Acetaia Giusti

The basics

Acetaia Giusti is a highlight of many Modena food tours, and a stop here is often part of a gourmet itinerary that combines visits to traditional Parmigiano Reggiano cheese producers, makers of Prosciutto di Parma ham, and Lambrusco wine cellars. You can also visit Acetaia Giusti on your own, perhaps before or after a Modena city tour or a trip to the local Ferrari and Lamborghini car museums. The estate offers free 1-hour guided tours of the cellars and museum.

Things to know before you go

• Acetaia Giusti is located about 15 minutes from Modena’s old town.
• Guided tours take about an hour, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing in and around Modena.
• Tours are free but must be booked in advance. The tour itinerary includes the aging cellar, vinegar museum, and final tasting..
• Visitors can purchase balsamic vinegar and other products at the estate shop.
• The cellar and museum are partially accessible to wheelchairs, but the upper floor of the museum can only be reached via stairs.

How to get there

There is no public transport between Acetaia Giusti and Modena’s city center, so take a taxi or rental car to visit—free parking is available. Alternatively, join a food tour that stops at Acetaia Giusti, along with other local artisan food producers, and includes transportation from Modena.

When to get there

Acetaia Giusti is open all year long and is a great option to break up a rainy day, as the tour is largely indoors. Tours are offered hourly from 9:30am to 4:30pm—reserve your spot in advance as they book up quickly.

What you need to know about balsamic vinegar

You may be familiar with the balsamic vinegar condiment sold in food shops across the globe, but this sweet commercial vinegar is a distant cousin of Modena’s authentic balsamic vinegar. True aceto balsamico di Modena is a thick, pungent syrup that is created over decades of decantation (the process of moving aged vinegar into progressively smaller wooden barrels). One of the most prized—and expensive—condiments in Italy, true balsamic vinegar is not generally used to dress salad or other greens, but instead paired with other top-shelf dishes like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Florentine steak.