Top Monterosso al Mare Cooking Classes

Your Wine School is nestled above the Ligurian Sea in Monterosso, offering an intimate, educational tasting experience led by one of the town’s oldest families. Sessions begin daily at 12:30 PM and include a warm family welcome, with an introduction to the region’s rugged terroir, traditional winemaking methods, and the history of Cinque Terre wines. Enjoy a curated tasting flight featuring two local Cinque Terre white wines, a delicate Cinque Terre wine, regional red, and the renowned sweet Sciacchetrà, all paired with freshly prepared Ligurian dishes such as focaccia, anchovies, fried cod fritters, polenta fries, and seasonal favourites, made daily using organic or local ingredients. You’ll also receive food-pairing guidance in a relaxed setting, followed by a Q&A wrap-up and time to enjoy sea views or explore Monterosso al Mare. Held on the sea-view terrace, this 2 to 2½-hour experience includes café at the end, ideal for couples, small groups, or special occasions.

You will step into a traditional Ligurian kitchen and begin by discovering the ingredients that form the foundation of authentic Genoese pesto: fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. You will be guided step by step through the preparation process using the traditional marble mortar and pestle. You will learn the proper techniques and work the ingredients until you create your own pesto entirely by hand. Once it is ready, you will move on to the most convivial part of the experience: sitting down at the table to enjoy the freshly made pesto served with a plate of gnocchi, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Throughout the experience, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, share conversations, and enjoy an authentic moment centered around cooking, tradition, and togetherness.