Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Experience

Argentine empanadas and wine make a fine introduction to Buenos Aires, and this two-hour class lets you handle both. You’ll follow a traditional recipe, shape the pastries yourself, then compare Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc with a guide explaining Argentina’s grapes and winemaking.

I like the hands-on format and the small groups, which make it easy to ask questions and chat over the meal. I also like the practical setting in Palermo: you get a local food lesson, wine tasting, and a few city tips in one compact activity. The main caution is the filling. One participant found it far too onion-heavy, so this may not suit anyone who dislikes onions.

Key points at a glance

• Hands-on empanada making: You prepare the dough and filling rather than simply eating a finished meal.
• Three Argentine wine varieties: The tasting covers Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
• Small-group atmosphere: Groups can be intimate, with one session hosting about seven people and another consisting of one couple.
• Useful city advice: Guides including Catalina, Valentin, Lourdes, Fernando, and Tomás have offered recommendations for food and places around Buenos Aires.
• Convenient Palermo location: The class meets at Gorriti 4882, with the activity information also listing Gorriti 4886, so check the final booking details carefully.
• Adults only: This is designed for people aged 18 and over, and the $49 price includes ingredients, instruction, and wine tasting.

Why empanadas are a smart way to meet Argentina

You can eat an empanada almost anywhere in Argentina, but making one gives you a better sense of the food than simply ordering one from a counter. The class shows you how a common everyday dish comes together, from filling and folding to cooking and eating.

That matters because empanadas are flexible food. You can have them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack, and they work as either a starter or a main dish. The lesson is not built around a rare or difficult recipe. It gives you something you can try again at home.

You will prepare the empanadas in a guided setting, with ingredients supplied. The class is intended to be practical, so expect to work with the recipe rather than watch a demonstration from a distance. Your finished pastries may not look perfect. That is part of the fun, and one participant noted that imperfect-looking empanadas still tasted delicious.

The food also gives your guide a natural way to talk about Argentine culture. Guides have explained the background of empanadas along with local food customs, rather than treating the dish as a simple cooking exercise. For a first visit to Buenos Aires, that cultural context adds real value.

What happens during the two-hour class

The published duration is two hours, though one account describes a session lasting about two and a half hours. Plan for the official two-hour schedule, but avoid booking a tight connection immediately afterward.

The class begins at the meeting point in Palermo. You should arrive five minutes early. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Gorriti 4882. The information also gives Gorriti 4886 as the meeting point, which is a small but important detail. Confirm the exact number before setting out.

Once inside, the guide introduces the cooking process and the ingredients. You then work through the recipe step by step. This format suits beginners because you can ask for help as you go, and the guide can correct your folding or preparation before the empanadas are cooked.

The pace is helped by the wine tasting. Instead of leaving the wine until the end, the session connects tasting and cooking in a structured way. That keeps the two-hour format active and gives the group time to talk.

After the empanadas are prepared, you eat what you made. The result is more memorable than a standard restaurant meal because you have a hand in it. You also leave with a better idea of what to look for when you order empanadas elsewhere in Buenos Aires.

Tasting Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc

The wine portion covers three major Argentine varieties: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. You learn about the grapes, the methods used to make the wines in Argentina, and the flavors that separate one variety from another.

This is not presented as a formal wine qualification course. It is a guided tasting for a small group, aimed at helping you understand what is in your glass. That makes it a good fit if you enjoy wine but do not know much about it.

Malbec is often the variety visitors expect to encounter in Argentina, but tasting it alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc gives you useful comparison. You are not simply told that one wine is different from another. The guide discusses the character of each grape and how production methods affect the final flavor.

The wine knowledge varies slightly by guide, but the strongest sessions have included clear explanations of both wine and food. Valentin has been praised for explaining the wines while also giving background on Argentina. Lourdes has connected wine, food, and culture in her teaching, while Tomás has added recommendations for wine and lunch around the city.

The tasting is also social. One seven-person group found that the size made conversation easy, while a couple who were the only participants received a more personal session. You cannot count on having a private class, but a small group gives you a better chance to speak with the guide and other people at the table.

The guides shape the feel of the class

The named guides associated with the experience include Catalina, Valentin, Lourdes, Fernando, and Tomás. Their styles differ, but the strongest common feature is the amount of personal attention.

Catalina has led relaxed sessions that combine wine education with empanada making. Valentin has explained the recipe carefully and offered background on the country to first-time visitors. Lourdes has added historical information about food, wine, and culture, with help for city planning beyond the class.

