A 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.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
Balsamic Vinegar Tour & Tasting: (1-5 guests) Discover one of Emilia-Romagna's most celebrated culinary traditions on a private Modena balsamic vinegar tour and tasting at the Malpighi family's modern acetaia. Meet your host Monica, or Nicole when Monica is away, for a personally guided introduction to how authentic balsamic vinegar of Modena is made. During your private tour, learn why Modena is world-renowned for balsamic vinegar and discover the traditional production process, from locally grown Lambrusco and Trebbiano grapes to the cooking and aging of the grape must in wooden barrels. Visit two barrel rooms and a museum displaying historic vinegar-making tools while learning about the Malpighi family's techniques and traditions. Discover how the blend of grapes, aging process, and sequence of different woods—including cherry, juniper, and oak—help create the distinctive flavors of their balsamic vinegars. After visiting the barrel rooms, enjoy a guided balsamic vinegar tasting featuring vinegars aged from 5 to 25 years. See if you can identify their different ages by taste, and sample Malpighi's white balsamic vinegar and flavored varieties. Your tasting also includes a glass of local Lambrusco wine. At the end of your experience, take home two bottles: one 100 ml bottle of Saporoso balsamic vinegar and one bottle of flavored balsamic vinegar. Please note that the acetaia offers a complimentary vinegar tour directly through its website. The experience offered here is different: it is a private, personally guided 30-minute tour and tasting that includes a glass of Lambrusco and two bottles of Malpighi balsamic vinegar to take home, offered as part of the experience at a discounted rate. The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Notes: This experience takes place at Acetaia Malpighi in San Donnino, approximately a 15-minute drive from Modena's city center. Transportation to and from the acetaia is not included. Monica offers flexible tour times between 9am–6pm. If you prefer a time other than the one listed, simply share your preferred start time when booking.
Languages spoken: English, Italian, French, German
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.- William June 23, 2025
Great place I recommend trying it to believe it excellent pizza welcoming staff everything excellent I will return often to taste excellent dishes- Ivano March 23, 2025
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.- Pippi1015 March 25, 2024
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