The picturesque hillside town of Volastra in Cinque Terre offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the region’s rich winemaking and culinary traditions. Through the BarCa Wine Tasting and Pesto Class, guests can uncover the secrets behind the area’s renowned vintages and pesto while taking in breathtaking coastal views. This two-hour experience, led by winemaker Andrea, promises to delight the senses and leave you eager to delve deeper into the enchanting charm of Volastra.
Key Points
- Experience a 2-hour wine tasting and pesto-making class at the BarCa Winery in Volastra, Cinque Terre, with expert guidance and stunning coastal views.
- Explore the winery’s vineyards and cellar, and taste three distinct BarCa wines, including a Cinqueterre DOC white, Rosaluna rosé, and Sarsaparilla red.
- Learn to craft authentic Italian pesto using a mortar and pestle, with the freshly made pesto served with warm focaccia.
- Enjoy a 10-minute scenic walk through the vineyards with sea views, culminating in a sunset panorama.
- The experience is priced at €65 per person, with flexible booking options and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Overview and Pricing
The BarCa Wine Tasting and Pesto Class in Cinque Terre offers a unique culinary experience, priced from €65.00 per person.
This 2-hour activity is limited to 6 participants and available in both Italian and English. Guests can explore the winery, sample 3 wines, and learn to make authentic pesto.
The experience includes a scenic 10-minute walk through the vineyards with sea views, concluding with sunset vistas.
Booking is flexible, with the option to reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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Activity Details
The experience takes place at the BarCa Winery, nestled in the picturesque Volastra village of Cinque Terre.
Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard and wine cellar, followed by a tasting of three wines: the BarCa Cinqueterre DOC white, the Rosaluna rosé, and the Sarsaparilla red.
Then, they’ll participate in a hands-on pesto-making workshop, learning the secret recipes for authentic Italian pesto.
Afterward, they’ll take a scenic 10-minute walk through the vineyard rows with breathtaking sea views before concluding the experience with sunset vistas over the Ligurian Sea.
Culinary Experience
Visitors can sample three distinct wines from the BarCa cellar, including the crisp BarCa Cinqueterre DOC white, the refreshing Rosaluna rosé, and the robust Sarsaparilla red.
The wine tasting is complemented by an engaging pesto-making workshop, where participants learn the secrets of crafting authentic Italian pesto.
The culinary experience is further enhanced with:
- Hands-on pesto preparation under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors.
- Savoring freshly made pesto alongside warm focaccia.
- Enjoying the stunning views of the Cinque Terre coastline as the sun sets over the sea.
The combination of exceptional wines, the art of pesto-making, and the breathtaking natural surroundings create a truly memorable culinary adventure.
Customer Reviews
Overwhelmingly positive reviews from past participants attest to the exceptional quality of the BarCa Wine Tasting and Pesto Class experience.
With an impressive 4.8/5 rating based on 31 reviews, the activity has garnered praise from travelers worldwide.
Visitors like Nicole from Norway celebrated the expertise of winemaker Andrea, while Megan from the US highlighted the informative instructors and stunning views.
Gina, another American guest, emphasized the welcoming atmosphere and the delicious pairings of wine and pesto.
More Great Thing To Do NearbyMeeting Point and Accessibility
Host will wait on the road in Volastra to greet participants at the meeting point for the BarCa Wine Tasting and Pesto Class.
The experience isn’t suitable for those with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, as the tour includes a scenic 10-minute walk through the vineyard rows.
Additionally:
- Participants should wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- The winery and surrounding areas may have uneven terrain, steps, and slopes that could pose challenges for those with limited mobility.
- The host can’t accommodate special needs or provide assistance beyond the standard tour.
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What to Bring
For this BarCa Wine Tasting and Pesto Class, participants should bring comfortable shoes for walking. The terrain includes a scenic 10-minute walk through the vineyard rows with sea views. While the experience is not suitable for those with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, comfortable footwear is essential to fully enjoy the picturesque setting. Plus, participants may wish to bring the following items:
Item | Reason |
---|---|
Sunscreen | Protect from sun exposure |
Hat | Provide shade |
Water Bottle | Stay hydrated |
Camera | Capture the stunning scenery |
Vineyard and Wine Cellar Tour
What better way to start the BarCa Wine Tasting and Pesto Class than with a guided tour through the vineyard and wine cellar?
Guests will follow the winemaker, Andrea, as he leads them through the lush, terraced vineyards, sharing insights into the grape-growing process.
The tour then moves to the wine cellar, where Andrea will:
- Explain the unique microclimate and terroir that give BarCa wines their distinctive character.
- Showcase the traditional winemaking methods used to craft the three varieties being sampled.
- Offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of the barrel aging and bottling procedures.
This immersive experience sets the stage for the wine tasting and pesto-making workshop to follow.
Pesto Making Workshop
Following the vineyard and cellar tour, participants dive into the hands-on pesto-making workshop.
Under the guidance of the expert instructors, guests learn the secrets behind crafting authentic Italian pesto. They’ll gather the necessary ingredients – fragrant basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil – and use a traditional mortar and pestle to grind and blend the mixture to perfection.
The instructors share tips and techniques to ensure the pesto achieves the ideal texture and flavor. Guests can then sample their handiwork, enjoying the fresh pesto alongside local focaccia and the wines tasted earlier.
It’s a truly immersive culinary experience that showcases the essence of Ligurian cuisine.
Recap
This BarCa Wine Tasting and Pesto Class in Cinque Terre’s Volastra offers a captivating blend of wine, cuisine, and scenic beauty. Visitors can savor exquisite local wines, learn the art of traditional pesto-making, and enjoy the enchanting coastal views. It’s an unforgettable culinary and cultural experience that perfectly captures the essence of this picturesque Italian region.
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