Hands-On Ligurian Pesto Class in Manarola with Wine
Grind basil, garlic, and pine nuts into an emerald sauce with a mortar & pestle, the traditional way
What You Get With This Tour
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Taste pesto where it was born
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Expert English-speaking chef
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Authentic mortar-and-pestle class
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Hand-picked Ligurian ingredients
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Handmade focaccia & pesto tasting
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Local Cinque Terre white wine
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Small group experience
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Guide tips
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Transport to Manarola
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at A piè de Campu in Manarola
Step into a tucked-away cooking space in the heart of Manarola, one of Cinque Terre's cliff-side villages. Your chef welcomes you with an apron and shares how pesto was born in this narrow coastal region. -
2
Crush fresh basil in the traditional mortar
Now it's your turn. Add hand-picked basil leaves to a wooden mortar passed down through generations of Ligurian cooks. Work the pestle in a steady circular motion so the leaves release their oils without turning bitter. -
3
Blend in pine nuts, garlic, and Ligurian olive oil
Layer by layer, add pine nuts, garlic cloves, coarse salt, and a stream of local extra-virgin olive oil. Finish with grated Parmigiano and Pecorino, then keep grinding until the sauce turns vivid, glossy green. -
4
Savor your pesto with focaccia and Cinque Terre wine
Spoon your creation over slices of the chef's handmade focaccia and pour a glass of crisp Cinque Terre white wine. Take your time to taste the difference a mortar makes, and swap notes with the small group. -
5
Your tour ends at A piè de Campu in Manarola
After around an hour together, you'll wrap up at the same spot where you started. Head down to the harbor for a swim, catch the train to the next Cinque Terre village, or linger over the flavors of Liguria.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Accessibility: This experience is wheelchair accessible and takes place indoors, so it runs rain or shine. Please contact us with any mobility concerns so we can do our best to accommodate you.
Dietary Restrictions: Please contact us in advance with any special dietary restrictions or allergies, so we can do our best to accommodate you. This experience is not recommended for guests with tree nut allergies, as traditional pesto contains pine nuts.
Alcohol Consumption: This experience includes local wine; participants consuming alcohol should be of legal drinking age in Italy (18). Please bring a government-issued ID if you plan to partake.
Age Restriction: The minimum age for this class is 11 years old. Guests under the legal drinking age will not be offered the included wine.
Availability: This experience runs daily except Mondays, from April through September.
Getting There: The meeting point is A piè de Campu in Manarola. Reaching Manarola by train is recommended, as parking in the village is very limited.
Dress Code: Wear comfortable clothing suitable for a hands-on cooking activity.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can start on time.
Your experience includes:
Expert English-speaking chef instructor
Hands-on pesto-making class using a traditional mortar and pestle
Tasting of your freshly made pesto with handmade focaccia
Glass of local Cinque Terre white wine
Historical storytelling about Ligurian pesto traditions
Small group experience
What to bring:
Comfortable clothes
Valid government-issued ID
Camera
Appetite for authentic Ligurian flavors
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this experience is family friendly and welcomes kids ages 11 and up. Guests under the legal drinking age of 18 will not be offered the included wine, but the hands-on pesto making and focaccia tasting are perfect for younger participants.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This experience is wheelchair accessible and takes place indoors. If you have specific mobility needs, please contact us in advance so we can see if we can accomodate you.
Are there dietary restrictions to consider?
Please contact us in advance with any allergies or dietary needs so the chef can do their best to accommodate you. This experience is not recommended for guests with tree nut allergies, as traditional Ligurian pesto contains pine nuts.
Does this tour run in the rain?
Yes, this experience takes place indoors, so it runs rain or shine. Just dress for the walk to the venue from Manarola's train station, which is short but uphill and outdoors.
How do I get to Manarola?
Arriving by train is highly recommended, as parking in the village is very limited. Manarola is easy to reach on the Cinque Terre train line from La Spezia or Levanto, and the venue is a short uphill walk from the station.
When does this experience run?
This class runs daily except Mondays, from April through September. Check availability for exact start times when booking.
