Meet your host Monica (or Nicole when Monica is away), a guide at the modern Malpighi acetaia (the home for the barrels in which the vinegar ages) for your private Modena balsamic vinegar tour and tasting. You will learn about why the region of Modena is world-renowned for its balsamic vinegar and how it is made. Discover how black Lambrusco grapes and white Trebbiano grapes are mixed, cooked and aged in barrels to make balsamic vinegar. You will visit two barrel rooms and a museum of vintage vinegar utensils. The proportion of black to white grape juice, the order of the wood that the vinegar is transferred in (a combination of cherry, juniper and oak which remains a secret!), and the passion of the family’s vinegar makers is what distinguishes the Malpighi family’s vinegar from others. After your tour of the barrel rooms you will head downstairs to enjoy a tasting of vinegars of various ages, ranging from 5-25 years, and see if you can determine the age of each vinegar based on its taste! You will also taste the Malpighi white balsamic vinegar and flavored vinegars. Leave with one bottle of Saporoso (100 ml) and one bottle of flavored balsamic vinegar.
Please note this acetaia does offer a free vinegar tour on their site. The experience you book here is a private, personally guided tour and includes two bottles of vinegar and a glass of Lambrusco wine, which is included in the price of our tour at a discounted rate. Your private tour and tasting will last about 30 minutes.
This facility is handicap accessible.
Monica is flexible on time and can offer tours anytime between 9am – 6pm. If you prefer an alternate time, please include your timing preference when making your booking.
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.
Tasting of vinegars of various ages, ranging from 5-25 years: Malpighi white balsamic vinegar and flavored vinegarsOne bottle of Saporoso (100 ml) and flavored balsamic vinegarA glass of Lambrusco wineA Modena native, Monica is passionate about showcasing the vinegar produced in the region because her family was very involved in producing vinegar. She has been working for over 18 years at Malpighi, a family owned business that continues the tradition of the family’s ancestors. Vinegar was discovered 2000 years ago in Modena and the Malpighi family is one of the oldest families producing vinegar in Italy. They have been producing balsamic vinegar in Modena for over five generations since 1850 and own 20 hectares of grapes used solely for the production of vinegar. The culture of Modena is deeply rooted in the tradition of balsamic production and Monica is proud to share the family’s heritage with travelers.
"Very informative and interesting with lots of history! Great detail on the process and
differences in the real balsamic vinegar. Would recommend! The passion of the tour guide
with her family history with the vinegar made it even more special."
"Great place I recommend trying it to believe it excellent pizza welcoming staff everything excellent I will return often to taste excellent dishes"
"The madam was going to tour us the brewery and show us how to pair food. ... lectured us the process of making Balsamico. He was very good presentation and everything he Showed us and told us was extremely interesting.
Then he recomended three examples of usage of Balsamico. All of them tasted great. They also have cookbook in English as well as Q code shows us the cooking book. We really appreciate the CEO to be very kind for us and answering all the questions as well as pick up at the station."
