretches beyond the advertised hour.

The guide explains the farm’s background, the area’s wine and olive oil traditions, and the steps involved in production. Guides Antonella and Barbara received especially warm praise for their friendly manner, clear English, and ability to answer questions. Their style appears personal rather than formal. You may hear about the family, the property, local dishes, and practical ideas for the rest of your trip.

This is not a silent tasting where someone simply pours and moves on. The value comes from the explanations. You learn why the products taste as they do and how the farm connects them to its setting.

Five wines, one olive oil, and plenty to eat

The standard tasting includes five wines and one olive oil. That balance is important: this is a wine-centered farm visit with an olive oil component, not a dedicated olive oil production class.

The wine selection gives you a useful range of the farm’s work. You can compare bottles while learning about the grapes, production stages, and the family’s approach. Several people found the wines excellent, and one group enjoyed hearing the story connected with each bottle.

The olive oil was a major highlight for many people, especially when tasted with fresh bread. Still, the visit may not satisfy you if you want a technical lesson on pressing, filtering, storage, or milling. One person specifically wanted more detail about oil production after seeing the olive harvest. That is a fair limitation to keep in mind.

The food helps turn a tasting into a light lunch. Expect bread, cheeses, bruschetta, and other typical local produce. The tour description says lunch is included, while individual accounts describe generous plates rather than a formal restaurant-style meal. If you arrive expecting several full courses, adjust that expectation. If you want a tasty country lunch paired with wine and oil, the arrangement makes good sense.

The food is not an afterthought. Fresh bread gives the oil a simple test, while cheese and savory toppings help you see how the wines work with local ingredients. You are tasting the products in the way they are meant to appear on a Tuscan table.

What makes the hosts special

The human side of this experience gets as much attention as the food. Antonella and Barbara are repeatedly described as warm, personable, and easy to understand in English. A third-generation owner has also welcomed groups at the farm, adding a direct family connection to the property.

That personal approach can change the feel of a small tour. When the group is tiny, the guide can answer individual questions and adjust the conversation to your interests. One booking became a private tasting because it was the only group that day.

The small size is one of the best reasons to choose this activity. The experience is advertised for no more than 10 people, while the additional information gives a maximum of 12. That small discrepancy is worth noting, but either figure is more intimate than a large coach outing.

You may also receive practical food advice for the rest of your time in Italy. One host suggested local dishes to try and offered tips for the wider trip. Those informal details are often what make a farm visit feel connected to the place rather than packaged as a quick tasting stop.

How long should you plan for?

The official duration is approximately one hour. That is useful if you are trying to fit the farm into a busy Lucca day, but the actual rhythm can be slower when the group asks questions, enjoys lunch, or lingers over the wines.

Several descriptions refer to a couple of hours or an afternoon. That does not mean you should assume a fixed two-hour itinerary. It means you should avoid scheduling something immediately afterward, particularly if transport is involved.

The short format works well for a half-day plan. You can visit the farm, return to Lucca, and still have time for the city walls, churches, or an evening meal. If you want a long agricultural workshop or an entire day in the countryside, this is probably too compact.

Is the $43.25 price good value?

At $43.25 per person, the price covers the farm visit, wine and olive oil tasting, local food, and the guide’s explanation. It also includes access to a setting with views, gardens, and a courtyard rather than limiting you to a shop counter.

I consider that good value for a food-focused stop, particularly if you make full use of the lunch and tasting. Five wines alone can make a tasting feel worthwhile, and the food gives you something substantial to eat rather than a few token crackers.

Transport is the main extra cost to consider. The price does not state that transfers from Lucca are included. If you need a private driver or shared minivan, add that expense to your budget before comparing this with tours that include transportation.

The value is strongest for couples, families, or small groups who already have a car or can share a ride. It is less convenient for solo visitors who must arrange transport separately, though the modest tour price may still offset part of that inconvenience.

Who will enjoy this farm visit most?

You should book this if you like wine, olive oil, local food, and relaxed conversations with the people who produce them. It is especially suited to anyone looking for a quick break from Lucca’s streets and a look at the countryside around Capannori.

Food lovers will appreciate the bread, cheeses, bruschetta, and farm products served with the tasting. Wine drinkers will get more from the visit than someone who avoids alcohol, since five of the featured pours are wines.

Families can enjoy the open setting and the food, though the experience centers on tasting and discussion rather than a dedicated children’s program. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

I would be cautious about booking if your priority is a detailed olive oil course. You will taste the oil and hear about production, but the schedule and emphasis favor wine. I would also confirm the walking portion if seeing the vineyards and olive groves is essential.

Practical details that can affect your day

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at booking, which makes it easy to keep the details on your phone.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Italian time.

The activity returns to the starting point at Via di Piaggiori Basso 123. Since the farm is outside central Lucca, do not arrive without considering how you will get back. Taxi availability around the property can be limited.

The experience is often booked about 23 days ahead. That does not guarantee it will sell out, but it is a useful sign that you should reserve early if your Lucca dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular day.

Should you book the Colle di Bordocheo tasting?

I would book this farm visit if you want an affordable, friendly introduction to Tuscan wine and olive oil, with food and countryside views included. The warm hosts, small groups, organic farming, and relaxed tasting room give it more character than a basic retail tasting.

Go in knowing what it is. It is a short farm visit with five wines, one olive oil, and a light local lunch. The walk can be brief, transport requires planning, and the olive oil portion may not satisfy a specialist.

For most people staying in or around Lucca, the combination works very well. Arrange your ride, leave room in your schedule, and come ready to ask questions. If you do that, $43.25 buys a pleasant taste of rural Tuscany without taking over your entire day.

FAQ

Where does the wine and olive oil tasting take place?

The experience begins and ends at Azienda Agricola Colle di Bordocheo, Via di Piaggiori Basso 123, 55012 Capannori LU, Italy.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is approximately one hour. Some visits have taken closer to a couple of hours because of the tasting, food, questions, and conversation.

What is included in the price?

The $43.25 price includes the farm experience, a short walk when scheduled, wine and olive oil tastings, explanations about production and tradition, and a lunch of typical local dishes and produce.

How many wines and olive oils are tasted?

The experience includes five wines and one olive oil.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is transportation from Lucca included?

The provided information does not state that transportation from Lucca is included. The meeting point is in Capannori, and you are responsible for planning how to reach and leave the farm.

How large is the group?

The experience is described as a small-group tour with no more than 10 people. The additional information lists a maximum of 12, so the exact limit may vary.

Can most people participate, and are service animals allowed?

Yes. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not eligible for a refund.