Four wines, poured at a real home.

This evening is interesting because Liuba (a sommelier) walks you through a mini wine journey, then Hugo matches it with homemade Venetian cicchetti. You start with bubbles, move through a crisp white, a classic red, and finish with something sweet, all paired with plates that feel like they came from someone’s actual kitchen. The vibe is local, not staged.

One real consideration: the house is on the third floor with no lift, so stairs are part of the deal. If climbing is hard for you, this won’t be a fun night.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Four wine tastings, starting with a bubble and ending with a sweet pour
• Homemade Venetian cicchetti (and even bread) matched bite-for-bite
• Maximum 6 travelers, which keeps the conversation relaxed and useful
• Personal sommelier guidance from Liuba, so you get the why behind the wine
• Hugo’s cooking style, mixing seafood, meat, and classic Venetian comfort food

A Venetian Night That Doesn’t Feel Like a Performance

If Venice is the stage, this is the quieter back room where people actually talk, taste, and eat. You meet at Calle Foscari and then step into a home setting where the focus stays on wine + cicchetti, not fancy presentation or a rush through photo stops.

I like how this format gives you a clear structure. Most food tours in Venice can blur together because you’re moving constantly. Here, the evening stays in one place for about 2 hours 30 minutes, so your palate has time to adjust between styles—sparkling, dry white, red, and sweet—without feeling like you’re sprinting.

The other thing I like: the pairing isn’t random. Hugo’s menu includes mixed fish cicchetti and more substantial bites, while Liuba keeps the tasting organized so you can tell what changes from one pour to the next.

And yes, there will be stairs. Venice loves them. This one is more than a little stair climb, because the home is on the third floor with no lift.

How the Evening Flows (And Why That Matters)

The tour runs from 6:00 pm and ends back at the same meeting point. With a group size capped at 6 people, you’re not squeezed into a loud room. That matters because wine tasting works best when you can ask a question and actually get an answer.

You’ll get:

• A personal sommelier (Liuba) guiding the tasting
• Four wines across the evening
• Venetian cicchetti plus typical homemade products from Hugo
• Glasses and a place setting

This is the kind of setup that helps you learn without feeling like you’re in a classroom. You taste, you compare, you talk. And because there are only a few seats, you’re more likely to remember what you learned than if you’re guessing who to ask.

One practical note: the tour is offered in English, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket. You’ll also want to arrive with enough time to find the meeting spot comfortably, since the evening starts right at 6:00 pm.

The Wine Flight: Prosecco, Lugana, Valpolicella, and Dessert Sweet Wine

This tasting is built like a sequence, not a random sampler. You’ll start with bubbles and then move through three different styles, ending with sweetness.

Here’s the wine lineup you should plan around:

Sparkling start

You begin with Prosecco. It’s a smart opening in Venice because bubbles cut through the salty, briny flavors you’ll see next—think seafood cicchetti and fish-based bites.

White wine tasting: Lugana

Next comes a white wine tasting of Lugana. Lugana is usually chosen because it tends to stay crisp and refreshing, so it works well after the initial sparkling course and before you switch into red.

Red wine tasting: Valpolicella

Then you move to Valpolicella for the red. This is a classic choice for pairing with meatier bites and richer flavors, so the food progression makes sense rather than feeling like a reset.

Sweet finale

You close with a sweet wine and dessert tasting—either tiramisu or typical Venetian biscuits. The goal is contrast: you end on a note that’s clearly different from the dry wines earlier in the night.

If you’re trying to understand Italian wine without getting lost in grape names and regions, this sequence is practical. You learn by comparing styles in order.

Hugo’s Cicchetti and Homemade Comfort Food

Hugo’s cooking is the reason this evening feels like a real Venetian home dinner. The cicchetti you’ll taste are Venetian-style tapas, but the menu here leans toward proper homemade food rather than just small bar snacks.

The sample menu gives you a sense of the mix. Expect seafood early, plus bites that feel both playful and satisfying.

Early courses: fish-forward flavors

You start with Prosecco and mixed fish cicchetti, including:

• Sardines in saor
• Creamed cod

Saor is one of those Venetian flavors that can taste both tangy and comforting, and it pairs naturally with bubbles because acidity helps keep everything lively.

Mid courses: a white-wine pairing with a salty bite

During the Lugana tasting, you’ll have savory items such as:

• Savory croissant with mortadella, stracchino, and pistachio grains
• Pumpkin meatball

That mix is telling. Hugo doesn’t stick to only seafood or only cheese boards. You get a wider Venetian comfort-food feel, and it helps you taste how the wine handles both creamy and savory elements.

Red wine pairing: meatier bites and cheeses

For the Valpolicella tasting, the menu shifts to meat-forward cicchetti, plus cheese:

• A burger patty
• A selection of cheeses

This portion is where you’ll likely appreciate the pairing logic most. Red wine tastes different when there’s more fat and protein on the plate. Valpolicella helps balance that richer direction.

