Balsamic Vinegar Tour in Vignola: Private Tasting with Mariangela

Two hours inside a working vinegar acetaia, tasting straight from the barrel

A private balsamic vinegar tour at Mariangela's family acetaia in Vignola, led by the owner herself or a family member, includes a walk through the aging lofts, a spoon tasting of vinegar and saba, and a food pairing with Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma ham and seasonal fruit. The tour runs about two hours and is offered in French or German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Balsamic vinegar tour and tasting

• Meet host Mariangela at family home
• Enter traditional vinegar acetaia in Vignola
• Listen to family story in tasting room
• Learn about balsamic vinegar and saba production
• Climb spiral staircase to historic loft
• See vinegar aging in wooden barrels
• Return to tasting room or farmer’s table
• Taste vinegar, saba, and regional food pairing
• Receive a bottle of family saba as gift

The experience

You meet Mariangela at her family home and acetaia in Vignola, a town 20km from both Modena and Bologna. She walks you through her courtyard and into the tasting room, where she tells the story of how her family has made balsamic vinegar and saba: a grape juice condiment used since Roman times. Then you climb a spiral staircase to the historic loft where the aging happens: wooden barrels of different sizes hold vinegar that has been sitting for years, and the air itself smells like the slow work of time.

Back in the tasting room or at a farmer's table (weather permitting), you taste vinegar and saba by the spoon, the traditional way, and eat them alongside Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Parma ham, bread and seasonal fruit. Mariangela brings out a travel-sized bottle of the family's saba as a gift. The whole experience lasts about two hours. If Mariangela is away, her mother Giovanna, also an expert in vinegar production, leads the tour instead.

What’s included

• Private owner-led tour of the acetaia and aging lofts.
• vinegar and saba spoon tasting.
• food pairing with Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma ham, bread and seasonal fruit.
• travel-sized bottle of family saba as a gift.
• gratuities included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideFrench and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meet Mariangela at her family home and acetaia called "La Cà dal Non Acetaia" in the town of Vignola, Modena. Exact address and directions can be found in your ticket upon booking confirmation.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Traveling Spoon

Is this one for you?You're booking a private experience, so Mariangela or her mother leads only your group through the acetaia and tells the family's story directly, not a shared tour where you follow a guide with other visitors. This suits anyone who wants to ask questions freely and taste at their own pace, or who prefers a more personal introduction to how traditional balsamic vinegar is actually made.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What exactly is saba, and how is it different from balsamic vinegar?

Saba is a grape juice condiment that has been made since ancient Roman times. Mariangela's family also produces a balsam saba as a cooking condiment using a family recipe. Both are aged in wooden barrels like the vinegar, but saba is sweeter and used differently in the kitchen. You'll taste both during the tasting.

How long does the tour take, and what time can I arrive?

The tour and tasting last about two hours. Mariangela can be flexible with morning start times, so you can ask to begin slightly earlier or later when you book.

Is this tour private, or will I be with other visitors?

This is a private, personalized experience led by Mariangela or a family member. You won't be grouped with strangers.

What's included in the food pairing?

The pairing includes Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Parma ham, bread and seasonal fruit, all tasted alongside the vinegar and saba. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, let Mariangela know when you book.

Is there a difference between this tour and the free tour Mariangela offers on her own website?

Mariangela does offer a free tour directly from her acetaia, but this private experience includes expert guidance from Mariangela herself and a full food pairing with regional ingredients, making it a more complete tasting.