Enjoy a Private, Owner-Led Balsamic Vinegar Tour and Tasting in Vignola, Modena, Vignola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Meet your host Mariangela at her family home and vinegar acetaia for a vinegar tour, tasting and food pairing. The vinegary is in Vignola, a town 20km from Modena center and 20 km from Bologna. Visiting this charming traditional vinegary in the province of Modena is a truly unique experience: you enter a world full of history, visit lofts and breathe in the delicate perfume of traditional vinegar. Mariangela, the owner herself will welcome you into the tasting room where you will hear about her family’s story of vinegar production. Learn about how traditional balsamic vinegar and saba (a grape juice condiment) are made. Then walk up to the historic loft and get a glimpse into how vinegar is aged. Return to the tasting room for a vinegar and saba tasting as well as a food pairing with signature ingredients of the region – Parmigiana Reggiano cheese, Parma ham and bread, and seasonal fruit. Mariangela will gift you a bottle of the family’s saba and memories that will last a lifetime!
Description & Instructions When Visiting Vignola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Meet your host Mariangela at her family home and vinegar acetaia for a vinegar tour, tasting and food pairing. The vinegary is in Vignola, a town 20km from Modena center and 20 km from Bologna. Visiting this charming traditional vinegary in the province of Modena is a truly unique experience: you enter a world full of history, visit lofts and breathe in the delicate perfume of traditional vinegar. Mariangela, the owner herself will welcome you into the tasting room where you will hear about her family’s story of vinegar production. Learn about how traditional balsamic vinegar and saba (a grape juice condiment) are made. Then walk up to the historic loft and get a glimpse into how vinegar is aged. Return to the tasting room for a vinegar and saba tasting as well as a food pairing with signature ingredients of the region – Parmigiana Reggiano cheese, Parma ham and bread, and seasonal fruit. Mariangela will gift you a bottle of the family’s saba and memories that will last a lifetime!
Mariangela’s family ‘acetaia’ (Italian for home for vinegar that ages vinegar in barrels) was started by Mariangela’s great grandfather Alfonso, and built for their family’s use. Since then, the lofts of the ancient house in Vignola have been full of vinegar barrels made from organic grapes from their vineyards in Savignano sul Panaro. The acetaia as we know it now, called “La Cà dal Non” (house of the grandfather) was started in 1996 by Mariangela and her brother. While studying at university, Mariangela grew interested in the family tradition and decided to sell vinegar to the public in her grandfather’s name. Traditional balsamic vinegar can take 2-25 years to mature and it makes you respect the process and the time it takes to make a great vinegar.
Mariangela loves working with the barrels and is fascinated by the fact that you can work on a product started by someone you have never met. She spent a lot of time in their loft, learning with her father, and her time their now brings back fond memories of her time together with her father, learning their family tradition.
Mariangela is excited to share her culture, family history, and the tradition of vinegar making in Modena with travelers. On days that Mariangela is away, her mother Giovanna, also an expert at vinegar will be your host.
Please note: Mariangela can be flexible with time in the morning so if you would like to start slightly earlier or later feel free to let her know when making your booking. Please also note that this producer does offer a free tour directly on her site. The difference between their free offer and this experience is that it is a private experience with the owner herself and includes a food pairing and a bottle of travel-sized saba vinegar that you can take home.
Duration: 2 hours
Starts: Vignola, Italy
Trip Category: Food, Wine & Nightlife >> Food Tours
