Olive oil and wine, in a real farm. This small-group visit at Azienda Agricola Colle di Bordocheo pairs panoramic tastings with a proper meal, so you get more than a sip-and-run stop around Lucca. I like that it stays intimate (up to 12 people) and that you taste the farm’s products alongside explanations of how grapes and olives move from plant to bottle.

One thing to consider: the walking part is meant to be short, and the experience is very much centered on wine plus olive oil tasting rather than a long, stand-alone olive oil class.

Key highlights at Colle di Bordocheo

• Up to 12 people, so the tasting feels personal, not rushed
• Panoramic tasting room with sweeping views over the countryside
• Tasting format includes 1 olive oil and 5 wines, plus food pairings
• Lunch is included, with typical local dishes and local produce
• Short walk through the farm’s gardens and courtyard before you taste
• Production story from vine and grove to the table, explained in English

A 1-hour farm break that feels like you left town

This tour works best when you want a quick change of pace from Lucca. The timing is tight—about an hour—so it is not trying to fill your whole day. Instead, you get a focused hit of local life: strolling the grounds, then sitting down in a room designed for tasting.

You’ll be at a working farm just outside Lucca, and the experience is built around that reality. You are not just sampling products; you are learning the routine behind them—how the farm thinks about its olives and grapes, and how the tasting room ties that work to what ends up on your plate.

I like that the group size stays small. With a max of 12, there is usually room for questions, and you get a more human feel with hosts like Antonella and Barbara, who appear as the guides in different visits. The vibe tends to be warm and welcoming, like someone showing you their home rather than directing a busload.

Getting there: plan your transport to Via di Piaggiori Basso

The meeting point is very specific: Via di Piaggiori Basso, 123, 55012 Capannori LU, Italy. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

That matters because there is no hint here that pickup is guaranteed. In practice, you should have a simple plan for getting from Lucca to the farm and back. One review notes how finding taxis around Lucca can be tricky, and that the team helped with a ride for some people. So if you do not have your own car, it is smart to ask your host about practical options once you book.

Also, keep your expectations aligned with the duration. Because the whole experience is roughly an hour, the farm time is the point—not a long transfer or extra stops. If your schedule is tight, this is a good fit.

The short walk: gardens, courtyard, and an easy start

The visit begins with a short walk together. The goal is not a hike. It is more like a quick orientation: you get to see the property and get a sense of the area before you sit down for tastings.

People mention wandering the gardens and courtyard, which tells you the walking part is about atmosphere. You’re arriving at a place that feels cared for, with outdoor space that sets up the tasting room experience. On some visits, the setting also turns into a chance to notice farm work up close—one review specifically highlights olive harvesting as something that was interesting to watch.

Come dressed for warm or humid conditions too. One review praises the covered patio as a relief on a hot day, which suggests there are sheltered spaces if the weather turns.

The tasting room: sweeping views and a clear sequence

After the short walk, you move into a panoramic room. This is where the tour really earns its keep. The views help, but the bigger value is the pacing and structure of the tasting.

You will taste:

• 1 olive oil
• 5 wines

And it does not feel random. The host explains the history and tradition of local wines and olive oil, plus the phases of production. That is what turns it from a tasting event into an understanding event. You learn enough about the process to make better sense of what you’re tasting—why the olive oil tastes the way it does, and how the wine story connects to what happens in the vineyard.

Small-group tours like this are where explanations make sense. When there are only a handful of people, you can follow the logic, ask for clarification, and actually remember what you learned without a constant bustle around you.

The English offering is also a big deal. Several reviews highlight clear communication in English, so you’re not stuck translating vague words while you taste. If wine and oil education is part of your goal, this tour seems built for that.

Olive oil and wine tasting: what you’re really paying for

Let’s talk value in plain terms. At $43.25 per person, you are not only paying for a flight of drinks. You are paying for:

• a structured tasting (olive oil plus five wines)
• explanations that connect production to flavor
• food pairings that make the tasting worth slowing down for
• a lunch included in the same price

If you’ve done tastings that feel like a sales pitch, you’ll appreciate the farm-to-table angle here. People repeatedly mention that the hosts make guests feel welcome and that the farm approach feels authentic. Names like Antonella and Barbara show up across reviews, both tied to friendly, clear hosting and strong communication.

A practical point: pace yourself. With multiple wines in one sitting, it is easy to overdo it fast. The tour is short, but it is still a true tasting session. If you’re driving yourself back, plan accordingly. If you’re relying on a ride, build in extra time so everyone can move safely.

