4 Madonne is one of the most accessible Parmigiano Reggiano dairies in the Modena area — a working caseificio in Lesignana that opens daily to visitors who want to watch the cheese being made from start to finish. The warehouse holds around 33,570 wheels aging at any one time, which gives some sense of the scale of production behind Italy’s most exported cheese.
What you see on the tour
The visit covers the full production sequence. Milk arrives early in the morning, and by the time the first tour starts at 8:50am the curdling, cutting, and shaping are underway. You follow the process through the copper vats, the molding room, the brining tanks, and into the aging warehouse — then finish with a tasting of Parmigiano Reggiano at different stages of maturity alongside freshly made ricotta. Tours last approximately one to one and a half hours.
By request, extended tastings can be arranged to include cured meats, wine, mustards, honey, and traditional balsamic vinegar alongside the cheese.
Practical information
- Address: Via Enzo Ferrari 4, Lesignana di Modena
- Tours: daily at 8:50am and 10:20am
- Duration: approximately 1–1.5 hours
- Price: €22 per person (includes guided visit, tasting, and souvenir)
- Booking: required at least one week in advance — call +39 059 849468 or email [email protected]
- Getting there: 3km from the A22 motorway exit at Campogalliano; around 10 minutes from Modena city centre by car. Large car park on site.
Rather not handle the logistics yourself?
Visiting a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy is one of the genuine highlights of a trip to Emilia-Romagna, but getting there independently involves booking a week ahead, driving out from Modena, and navigating back — which is why it often gets skipped. The Foodies’ Delight food tour includes a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy visit as part of a full-day guided experience from Bologna, combined with Parma ham, traditional balsamic vinegar, and fresh pasta. Transport, bookings, and a guide are all included — you show up and eat. If you are still planning what to do while you are in the area, the Modena guide covers the city’s other food producers and attractions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the 4 Madonne dairy tour cost?
€22 per person. This includes the guided visit, a Parmigiano Reggiano tasting at different ages, and a small souvenir. Extended tastings with cured meats, wine, and balsamic vinegar can be arranged on request for an additional cost.
How do I book a tour at 4 Madonne?
Booking must be made at least one week in advance. Contact the dairy directly by phone at +39 059 849468 or by email at [email protected]. Tours run daily at 8:50am and 10:20am.
What is included in the tour?
The standard tour covers the full production process — from milk arrival through to the aging warehouse — followed by a tasting of Parmigiano Reggiano at different stages of maturity and freshly made ricotta. Duration is approximately one to one and a half hours.
How do I get to 4 Madonne from Modena?
The dairy is in Lesignana, around 10 minutes from Modena city centre by car. Take the A22 motorway and exit at Campogalliano — the dairy is 3km from the exit. There is a large car park on site. If you would prefer not to drive, the Foodies’ Delight food tour includes transport from Bologna.
Is a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy visit worth it?
Yes, if you have an interest in how food is actually made. The morning production window — roughly 8am to midday — is when everything happens, which is why the tours are scheduled early. Watching a 40kg wheel being formed from 550 litres of milk is genuinely difficult to forget.
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