Buranco Winery — Local services in Monterosso al Mare

We preemptively booked two reservations with Buranco because it had been fantastically reviewed and was situated close to our lodging.

Our first experience was alright, we booked the Ristorante Buranco Wine Experience, which was slightly vague with what it offered. Unfortunately we found out that our 50€ went towards a wine tasting and seat reservation that would not have been occupied had we not been there (in the peak of tourist season in July). The wine accompaniment to our dinner would have only been 20€, which we could have settled the difference with had there been any other benefit than a reservation.

Our second (prebooked) experience was the "Buranco Wine Experience" which advertises "Wine, bruschetta, and a selection of cured meats and cheeses " and a "true wine tour to discover our vineyard and cellar". This was frankly not the case as we proceeded to be sat at a table with just bruschetta and wine. No "assaggio di formaggi e salumi tipici".

If the meats weren't available (despite our reservation 2 months prior), the least I could expect was going to be the tour of the vineyard and cellar. We didn't get that either, but instead were told we could "peek inside" to observe the process, which we were promptly ushered away from by the owners husband being told "it was impossible". 50€ per person to be told we were receiving almost none of what we had paid for prior.

After our first experience we chalked it up to bad luck, but the inconsistency with the second experience truly settled that you simply won't get what you paid for.

The staff was fantastic and accommodated us to the best of their ability, especially when we showed them what the website advertised as opposed to what we were experiencing. Despite this it was obvious they were not allowed to produce the experience we had paid for.

The wines themselves were delicious, especially the syrah blend. The olive oil was great too, and if I cared to support the business I would have purchased both. Landscaping, views, and the ambiance were also fantastic, one of the waiters even sang Ave Maria for the crowd.

Overall, do NOT preemptively make reservations here. The food and wine are worth it if you choose to walk up, but not worth any additional prices from booking experiences with them. This lack of clarity and correction are the reason I've elected to give this establishment 2 stars despite their staff...

The venue is spectacular. The service/meal was not.

I was with a group of 7. We showed up about 30ish minutes before our 7pm reservation. They gave us a table, but didn’t come back to the table until about 7:10ish. I get it, Italy has a different culture from America so I didn’t think too much about it. Though I was thirsty once making it up there and it felt awkward.

Anyway, my aunt and I were very excited to share the crustacean meal at $55 per person. They gave some small tastes of different things while we waited and they were great - it felt very special.

Then our food showed up and it was over cooked. Very overcooked, dry and tough. No one came back to our table and we continued to break open pieces trying to see if it was everything or what was going on. Basically, decided nope, this sucks. So we got up and asked for the chef. He came and told us - without looking/touching it that that is how it is cooked and left. My aunt then went up to continue the conversation and was basically told “fine, just leave, it is free”. Our group still had wine to drink… it was uncomfortable. Plus, we wanted to pay for the wine/drinks and meals that were good.

We waited and the server came back only to grab plates but never said a word. We started calculating up the cost of what we knew we should pay for and as we got up to leave we wanted to tell them what we were doing. At this point, I basically left, but my husband asked the server how we should pay and she directed them to the gate/pay house. This is when the chef shows up and continues to get into an argument with my aunt now saying that we ate too much and needed to pay. They made us pay $55 not the $110 - but still…after being told to leave and then ignored by the server - while trying to do what we thought was the right thing and pay the amount for everything else it left me with a terrible overall experience.

Side note, 2 other people got a pesto pasta and it was so salty that they...

Make your dinner reservation now at this ranch restaurant for your Monterosso visit! As one of our party noted, this is the REAL Italy, and it gave us a memorable immersive dining experience on a family-run ranch and restaurant.

Our party had a memorable dining experience that started with a very Italian cab ride over Cinque Terre's backroads, since one of our party could not make the steep hike up the Monterosso hill. Giovanni, the family chef and chauffeur, met us in the ranch's van for a Disney-esque thrill ride down to the ranch's restaurant from the main road. Our wine aficianado had already been wine tasting at the ranch and was eager for the dining experience, which is set up in a covered loggia made of local stonework contrasting with twinkling chandeliers. Diners can look at the family's vineyards and trees or get a peek into the open-air kitchen, also framed by local stonework. Rustic and fascinating.

This is a family operation, with Nonna & Nonno (grandma & grandpa, who is a local Senator) surveying and participating in all the action from their upper terrace table. Our grilled octopus in a potato/olive puree was unique & delicious. The pasta appetizer was hearty and al dente. The notable entree was the Chianina steak, which is an ancient Italian cattle breed, raised mostly in Tuscany (and the originator of the Florentine steak). Super tender, flavorful and nicely presented on the ubiquitous slate plates. Lastly Nonna's lemon cake slayed the sweet lovers in the party, as did the pistachio ice cream. Our wine lovers fell in love with the winery's spumanti, named Bolla. You will not be disappointed - this is a once-in-a-lifetime...