Discover Venice Through Wine, Stories & the Bridge of Fists
Just outside the window, a stone bridge stands where Venetian factions once clashed in bare-knuckle battles — neighbourhood against neighbourhood, fist against fist, pride against pride. The Bridge of Fists. Ponte dei Pugni.
Today the canal is quiet. The bridge is just a bridge. And inside Osteria ai Pugni, Federico pours you a glass of Prosecco and begins to talk.
This is not a wine tour. This is an hour inside real Venice.
Federico Ferrara
Federico Ferrara is a Venetian chef, sommelier, and ONAV-certified taster with over 15 years in food and wine. He didn’t learn wine in a classroom — he learned it on the streets of Venice, working alongside some of Italy’s most important producers. He later trained at the École Culinaire by Alain Ducasse in Paris before returning to his roots, to this very osteria where he first worked as a chef. His grandfather Marziale was one of Italy’s first sommeliers. When Federico tells you the story of a glass, he’s telling you his own.
An intimate hour in one of Venice’s most authentic bacari. No scripts, no tourist groups, no rush.
What’s included
- Three Veneto wines: Prosecco, Soave, Valpolicella
- Three artisanal cicchetti, paired to each wine
- Local storytelling and cultural insights from your host
- Private group: 2 to 6 guests only
- Duration: approximately 1 hour
- Languages: English and Italian
- Price: €60 per person
Osteria ai Pugni
Fondamenta Gherardini 2836, Dorsoduro, Venice.
A historic bacaro steps away from Campo San Barnaba, far from the cruise ship crowds. The bar takes its name from the bridge visible right outside the window. For centuries, rival Venetian factions — the Castellani in red, the Nicolotti in black — clashed here in bare-knuckle battles. The last fight ended in 1705. Today the only thing thrown around is conversation. The marble footprints where the fighters once stood are still visible on the bridge — Federico will show you.
Private tasting for 2 to 6 people. Includes 3 wines and 3 cicchetti.
Reviews
“We felt like we’d been let in on a secret. Federico doesn’t give you a tour — he gives you Venice as it actually is. The wines were excellent, the cicchetti were incredible, and the stories stayed with us long after we left.”
— James & Caroline, London
“I’ve been to Venice three times. This was the first time it felt real. An hour at Osteria ai Pugni with Federico is worth more than a week of sightseeing.”
— Margaret, Boston
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Standard Wine Tasting Private tasting for 2 to 6 guests. 3 wines, 3 cicchetti, 1 hour. €60 per person. → Book via Calendly
Custom Experience / Private Events Looking for something different? A private dinner, a special occasion, or a tailored experience? → Contact us: book@cucinaserenissima.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a private experience?
Yes — limited to 2 to 6 guests only. No shared groups, no strangers.
Are cicchetti included?
Yes — three artisanal small plates, each paired to a wine.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Please let us know in advance and Federico will prepare alternatives.
Where does the experience take place?
Osteria ai Pugni, Fondamenta Gherardini 2836, Dorsoduro. Steps from Campo San Barnaba and the Ponte dei Pugni.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes — availability is limited.
What is the minimum drinking age?
Participants must be 18 or older.