Parmigiano, Balsamic & Winery Tour from Bologna in 5 Hours

Three producers, three tastings, one morning: dairy, acetaia, winery

A half-day food and wine tour from Bologna that visits an artisanal Parmigiano Reggiano dairy, a centuries-old balsamic vinegar cellar, and a family-run winery, with a country lunch and vineyard walk included. The tour runs 5 hours with pickup at Bologna Central Bus Station, a local expert guide, and return by early afternoon. Minimum age is 12. Closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles are required for the dairy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Food Valley tour with tastings and lunch

• Meet tour leader at Bologna Central Bus Station
• Visit artisanal dairy and taste Parmigiano Reggiano
• Explore ancient Acetaia and taste balsamic condiments
• Walk vineyards and taste wines at family winery
• Enjoy "Pranzo Contadino" lunch with local specialties
• Drive back to Bologna in late morning

The experience

How do you taste the real Emilia-Romagna in a morning without a car? This tour picks you up at Bologna Central Bus Station and moves through three stops that define the region's food identity: each one a working producer, not a museum. You ride in a minivan or mini-coach with up to 25 others, and the guide is a local who knows the people running these places.

The dairy comes first. You watch the Mastro Casaro, the master cheesemaker, at work, seeing how milk becomes Parmigiano Reggiano in real time. Breakfast arrives warm: fresh ricotta, aged cheese, and crispy parmesan chips made from the wheels aging in the room. Then you move to the Acetaia, an ancient cellar where balsamic vinegar sits in wooden barrels stacked ceiling-high, some of them older than the building. A technical spoon tasting walks you through the grades and ages, and there's a singular thing here. A cherry-based balsamic condiment made in a house surrounded by cherry trees, the kind of thing you taste once and remember. The winery is the finale: a walk through the vineyards with a glass of Pignoletto in hand, then a seated lunch called Pranzo Contadino, country lunch, with premium cured meats, artisanal cheeses, seasonal specialties, and glasses of Lambrusco and Barbera. By late morning you're back in Bologna with the afternoon still open.

Closed-toe shoes with non-slip rubber soles are mandatory for the dairy. Some areas are wet. Arrive at the bus station on time. The group will not wait. The tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not accessible for wheelchair users.

What’s included

• Round-trip minivan or mini-coach transport from Bologna Central Bus Station.
• guided tour of an artisanal Parmigiano Reggiano dairy with production visit and regional breakfast tasting.
• access to a centuries-old balsamic vinegar cellar with technical spoon tasting and a unique cherry-based balsamic condiment.
• vineyard walk at a family winery with a glass of Pignoletto.
• Pranzo Contadino country lunch with premium cured meats, artisanal cheeses, seasonal specialties, and local wines including Lambrusco and Barbera.
• local expert guide in English throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by CAF Tour and Travel - Gray Line Florence

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a structured half-day that hits three producers plus lunch in one morning, starting and ending at Bologna Central Bus Station so your afternoon stays free.

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Top questions

What exactly do I see at the Parmigiano Reggiano dairy?

You watch the Mastro Casaro craft Parmigiano Reggiano from milk to wheel, seeing the production process behind the scenes. Breakfast includes warm ricotta, aged cheese, and crispy parmesan chips made from the dairy's own wheels.

How does the balsamic tasting work at the Acetaia?

The Acetaia is a centuries-old cellar where balsamic vinegar ages in wooden barrels. A technical spoon tasting walks you through the different grades and ages, and includes a unique cherry-based balsamic condiment made in a house surrounded by cherry trees.

What's included in the country lunch?

The Pranzo Contadino features premium cured meats, artisanal cheeses, seasonal specialties, and local wines including Lambrusco and Barbera. It's served at the family winery after a walk through the vineyards with a glass of Pignoletto.

How long is this tour and when do I get back to Bologna?

The tour runs 5 hours total. You meet at Bologna Central Bus Station in the morning and return by early afternoon, leaving your day still open for other plans.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the dairy and winery?

No. Round-trip transport from Bologna is included. You travel by minivan or mini-coach with the group. Hotel pickup is not available, so you meet at Bologna Central Bus Station.

What should I wear for this tour?

Closed-toe shoes with non-slip rubber soles are mandatory for the dairy visit, as some areas may be wet or slippery. Arrive at the bus station on time. The group cannot wait for late arrivals.