Lunch included: bread, cheese, and typical local dishes

This is one of the most “worth it” parts. Lunch is included, made from typical local dishes and produce. In practice, the tasting is paired with food like bread and cheese, and you may also see items such as savory plates and bruchetta described as part of the meal.

Food pairings matter more than people think. Olive oil and wine are easier to understand when you taste them alongside bread, cheese, and simple local plates. The food adds context: salt, fat, and texture all change what you notice in the glass.

And the setting helps. Reviews mention an updated, clean, comfortable tasting room and the covered patio as a smart place to stay relaxed even if it’s muggy outside. For a summer afternoon in Tuscany, that comfort is not a small detail.

Who the hosts are and how the explanation lands

The hosts are part of the product. Multiple reviews highlight gracious hospitality and a genuine willingness to answer questions. That lines up with the format: small group, structured tasting, and a production story that gets explained clearly.

Two names stand out from the experiences shared: Antonella and Barbara. If either of them is hosting on your date, you can expect a personable approach, with farm history and production phases tied directly to what you’re tasting.

One review also calls out that the farm is organic, which is a meaningful note if that’s important to you. Even if you care less about labels, organic practices often affect your sense of place: more attention to living systems, healthier soils, and care that shows up indirectly in the character people talk about in the oil and wine.

The one drawback to plan around: it is not a full olive oil deep class

Here’s the honest potential downside based on the way the experience is described. The walk is short, and the tasting includes both olive oil and wine. One review mentions that on that day, the walk did not happen as expected and that the tour became mostly wine-focused.

So if your top goal is a long, step-by-step olive oil production lesson, this might feel too light. The tour does explain phases of production, and you do taste the oil, but it is not positioned as an all-olive-oil-only training session.

It’s also not framed as a long itinerary with multiple stops. You’re here for a compact, high-impact tasting and lunch. If you want more time in the grove or more time on pressing and technical oil processing, you may prefer a different format with a longer dedicated olive oil component.

Price and logistics: how $43.25 stacks up

At $43.25 per person, this tour looks like good value when you break it down. You’re getting:

• olive oil tasting
• five wine tastings
• lunch included
• food pairings like bread and cheese
• a guided farm experience with explanations in English
• a small group setting (max 12)

In many places, you can pay a similar amount for wine tastings alone and still leave hungry. Here, you eat as part of the experience. That alone makes the price easier to justify.

The biggest logistical “cost” is your time and transport planning. Because it starts at Via di Piaggiori Basso and returns there, you want a route you can manage without stress. But once you’re on-site, the rest is structured.

Also, booking seems to happen fairly often—on average, people reserve about 23 days ahead. That’s not a requirement, but it’s a clue that the best slots can fill, especially in warmer months.

Who should book this tour near Lucca

I recommend this tour if you want a short, high-quality farm tasting that includes lunch. It fits well for:

• foodies who like learning while they eat
• people who want both olive oil and wine in one stop
• travelers who prefer small groups rather than big tasting rooms
• anyone staying in Lucca or nearby who wants a countryside break without a full day commitment

It may not fit as well if:

• you want a long walking tour with lots of grove time
• you want a purely olive-oil-focused production workshop
• you dislike wine tastings and would rather stick to olive oil only

Should you book Colle di Bordocheo’s tasting and farm tour?

Yes, if you want a compact Tuscan farm experience that combines tastings, lunch, and a real sense of how olives and grapes become products. The price makes sense because food and multiple tastings are included, and the small group size keeps the experience personal.

Book it especially if you care about understanding what you’re tasting. The sequence—short walk, then panoramic room, then structured tasting with production explanations—helps the flavors click, rather than just blending together.

Skip or look for another option if your main goal is a longer olive oil deep class. This one is balanced on purpose: olive oil plus wine, with education in the mix, and a lunch that turns it into a satisfying meal rather than a snack session.

FAQ

How long is the wine and olive oil tasting & farm tour?

It lasts about 1 hour (approx.).

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $43.25 per person.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

It is offered in English.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste 1 olive oil and 5 wines, with food pairings. A lunch of typical local dishes and produce is also included.

Where do I meet, and does the tour end there too?

The meeting point is Via di Piaggiori Basso, 123, 55012 Capannori LU, Italy, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Cancellation is free if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for people with service animals?

Service animals are allowed, and most travelers can participate.