Hotels near Cinque Terre Wine and Pesto Tasting (Sciacchetrà)

Two products carry the region's DOC and PDO protections: Cinque Terre white wine (a blend of Bosco, Albarola, and Vermentino grapes) and Sciacchetrà, an amber-coloured sweet passito wine made from the same grapes dried on wooden racks for at least a month before pressing. Sciacchetrà takes roughly 10 kilos of grapes to make one litre, which is why a 375 ml bottle retails for 30 to 50 EUR in 2026. Pair either with the region's other cultural export: pesto alla genovese, made with local basil, Parmigiano Reggiano, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and Ligurian olive oil. Book a tasting at the Cooperativa Agricoltura di Cinque Terre in Groppo (a hamlet above Manarola), where 25 to 35 EUR per person gets you four wines, a pesto sampling, and local focaccia. Reserve at least 48 hours ahead in high season.

Pro Tip: Buy a small bottle of Sciacchetrà to take home rather than a full-size bottle - it is expensive because it is genuinely difficult to produce.