Most visitors come to Maranello for the Ferrari Museum — but the same countryside that produced Enzo Ferrari also produces some of the finest traditional balsamic vinegar in the world. Acetaie (balsamic vinegar producers) have operated in the hills and plains around Modena and Maranello for centuries, and visiting one alongside the Ferrari Museum turns a half-day trip into one of the most distinctive food and culture days you can do in Italy.
Acetaia Clara, Maranello
The acetaia we visit in Maranello is Acetaia Clara, a family-run producer with more than 30 years of history and over 300 casks ageing on the premises. It is one of the few certified producers of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP in the Maranello area — meaning the vinegar is made exclusively from local grape must, aged in a battery of progressively smaller barrels made from different woods, and inspected by the Consortium before it can be sold under the DOP designation.
Beyond certification, what makes Acetaia Clara particularly worth visiting is the combination of genuine artisan production, knowledgeable hosts, and a tasting programme that covers the full range of the product — from young condiment to 25-year aged reserve. Prices are competitive compared to city-centre shops, making it a good place to buy directly if you want to take home a bottle of the real thing.
What the Visit Includes
The guided visit lasts approximately one hour and is conducted in the language of your choice. It covers the production process from grape harvest to bottling, with a walk through the barrel rooms where the ageing batteries are stored. The tasting programme includes:
- Saba — cooked grape must, the raw material before ageing begins, served with fresh ricotta
- 15-year aged balsamic — the younger DOP grade, bright and versatile
- 25-year aged balsamic (Extravecchio) — the senior grade, dense and complex, served with aged Parmigiano Reggiano
- Reserve vinegar aged in juniper casks — a rarity; juniper imparts a distinctive resinous note not found in standard batteries
- Balsamic and dark chocolate — a classic Modenese pairing that demonstrates the vinegar’s range
- Nocino — a walnut liqueur made in Modena, served at the end as a digestivo
How to Combine with the Ferrari Museum
Maranello is small and both the Ferrari Museum and Acetaia Clara are within a short drive of each other. A practical full-day itinerary from Bologna or Modena:
- Morning: Travel from Bologna to Maranello (45 minutes by train to Modena + shuttle, or 45 minutes by car)
- Late morning: Ferrari Museum visit — allow 2–3 hours
- Lunch: Ristorante Cavallino or a local trattoria in Maranello
- Afternoon: Acetaia Clara visit and tasting — 1 hour
- Evening: Return to Bologna or Modena
If you are also visiting the balsamic vinegar shops in Modena city centre, the acetaia visit gives you the production context that makes the tasting and shopping experience far more meaningful.
Book the Maranello Balsamic Visit
We organise private and small-group visits to Acetaia Clara in Maranello, including transport from Bologna or Modena and the option to combine with the Ferrari Museum or other Motor Valley stops.
Enquire About the Acetaia Visit →Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a balsamic vinegar producer near the Ferrari Museum in Maranello?
Yes — Acetaia Clara is a family-run DOP balsamic vinegar producer located a short drive from the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. It is one of the few certified traditional balsamic producers in the Maranello area, with over 30 years of history and more than 300 ageing casks on site. We arrange visits as a standalone experience or combined with the Ferrari Museum.
What is Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP?
Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP is aged for a minimum of 12 years (or 25 years for the “Extravecchio” grade) in a battery of progressively smaller wooden barrels made from different woods — typically oak, chestnut, cherry, mulberry, and juniper. It is produced exclusively from cooked local grape must and sold only in a distinctive 100ml bottle with a Consortium seal. It is a fundamentally different product from the commercial balsamic sold in supermarkets.
What do you taste at an acetaia visit in Maranello?
At Acetaia Clara the tasting covers Saba (cooked grape must with ricotta), a 15-year aged balsamic, a 25-year Extravecchio (with Parmigiano Reggiano), a reserve vinegar aged in juniper casks, balsamic paired with dark chocolate, and Nocino walnut liqueur. All food pairings are included. The visit lasts approximately one hour.
Can I buy balsamic vinegar directly at the acetaia?
Yes — Acetaia Clara sells directly at the producer, with prices that are competitive compared to city-centre shops. Buying direct also means you can taste before you buy and get advice from the producer on which grade suits your needs. The 25-year Extravecchio and the juniper reserve are both worth considering if you want something beyond the standard shop range.
How long does the acetaia visit take?
The guided visit at Acetaia Clara lasts approximately one hour, including the barrel room tour and the full tasting programme. It can be easily combined with the Ferrari Museum in Maranello on the same day — the two are within a short drive of each other.
Can I visit the acetaia without a car?
The Maranello area is not well served by public transport. The most practical options are a taxi from Modena (around 20 minutes), a private transfer, or booking through us — we provide transport from Bologna, Modena, and other cities as part of an organised visit. We can combine the acetaia with the Ferrari Museum and return you to your base in the evening.
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