This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
Vinegar and saba spoon tastingFood pairing: Parmigiana Reggiano cheese, Parma ham and bread, and seasonal fruitMariangela lives in a beautiful home, also the home of the acetaia that her father grew up in that has been in their family for centuries. The 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.
"This tour was one of the best things we did on our trip to Italy. It is a stunning old farmhouse compound that the city grew up against. And Nonna was so personal and enriching, with the process for TRADITIONAL balsamic vinegar very educational.
I would most highly recommend scheduling this tour if your interests at all lie in this direction."
"Lovely family run business. The tour was educational and tasty. Great history behind the business and interesting to see the barrels of balsamic in the loft. Vinegar tasting included 6 samples, all lovely. Balsamic sold were of a range of prices from €10 to €80 so you can take something home at any budget. Italian owner had very good English and was lovely. "
"This was more than a tour, but more like a visit with a long lost relative. Mariangela and her mother (the matriarch of the family) were wonderful hosts. Walked us through their operation which was part of their century old, renovated home and did a great job of explaining and showing us the process of making Traditional Modena Balsamic Vinegar.. The tasting was eye-opening as was the traditional snacks at the end of the visit. We left with some bottles of their product and an appreciation for the generations of dedicated work to their family business."
"Nous avons passé une superbe matinée en compagnie de Giovanna pour découvrir l'histoire de la vinaigrerie et de la famille.Dégustation excellente et recherchée. Nous recommandons pour tout passage dans la région."
"My husband and 2 teenagers went for the balsamic vinegar tour. Don’t let the neighbor hood throw you off. Once you’re inside the walls it’s very different. They house used to be alone in the countryside but now it’s a residential area. Very personal and informative tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable on the making of traditional balsamic vinegar but the family history of the business is also very interesting. We were able to taste different types of vinegar. Then visit the aceteria where they keep the aged barrels. We then were offered a nice snack which pairs well with different types of vinegars. And my 2 teens kept interest the whole time. I recommend this tour if you want a more relaxing and informative kind of tour"
"The heading is not my own words but a very apt description by a fellow contributor. First of all, if you are travelling independently, trust your GPS. The property sits behind high walls and a sturdy gate on a housing estate! But enter in a you will find a different world - the locality as it used to be.We spent a great couple of hours learning about the TRUE, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, as well as the family history, which was fascinating. We left feeling as if we had made new friends.This visit represented great value and we would certainly recommend it."
