Genoese Pesto Lesson with Mortar, Pasta Tasting and Local Wine
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Genoa, Italy
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
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Overview
Sample Menu
Main
Trofie al pesto
Trofie al pesto is a traditional Ligurian pasta dish served with handmade basil pesto for an authentic taste of Genoa.
What's Included
- Brunch
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Private transportation
- Gratuities
- Optional purchase of top-quality local food and wine to support the local economy.
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
RosaLinda_M
First of all, Barbara was completely amazing! She was so welcoming and her shop left me in awe! I love that the items in her shop for sale were from locals. The class was something my husband and I will never forget! I can’t wait to make pesto for my family here in the states!
Reviews
4.9
based on 27 reviews
RosaLinda_M, Apr 2026
First of all, Barbara was completely amazing! She was so welcoming and her shop left me in awe! I love that the items in her shop for sale were from locals. The class was something my husband and I will never forget! I can’t wait to make pesto for my family here in the states!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your beautiful words!
It truly means a lot to us that you felt welcomed and inspired during the experience.
We love sharing our passion for Ligurian products and traditions, and knowing that you’ll recreate pesto back home in the States is the greatest compliment we could receive 😊
We hope every time you make it, it brings you back to Genoa and to this special moment with us.
A big thank you also from Barbara – she’ll be so happy to read your review!
We really hope to welcome you again one day 🍃
Cecily_C, Apr 2026
Personal hands-on class by a friendly and warm host. Takes place in a charming shop that focuses on Ligurian products. Excellent class for all levels. Your work pays off with a delicious lunch made with your pesto and local wine. If you like pesto and have never made it Genovese style (with a mortar and pestle), then this is for you!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re really happy you enjoyed the hands-on experience and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of our small shop.
Our goal is exactly this: to make everyone feel comfortable, learn something authentic, and enjoy simple but genuine Ligurian flavors together.
And yes… tasting your own pesto at the end is always the best part 😄🍝
We hope to see you again in Genoa for another experience!
Todd_N, Apr 2026
This was a fantastic experience with our children, ages 13 and 17. The shop is amazing and we were guided step by step in making a delicious pesto, which we enjoyed over trofi pasta with some wines from the local area. A highly recommended experience while in Genoa.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words!
It was a real pleasure to host your family and share this experience together.
We always love welcoming guests of all ages, and we’re happy that both you and your children enjoyed making pesto and tasting our local wines.
We hope to see you again in Genoa one day!
Warm regards,
Barbara & Massimiliano
Kelly_S, Mar 2026
Barbara, the shoppe owner and instructor, was wonderful! She was very patient and clear in her teachings. She made the class enjoyable and we now know how to make pesto. If you are looking for something unique to do and love pesto, this is a great experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much Kelly for your kind words!
It was a real pleasure to have you with us 😊
Barbara always puts a lot of passion into sharing the authentic way of making pesto, and we’re so happy you enjoyed the experience and can now make it at home!
We hope to see you again in Genoa soon — maybe for another tasting or a new Ligurian experience!
Warm regards,
Massimiliano & Barbara
Tiffany_M, Mar 2026
Barbara and her daughter were so lovely. I am so grateful they did not cancel as I was the only participant. I appreciated the time she spent with me on a very busy day. Working with the mortar and pestle was much harder than I originally thought it would be. The payoff of the aroma and taste was so worth it. I left with a shelf stable jar of pesto as well as what was left of my own handiwork to eat on toast the next day. The wine was wonderful and it was a great way to spend the morning before exploring the city! Thank you Barbara for sharing your memories!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Tiffany,
Thank you so much for your beautiful review! It was truly a pleasure to welcome you, even if you were the only participant that day. For us, every guest deserves a real and personal experience.
We’re so happy you enjoyed making pesto with the traditional mortar and pestle — it’s not always easy, but the aroma and flavor make it worth the effort!
We hope the pesto you took home brought back some wonderful memories of Genoa. Thank you for sharing that special moment with us.
Warm regards,
Barbara & the BioTigullio5Terre family 🌿🍷
Carrie_R, Nov 2025
Wonderful experience!! The owners were wonderful and very accommodating. We got to taste two different white wines and have lunch with fresh pasta and fresh pesto… It does not get any better than that.
Everyone needs this in their life!!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your amazing words! 💚 We’re so happy you loved the wines, the fresh pesto, and the whole Ligurian lunch experience. It was such a pleasure to host you — your enthusiasm truly made our day! Hope to see you again soon in Genoa! 🌿🍷✨
Kara_C, Sep 2025
It was so fun, informative, and we love supporting a woman-owned small business. It’s in a local shop, so we bought pasta and were gifted lifetime sealed pesto to take home. We learned a lot about Genova and where they sourced all the ingredients. They played good music, provided water, explained everything fully, answered all our questions, and was just such a fun vibe✨
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful words! 💚 We’re delighted you enjoyed the fun atmosphere, the local products, and the stories behind our ingredients. It means a lot to us that you support a woman-owned family shop. We’re happy you could take a little piece of Genoa home with you, and we hope to welcome you back again soon! 🌿✨
ARISA_H, Sep 2025
It was an amazing experience!
In the class we learned not only how to cook “Pesto genovese”, but also the history of cuisines in Genova, in Liguria and even in Italy, which make more fun to taste Italian food. To those who like Italian dishes I recommend this cooking class:)
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your nice feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed learning about pesto and Ligurian traditions. We hope you’ll keep a little taste of Genoa with you!
Lisa_M, Sep 2025
This was such an amazing experience! My husband doesn't cook, so I was surprised he signed us up for this class, but- I am so glad he did. It was a very intimate class, the instructor was very knowledgeable and down to earth. I feel like I can teach people back home now how to make pesto from fresh ingredients. But then to indulge in our creation, and eat our fresh pesto with the pasta and paired with wines and bread. Oh my! Amazing! My only tip would be, use less salt than you think you need. My non-cooking husband had a perfect pesto until he added too much salt.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We loved having you in our pesto class — it’s wonderful to know it was fun and memorable for both of you. You’ll always be welcome back in Genoa!
Rachela_P, Aug 2025
It was a wonderful afternoon spent with friendly people enjoying the beauty of Genovese food and wine together. In a tasteful little shop, Barbara sets up a table of equipment and glorious smelling basil bunches for everyone. The history and details of pesto’s development were very informative.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Rachele you make me crying of happiness. Many thanks and hope to see you soon!
Tuya_U, Aug 2025
I learned to make delicious Pesto in a really nice, cozy environment. Very very delicious😋
It was a very clear and well explained lesson in a clean, cozy environment thank you.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
My friends it was great to have you in our lesson. I really appreciate people like you and your curiosity. See you
Lieven_V, Jul 2025
Barbara and Gaia are very friendly and patient teachers. They not only learn how to make the best pesto but also give a lot of information about the region and about its products. The nice decor in their shop in the small streets of Genova makes the experience complete!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear friends we are so happy to read your review. This is a confirmation that we are working in the right direction but this also mean that you will take a good remember of Italy and of ligurian food. See you
From $92.38
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Genoese Pesto Lesson with Mortar, Pasta Tasting and Local Wine
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2 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
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