Hi friends - does anyone have a recommendation or 2 for a vineyard tour/wine tasting and/or pasta making class somewhere in the Cinque Terre vicinity? We are a group of 5 active women (family girls trip). Staying in Vernassa but can walk/train/uber anywhere. I have seen websites for both of these topics but a personal recommendation from someone who has already taken a class is preferred in addition to my website searches. *As info, for the cooking class, I have found many classes for pesto/gnocchi. We would prefer a class where we can roll out/cut our own pasta, not make gnocchi - if such a class exists - and I just haven't found it yet. Will consider all price ranges. Many thanks!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
9300 posts
Correct spelling is Vernazza
Might help in your search
Posted by
OP
Western USA
6 posts
Oh! Haha, thanks for catching that typo! Yes - I do know how to spell Vernazza but my fingers don't!
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36740 posts
Italian food is so very regional.
What you've found speaks to the regional cuisine of the Ligurian coast - pesto and gnocchi.
I would have been surprised if you found a good pasta class in that region. It is like finding a pasta class in the land of risotto around the Po river.
For pasta you may want to be where the wheat is grown.
That said, I hope you find what you're looking for.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1752 posts
If you are willing to make the long trek to Florence, you can take private or group pasta making class organized by Coral Sisk (aka Curious Appetite)
https://curiousappetitetravel.com/pasta-making-cooking-class-in-florence-italy
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
2040 posts
Along the same lines you could look for a pesto making class - I know there is at least one in Vernazza and think a couple along the CT as a whole. Pesto is very Ligurian and the local specialty you should be looking to make in the area. I can't recommend one personally but I know there have been discussion threads on the topic here before.
Good luck,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
Western USA
6 posts
Thank you, everyone, for your comments and clarity on the regional cuisine! Makes total sense. I will revisit my search history.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
3027 posts
hey hey Kim
yes as others have mentioned the area is known for pesto with places teaching how to make pesto. there are also places for making focaccia.
montespazzavento.com
pasta making class near lucca/pisa in the owners farmhouse and gardens. take an early morning train to either location and a shuttle will pick you up to continue to farm. yes it's a train ride but looks like something you've asked for with different pastas
cucina-italiana.com
paolo monti offers many 1/2 day (4 hour classes) in lucca. he has a fresh pasta and sauces class, you can check the other classes offered. another train ride to lucca
cheo.it
check out the wine tasting offered in vernazza
another thing to do is stop in some of the vernazza bars that offer wine tasting, or ask your hotel/ host/hostess for ideas.
have a great time and enjoy
aloha
Posted by
OP
Western USA
6 posts
Thanks, Princess pupule, for the additional recommendations. I love the idea of going to Lucca/wine tastings at a local bar. You have given me some great resources to research, as well. This will be so fun!
Posted by
new york
1550 posts
There are certainly plenty of pasta shapes in traditional Ligurian recipes..it's not only gnocchi!
Trenette, trofle, pansoti, mandiill di saea, corzetti (coins) are found in many local dishes.....more so than gnocchi, in my limited experience.