Cinque Terre: Pesto Class with Focaccia Tasting in Manarola

Overview

Step into the heart of Manarola, one of the most picturesque villages in the Cinque Terre, and discover the art of authentic Genovese pesto making in this hands-on, local experience. Begin your journey in a charming tasting room, then stroll through a private garden filled with lemon trees and fragrant basil plants, where you'll handpick your own fresh basil. Back in the tasting room, you'll be guided through a sensory tasting of Ligurian extra virgin olive oil, learning how to identify its unique aroma and flavor. Your Cesarina will share the origins of pesto alla Genovese, the importance of using local, high-quality ingredients, and how to craft pesto using a traditional marble mortar and pestle — just like Ligurians have done for centuries. You'll then savor your handmade pesto on warm focaccia, perfectly paired with a glass of Cinque Terre white wine as you learn about the region’s native grapes and winemaking traditions.