Dessert: sweet wine with tiramisu or biscuits

At the end, you’ll taste sweet wine alongside dessert:

• Tiramisu
• or typical Venetian biscuits

It’s a classic way to close: dry and semi-dry wines earlier, then sweetness at the finish.

One extra point I appreciate: the evening can be adapted for dietary restrictions when possible. If you have a specific need, tell them ahead of time so Hugo can adjust the menu thoughtfully rather than you just skipping half the food.

Where You Meet and the One Thing You Must Plan For: Stairs

Meeting point is Calle Foscari, 3246, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy, and you start at 6:00 pm. Public transportation is nearby, but the walk will be part of Venice. Wear shoes you’re comfortable with for uneven stone.

Now the big logistics detail: the house is on the third floor and there’s no lift. This is not a “quick flight of stairs” situation. It’s a core factor of the experience, and it’s why the tour is labeled not recommended for anyone who can’t climb stairs.

If you’re traveling with mobility limits or heavy luggage, I’d consider saving your energy for a different evening. If stairs are fine for you, plan for them and you’ll be rewarded with the most local-feeling setting on your calendar.

Also note: the tour is not available for minors. This is an adult evening focused on wine tasting and conversation.

Finally, there’s the Venice access reality. On certain dates, if you’re staying outside Venice and visiting for the day, you may need to pay a €5 access fee. Check the rules on cda.ve.it for which days apply and exemptions.

Value for Money: What $102.41 Buys You (Really)

At $102.41 per person, you’re paying for more than just wine and food. You’re paying for time, access, and expertise—especially because it’s a small group and a home setting.

Here’s what’s included:

• Four wines (bubble, white, red, sweet)
• Cicchetti and typical products from Hugo, including homemade items
• Personal sommelier guidance
• Glasses and a place setting

In a city where “tapas-style” can sometimes mean a few bites and a vague story, this is structured. The wine flight gives you a clear path to understand what you’re tasting. The food is matched to that tasting, so you’re not just eating because it’s there.

Group size matters too. With a maximum of 6 travelers, you’re more likely to get real explanations rather than a lecture you can’t hear or questions you can’t ask.

Is it a bargain? For Venice, it’s priced like an intimate experience, not like a mass-market dinner. If you like wine, like food pairings, or just want a calmer way to see Venice from the inside, it tends to feel like good value.

Who This Experience Fits Best

This is a great match if you want:

• A wine-focused evening with real guidance from Liuba
• Venetian cicchetti that go beyond the usual tourist shortcuts
• A cozy group size where conversation is part of the point
• A home-cooked feel with clear courses and pairings

It may not fit if:

• You can’t climb stairs (third-floor, no lift)
• You’re traveling with kids (not available for minors)
• You prefer ultra-casual dining where no wine education happens

One more tip: if you’re visiting Venice for a short time and you’re trying to pick one “local” food moment, this is a strong contender. It’s not just eating; it’s learning how locals think about wine and pairing.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Night

You don’t need to be a wine expert. You do need to show up ready to taste and compare.

• Try not to rush. The best part is noticing how each course changes the next sip.
• If you have dietary needs, mention them clearly ahead of time so the menu can be adjusted.
• Bring curiosity. Liuba’s role is to explain, not to overwhelm you with facts.
• Pace yourself with water, especially since you’ll have multiple pours.

Also, since you’re in a home, treat it like a home: arrive on time, keep voices friendly, and enjoy the slow rhythm.

Should You Book Vini and Cichetti at Liuba and Hugo’s Home?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a Venetian wine + cicchetti evening that feels personal, structured, and genuinely local. The combination of four tasting wines, Hugo’s homemade food, and Liuba’s sommelier guidance makes it more than a meal—it’s a one-night crash course in how wine and Venetian flavors fit together.

Skip it if stairs are an issue for you, or if you’d rather do a walk-and-snack style tour. Venice has plenty of options. This one is for people who can handle stairs and want a calm, intimate night with good food, good wine, and real conversation.

FAQ

What time does the evening start?

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

Where do we meet?

You meet at Calle Foscari, 3246, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to a maximum of 6 travelers.

What wines are included in the tasting?

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

What food is included during the tasting?

You’ll have Venetian cicchetti plus typical homemade products prepared by Hugo. The sample menu includes items like sardines in saor, creamed cod, and tiramisu or Venetian biscuits.

Is the experience suitable for children or minors?

No. It is not available for minors.

Is there an accessibility option if I can’t climb stairs?

No. The house is on the third floor and there is no lift, so it’s not recommended for those who cannot climb stairs.

Is there an access fee for some visitors to Venice?

On certain dates, day visitors staying outside Venice may need to pay a €5 access fee. You can check applicable dates and exemptions at cda.ve.it.

FAQ

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes a personal sommelier, tasting of 4 wines, Venetian cicchetti, and glasses and a place setting.

Are tips included?

No. Tips are not included.

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