Food Valley Gems: Gourmet Morning & Vineyard Lunch from Bologna
- Step inside a historic dairy and watch the Master Cheesemaker craft Parmigiano Reggiano by hand.
- Taste iconic local specialties paired with aged cheeses and precious traditional balsamic.
- Taste iconic local specialties paired with aged cheeses and precious traditional balsamic.Discover the secrets of an ancient Acetaia with an exclusive technical spoon tasting.
- Enjoy vineyard views, local wines, and a rustic country lunch at a family-run winery.
Leave the city behind and dive into the country heart of the Italian Food Valley to discover the secrets behind the scenes. In just over five hours, you will experience some of the most appreciated culinary delights of our food & wine heritage in the places of production: the "parmigiano"-King of Cheese-, the "aceto balsamico" -the legendary "Black Gold”-and finally the tasty cured meats and the vibrant wines of the Emilian rolling hills in a typical winery. In this intensive half day immersion you will enjoy world-class gastronomy surrounded by the rustic beauty of the countryside, returning you to Bologna perfectly satisfied with your entire afternoon still ahead.
Our journey begins at a traditional dairy where history is handcrafted every morning. You will enter the production rooms, amidst the processing and will witness the Mastro Casaro (Master Cheesemaker) expertly transforming fresh milk into golden wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano. This intimate visit, in the heart of the production, is followed by a rich, authentic tasting: two different maturations of cheese paired with warm, creamy ricotta, precious balsamic, and traditional specialties like the Erbazzone (local savory pie), il Salame, and the legendary Parmesan chips. Next, we enter in the silent and aromatic world of an ancient Acetaia. Within these walls, time is the secret ingredient. You will discover the mysteries of artisanal Balsamic Vinegar production, wandering among centuries-old wooden barrels. The experience culminates in a technical "spoon tasting" of many types of balsamic allowing you to perceive the complex, velvet notes of the different selections of this precious elixir. In this house, surrounded by cherry trees, a cherry-based balsamic condiment is also produced! A unique taste, never heard of before! We crown our morning at a family-run Winery that perfectly embodies the farmer's tradition. Surrounded by stunning vineyards, this suggestively rustic location is where you will enjoy a walk in the vineyard with a glass of fresh Pignoletto and a guided tasting of other exquisite local wines -Lambrusco and Barbera - served alongside a light Country Lunch featuring a selection of premium local famous cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and fresh seasonal vegetables, all accompanied by traditional breads and snacks, while enjoying the scents and colors of rural life.
- Small Group Transportation departing from Bologna.
- Expert Tour Leader: a local storyteller to guide your sensory journey and will make you feel like real insiders.
- Artisanal Dairy Experience: Full production tour and extensive tasting (2 ages of Parmigiano, Ricotta, Balsamic, Salami, Erbazzone (local savory pie), and Gnocco).
- Traditional Acetaia Visit: Cellar tour and technical "spoon tasting" of many premium vinegars.
- Light Country Lunch: tasting of 3 local fine wines paired with a selection of cold cuts, cheeses, seasonal vegetables, and artisanal breads.
15 min before tour start time.
Meeting Point: 07:30 AM, Meet your tour leader in Piazza XX Settembre in front of the bus station entrance, in Bologna city center.
Tour starts at 07:45 AM
Duration: 5 hours approx.
It is mandatory to arrive at the meeting point at the mentioned check in time. In case of delay it will not be possible to join the group, nor to have a refund or reschedule the excursion.
Comfortable shoes are suggested.
During the dairy tour you will explore the dairy production process behind the scenes. For safety reasons,visitors must wear closed-toe shoes with non-slip rubber soles, as some areas may be wet or slippery.