Venice tastes better at home. This evening with Liuba and Hugo is a small-group wine and food tasting in their own place, with four pours and Venetian cichetti paired all night.

I love how the wine explanations feel simple and practical, not stuffy. I also like that Hugo’s home-made cichetti go way beyond snacky bites, with classics like sardines in saor, creamed cod, cheeses, and dessert options.

One watch-out: the house is on the third floor with stairs and no lift, so it is not for anyone who struggles with steps. Also, it is not available for minors.

Key things that make this evening work

• 4 wine tastings that run in an easy order, bubble to white to red to sweet
• Home-made cichetti paired to each wine, with bread and savory plates made at the house
• A tiny group size (max 6), so you actually get time to talk
• Liuba’s host style, warm, clear, and focused on what you are tasting
• Hugo’s cooking, plus the way the menu can adapt when dietary needs come up
• Real Venetian conversation, and even practical city tips during the meal

What this is, and why it feels like Venice

This is not a big dining room with a script. You meet at Calle Foscari, 3246, and then spend the evening at Liuba and Hugo’s home, where the night is built around wine pairing and good chat. It runs about 2 hours 30 minutes, starting at 6:00 pm, and you end back at the meeting point.

The best part is the rhythm. You taste one wine, then you eat what goes with it, and you keep rolling through the lineup. That structure turns the evening into something you can actually follow, even if you do not call yourself a wine person.

It also feels very Venetian in a way that is more than décor. You are looking at real local food culture, cichetti style, and learning how people in Venice think about matching drinks to what is on the table.

The wine lineup: Prosecco to sweet, in a logical order

The tasting includes four wines, and they are chosen to give you a clear arc across the meal.

First comes a bubble, Prosecco. If you know Venice already, you know bubbles fit here, but this is not just a celebratory opener. The pairing is designed for seafood flavors, and it sets up the whole evening.

Next is a white wine tasting with Lugana. Lugana is the kind of wine that often shows well with savory bites, and the menu leans into that with a mix of salty and creamy ingredients, plus crunchy texture in the croissant pairing.

Then you move into red wine tasting with Valpolicella. That is a smart switch, because the food changes too, shifting toward meat-centered cichetti and a more grounded plate style.

Finally, the night ends with a sweet wine dessert tasting. This last stop matters, because dessert is not an afterthought. You get the sweet wine and a classic Venetian option, with tiramisu or typical Venetian biscuits as part of the plan.

What you gain from the pacing

Even if wine is not your main interest, this order helps your brain. Your palate wakes up for the bubble, then you reset for white, then you move into red, and you land on sweet at the end. It makes the whole experience feel organized, not like you are sampling random pours.

Hugo’s cichetti: Venetian tapas that actually feel like dinner

Hugo is the food engine of the night. The menu is built from Venetian cichetti paired to each wine, and the big detail is that the plates are home-made, even the bread. That means the food tastes like it was planned, not pulled from a shelf.

Here is what the sample menu looks like.

Prosecco starters with mixed fish cichetti

You start with Prosecco alongside mixed fish cichetti. The plan includes sardines in saor and creamed cod. If you like that sweet and savory bite that saor can bring, you will probably find this pairing does a lot of work for you.

Lugana pairing with savory bites

For the Lugana tasting, you get a savory croissant pairing with mortadella, stracchino, and pistachio grains, plus a pumpkin meatball. It is a mix of familiar Italian flavors and a few local twists, and it works well with a white wine that can handle both creamy and savory notes.

Valpolicella and meat cichetti

When Valpolicella arrives, the plates shift toward meat cichetti. You can expect a burger patty and a selection of cheeses. This part is good if you want the evening to feel more substantial, because it reads like dinner-sized bites rather than tiny appetizers.

Dessert sweet wine finish

Then you close with dessert. You will have sweet wine plus either tiramisu or typical Venetian biscuits. Either way, ending with a sweet wine makes the dessert feel connected to the tasting, not like a separate event.

Liuba’s sommelier role: learning without the lecture vibe

This experience includes a personal sommelier, and Liuba’s role is not just pouring. She sets you up to taste, explains what you are noticing, and keeps the whole thing moving in plain terms.