Fernando has been described as a strong teacher and host. Tomás has brought enthusiasm to discussions about Argentine cooking and wine, including chimichurri that one participant considered the best they tasted in Argentina. That is a subjective judgment, of course, but it points to one useful advantage of a local guide: you may pick up small food tips that are hard to get from a standard restaurant meal.

The experience is available in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. If you need a specific language, select it during booking or confirm it before arrival. The available guide may depend on the date.

The onion question and what to expect on the plate

The main food criticism is specific and worth taking seriously. One participant felt the filling contained so many onions that the empanadas tasted mainly of onion, and pointed out that empanadas across Buenos Aires are not all prepared that way.

That does not mean every session will have the same balance, but it is a useful warning if you are sensitive to onions. Ask the guide about the filling at the start. The available information does not promise alternative fillings or dietary adjustments, so do not assume substitutions are available.

For most people, the appeal is that you eat the empanadas you help prepare. The class is not trying to deliver a restaurant tasting menu. It is a friendly cooking lesson with wine, and the food is part of the learning process.

The class also includes ingredients, so you do not need to shop before arriving. The finished product may have a homemade look rather than a bakery-perfect shape. You should judge the activity by the instruction, social setting, and flavor, not by whether every pastry has an identical fold.

Is $49 a fair price?

At $49 per person, the cost is reasonable if you want more than a plate of empanadas. The price includes the cooking class, ingredients, a professional guide, and the wine tasting. It does not include transport to or from the venue.

You are paying for a compact food-and-drink activity in Palermo, not just the ingredients. The value is strongest when you use the guide for questions about Argentine food, wine, and the city. Several guides have also offered restaurant and lunch suggestions, which can help you make better choices during the rest of your stay.

The price may feel high if your only goal is to eat empanadas. Buenos Aires has plenty of inexpensive places to buy them, and this class does not replace a full dinner or a large wine tour. It makes more sense for someone who wants a social activity, basic cooking skills, and guided tasting in one sitting.

One person considered it expensive despite enjoying the experience. That is a fair concern. I would book it when you value the teaching and conversation, not when you are seeking the cheapest meal in Palermo.

Who should book this Palermo activity?

This class suits adults who enjoy food, wine, and a little participation. You do not need advanced cooking ability. The recipe is described as easy to make, and the guided format gives beginners a clear path through the process.

It is especially useful for:

• First-time visitors who want an introduction to Argentine food and wine
• Couples looking for a relaxed shared activity
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting a small group
• People with a free afternoon before an evening flight
• Anyone who wants restaurant and city suggestions from a local guide
• Wine drinkers who want to compare Argentine varieties without committing to a full vineyard excursion

The class is not suitable for children under 18. It may also disappoint you if you want a formal chef-led course, a large meal, or a detailed tour of several neighborhoods. The focus stays on empanadas, wine, and conversation.

One useful scheduling idea is to place it near the end of your Buenos Aires visit, when you can use the guide’s food recommendations right away. Another is to use it during a spare afternoon. One participant booked it while waiting for an evening flight and found it a good way to use the time.

Practical details before you go

The meeting point is in Palermo at Gorriti 4882, while the additional information gives Gorriti 4886. Check the current confirmation carefully so you do not lose time at the wrong doorway.

Arrive five minutes before the start. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so transportation is your responsibility. The activity runs in rain or sunshine, which makes it a dependable option when outdoor plans fail.

The booking terms are flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Since wine is included, this is an adults-only activity. The information does not describe nonalcoholic alternatives, so ask before booking if that matters to you.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a friendly, compact introduction to Argentine food and wine, with enough hands-on work to make the meal feel personal. The small groups, multilingual guides, and mix of cooking with tasting give it more substance than a simple snack stop.

I would be cautious if you dislike onions, need a special diet, or want a polished culinary school lesson. The $49 price is fair for the combined instruction and tasting, but less attractive if you only want inexpensive empanadas.

For most adults spending a few days in Buenos Aires, this is a sensible Palermo activity. Confirm the Gorriti street number, leave a little time after the scheduled finish, and go ready to fold imperfect pastries and ask plenty of questions.

FAQ

How long does the empanada and wine class last?

The listed duration is two hours. One account describes a session lasting about two and a half hours, so avoid scheduling an important connection immediately afterward.

Where does the activity meet?

The main meeting point is Gorriti 4882 in Palermo. The additional information also lists Gorriti 4886, so confirm the exact address in your booking details.

What is included in the price?

The $49 price includes the empanada cooking class, ingredients, a professional guide, and the wine tasting.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.

Which wines are tasted?

The tasting includes Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

Which languages are available?

The activity is offered in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

Are children allowed to attend?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under 18.

Does the class operate in bad weather?

Yes. The activity takes place whether it rains or the weather is clear.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.