Balsamic
and pasta
making class

WHERE

MODENA HILLS, 30 mins drive from Modena and 45 mins drive from Bologna.

WHEN

All year / Monday to Sunday excluding Italian Public Holidays based on availability

MEETING POINT

Via del Cristo 8 – 41014 Castelvetro Di Modena (MO) ·

DURATION

4/5 hours

OVERVIEW:

Join us for a timeless, must-experience culinary journey in the Modena countryside, where we celebrate the iconic pairing of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and Fresh Pasta making—the signature flavors of Emilia. Meet the passionate artisan behind the balsamic tradition, get to know our sfoglina, feel their enthusiasm, and hear their stories. Enjoy an authentic experience that immerses you in a truly local atmosphere, where “Tradition” is something to be shared, savored, and embraced with joy and lightheartedness.
Our morning begins with a family-style cooking class at a charming Agriturismo in the Modena hills, where you’ll prepare Tagliatelle, Tortelloni, and other beloved classics of Modena and Bologna’s cuisine. Guided by our rezdora Giusy, you’ll learn pasta “grandma style”: starting from flour and eggs, you’ll knead the Emilian dough—la sfoglia—by hand and follow the family recipe to create your own fresh pasta.
While lunch is being prepared, we’ll dive into the world of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, tasting it by the spoon and through a typical Modenese aperitivo, including varieties aged 15 and 30 years. The experience concludes with a full lunch featuring the fresh pasta you made, served in traditional recipes, accompanied by wine, dessert, charcuterie, and a final toast to celebrate your time in our home.
There is truly no other local experience that embodies family tradition more deeply than the union of “Balsamic” and “Fresh Egg Pasta.”

In December 2025, Italian cuisine was officially added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, highlighting the cultural and social significance of Italy’s culinary traditions.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICING

🛎 Number of guests: min 4 – max 50.
💵 Price per person:
150 € / Person all included.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

If you’re looking for a day spent among locals in Modena, this is the perfect experience!
You’ll get to enjoy the fun of making fresh pasta—prepared in a way that’s almost impossible to find outside Modena and Bologna. From mixing flour and eggs to kneading, rolling, cutting, and using traditional tools, you’ll create Tortelloni and Tagliatelle exactly as they’re made every day here in Emilia.


WHAT TO EXPECT

Italian gastronomy is incredibly diverse, with each region offering its own specialties. In Emilia, our flavors are rich and satisfying—charcuterie, egg pasta, and, uniquely in Modena, the extraordinary addition of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. Just a few drops can transform countless dishes. Tortelloni “Vecchia Modena” is a local must-try: Bigger than Tortellini and stuffed with Parmigiano and fresh ricotta, they are served with pork-cheek guanciale, Parmigiano Reggiano shavings and 30-year-aged Traditional Balsamic Vinegar make it truly unforgettable. If you’re a foodie who believes in the “eat local” philosophy, this is an experience you absolutely can’t miss!

Cook pasta alongside locals, then take a short two-minute walk next door to visit a fourth-generation family-run Acetaia—the place where balsamic vinegar is crafted and where the aging barrels are lovingly cared for. Here, the family will welcome you as if you were one of their own. You’ll learn how balsamic vinegar has evolved over the years, discover the deep-rooted traditions of Modena’s families, and experience the passion and dedication passed down through generations. The moment you step inside the Acetaia, the rich, intense aroma of the vinegar will surround you. You’ll taste, by the spoon, the astonishing depth of flavor and aroma imparted by the wood, sampling Traditional Balsamic Vinegar aged over 12 and over 25 years—products of a meticulous aging process that includes rincalzi and travasi.
We’ll share everything we know about this iconic pairing, deeply woven into our local food culture and carried forward through generations with skill, care, and artisan craftsmanship.
Next, enjoy a traditional Modenese aperitivo. Savor long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano enhanced with drops of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar—perfect on both savory and sweet. Indulge in Salamino, artisanal gelato, and a glass of Lambrusco, the dry, lightly sparkling red wine produced in the rolling hills of Castelvetro di Modena, known for their breathtaking views.
We’ll guide you through each step of the experience, sharing stories that help you feel like a true local as you enjoy exceptional food, warm hospitality, and the cultural richness of this beautiful region.
Finally, sit down together for a delicious traditional lunch featuring the fresh pasta you made, tigelle or crescentine bread, premium charcuterie, dessert, wine, local liqueurs, and the unmistakable feeling of being at home. Here in Emilia, locals are known for their passion for good food and the good life—and we can’t wait to welcome you.
Take a piece of Modena home with you!


Booking details:


The experience includes:

  • Fresh Pasta Cooking Class to make Tortelloni and Tagliatelle from a to z in a family-run Agriturismo together with our “rezdora” Giusy.
  • Guided Tour of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena at a fourth-generation family’s Acetaia a few steps away, and tasting of Traditional Balsamic aged over 15 and 30 years.
  • A classic Modenese aperitivo featuring Parmigiano, salami, and wine, elevated with drops of 30-year-aged Traditional Balsamic Vinegar to perfectly prepare your palate for lunch.
  • Traditional lunch featuring the fresh pasta you made, tigelle or crescentine bread, premium charcuterie, dessert, wine, local liqueurs, particularly custard-cream artisanal Gelato with drops of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena aged 30 years.

Number of guests:

  • Min 4 – Max 50

Price per person:

How to get there:

  • Renting a car can be budget-friendly and offer you the freedom to uncover the area’s hidden gems with new memorable experiences. For example, the gorgeous Borgo of Castelvetro di Modena, the many wineries around to taste high-quality Lambrusco di Grasparossa wine, 15mins drive to enjoy a tasting of Prosciutto and the finest local charcuterie and 10 mins to Maranello Ferrari Museum.

How to book:
Please email us at book@emiliastorytellers.com to enquire about availability; you will receive a booking confirmation and be asked to pay the amount due.

Cancellation policy:
We require at least 15 days notice to cancel your booking and refund you the full amount.

EMILIA AWAITS YOU

our food and
wine tours