In practical terms, that helps you get something out of the wine even if you do not know the labels. You learn what to look for, like how a white wine may pair better with creamy savory bites, or how a red wine can handle richer plates.

The other big value is that the explanations can turn into conversation. The evening is not only about food and drink, it is about asking questions and getting real answers, the kind that stick because you are tasting while you learn.

What the evening feels like: small group, big comfort

This is set for a maximum of 6 travelers, and you can feel that from the start. A group that small means you are not squeezed into silence while everyone waits for the next course. It also makes it easier to connect, so the night turns into laughter and actual talk.

That is where the experience really separates from many tastings. You are in someone’s home. The pacing is relaxed, but it never drifts into aimless milling around, because the wine courses give the structure.

And yes, the conversation tends to stay grounded in Venice. You can often pick up practical ideas for your own days, like what to prioritize, when to go, and how to think about neighborhoods. If you like getting local advice that does not come from a brochure, this part will likely land well.

Price and value: why $102.41 can make sense here

The price is $102.41 per person, and on paper that can sound high if you compare it to a standard tasting menu.

But this is not a restaurant buffet of small bites. You are paying for a few things that add up:

• Four wine tastings matched to the meal
• Cichetti that are home-made, including bread
• A personal sommelier for your group size
• A full evening experience in a real home setting, about 2.5 hours

Also, the group size is small. When you split a personal hosting experience across a max of 6, it tends to feel more like being invited than being processed.

If you are trying to get value in Venice, I think this kind of small-group home tasting is often a better deal than a larger, more anonymous activity that costs more but gives less one-on-one time.

Logistics that matter: meeting point, timing, and the walkup reality

You meet at Calle Foscari, 3246, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy, and it starts at 6:00 pm. It ends back at the meeting point.

It is near public transportation, which helps because Venice walking can be a challenge, especially after a full day of sightseeing. Still, plan for the last bit on foot.

The stair situation is real

The house is on the third floor and there is no lift. It is also not recommended for anyone who cannot climb stairs. If you have mobility limits, this one may not be your best match.

If you are fine with stairs, still show up with comfort in mind. Wear shoes that work for Venetian surfaces, and give yourself enough time to reach Calle Foscari before 6:00 pm so you are not rushing.

Who should book this evening

Book this if you want:

• A local-feeling evening that is not just photo spots and museum time
• Wine pairing with structure, four tastings that make sense
• Food that feels like it was made for you, not assembled for a crowd
• A small group experience where conversation matters

It also fits well if you enjoy learning while you eat. You will taste a bubble, then white, then red, then sweet, and you will get help noticing differences instead of just sipping.

It may be less suitable if you:

• need step-free access
• want a casual drop-in tasting with no schedule
• are traveling with minors, since it is not available for minors

Practical tips for making the most of your night

Because this is built around courses, arrive ready to eat and taste. If you have dietary restrictions, it is worth letting them know ahead of time when you book, since there is a track record of menu adjustments when needs come up.

Also, pace yourself. You are tasting four wines, and you will be eating along the way. If you drink wine slowly and pay attention to pairings, you will get more enjoyment out of each pour.

And do not treat it like a race to the finish. The best part is the back-and-forth, so leave space to ask questions and talk.

Should you book Liuba and Hugo’s Venetian home tasting?

If you want Venice in the form of wine, food, and conversation in a real home, I think this is a strong yes. The combination of four wine tastings, Hugo’s home-made cichetti, and Liuba’s hands-on sommelier style makes the evening feel both fun and meaningful.

The main reason to skip is the stairs. If the third-floor walkup is a problem for you, do not gamble on it. If stairs are manageable, this is exactly the kind of small-group night that turns a trip into a story you remember.

FAQ

How long is the tasting evening?

It lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

What is included in the price?

You get a personal sommelier, tastings of 4 wines, Venetian cichetti, and glasses plus a place setting.

What time and where do we meet?

The start time is 6:00 pm. The meeting point is Calle Foscari, 3246, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is this experience suitable for minors?

No, it is not available for minors.

Do I need to worry about Venice access fees?

On certain dates, visitors staying outside of Venice who plan to visit for the day may need to pay a €5 access fee. Exemptions and applicable days are listed at https://cda.ve.it.