Learn Italian Aperitivo in Siena: Five Nibbles & Tuscan Wine

Make five regional bites and taste them with local wine in a home kitchen

A two-hour cooking class in Siena where you prepare five traditional nibbles (bruschetta, grilled vegetables, charcuterie and cheese) paired with Tuscan wines in a local home. Hosted by Cesarine, Italy's network of home cooks, the class teaches you the aperitivo tradition while you cook alongside your host and taste the regional ingredients that define it.

The experience

Two hours in a Siena home, learning to build an aperitivo the way locals do. You'll prepare five nibbles using ingredients the region is known for (olive oil, market vegetables, local charcuterie, cheese), and pair each one with a glass of Tuscan wine, either a sparkling prosecco or a light red. The host is a certified home cook from Cesarine, the network that has connected travelers to Italian cooks in over 500 cities for years, so you're not in a cooking school. You're in someone's kitchen, learning how they do it.

The aperitivo itself is the point: it's the Italian tradition of an early evening drink and bite, and preparing it teaches you how the culture actually works. You taste as you go, understanding which local produce pairs with which wine, and you leave with the skill to recreate it at home. Water and wine are included, along with everything you need to make the five bites.

What’s included

• All five nibbles you prepare.
• a selection of red and white wines from Tuscany.
• water and beverages.
• the tasting session itself.
• use of the kitchen and all equipment needed to cook.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 18:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Public transport nearby

Operated by Cesarine: Cooking Class

Is this one for you?The class runs two hours in the early evening, so it fits naturally into the end of a day exploring Siena rather than requiring a morning or afternoon block. You're cooking alongside your host in their home, not watching a demonstration, so come ready to use your hands and taste as you work.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

What exactly do I prepare during the two hours?

You make five nibbles from the region's typical ingredients: bruschetta with fragrant olive oil, freshly grilled market vegetables, and a selection of local charcuterie and cheeses. Each one is designed to pair with the Tuscan wines your host provides.

Do I need cooking experience to join this class?

No prior experience is required. The host teaches you how to prepare each nibble step by step, and the focus is on learning the aperitivo tradition rather than advanced technique.

What wines will I taste?

Your host offers wines from Tuscany cellars only: either a sparkling prosecco or a light red, chosen to pair with the nibbles you've prepared.

Is this class held in a restaurant or a home?

It's held in your host's own home, not a cooking school or restaurant. You'll experience how Italians actually live and entertain in the early evening, as part of the family for the evening.