When we talk about Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, our minds immediately turn to Emilia, the region where this ‘black gold’ has been produced since time immemorial. Whilst it is now widely accepted that Modena is the home of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO, not everyone realises that the true secret of this nectar lies in its production environments: the acetaie. Only by visiting these spaces – which are mostly converted attics, lofts and barns – can one discover the secret behind the vinegar’s exquisite flavour and appreciate the interplay between place and time.

In fact, it is in the old vinegar cellar that the ‘Collezioni Della Nonna’ and ‘Paradiso’ ranges – traditional Modena PDO balsamic vinegars – are aged, drawn from precious, ancient barrels that are well over a century old.

Grandma’s Collection 2022

The first vessel of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO, stored in the Acetaia del Cristo, dates back to 1849: this incredibly precious, centuries-old collection belonging to great-grandmother Maria is jealously guarded in the old vinegar cellar, from which a few small ampoules are drawn each year to create the annual collection dedicated to her, renamed ‘Della Nonna’.

A collection of 27 numbered ampoules of Extra Old Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, packaged in a fine hand-painted wooden box, creating a true collector’s item.

This noble package, reserved for our most prized Selections, features a hand-painted lid this year, as it did in its first edition. In the 2022 edition, Maria Luisa Bergamini, our family artist, reproduces the “Funeral of the Fox” (School of Wiligelmo – Stories of King Arthur).

Drawing inspiration from the Porta della Peschiera, the magnificent northern entrance to Modena Cathedral, the artist has translated the architectural immensity of this gate onto the packaging, to highlight the importance of the two subjects, the imposing Romanesque Cathedral and the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP.

Inside the box, in addition to the Giugiaro Design vial containing Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO – Extra Old ‘il Favoloso!’ Della Nonna 2022 Collection, you will find a tasting spoon and a special certificate confirming its inclusion in the vintage batch. This Extra-aged Traditional Balsamic Vinegar can be described as a collector’s item; when tasted on its own, it floods the palate with an infinite array of sensations, the lingering aftertaste of which will stay with you until next year’s bottling.

When ancient Modena tradition reaches celestial heights: The Paradiso 2022 Collection

Like any old barn, the structure of the original vinegar cellar winds its way up a series of steep steps, passing through floors of varying heights – some barely noticeable – mezzanines and galleries, until it reaches the top floor of the building, renamed the ‘Paradiso’ attic: another secret spot for these creators of Balsamic Vinegar, a treasure chest that holds the essence, history and passion of a product – it is here that the Paradiso Collection comes to life.

Production is limited to just a few small bottles each year, drawn from centuries-old barrels: the spirits are drawn alternately from each of the barrels that make up the Paradiso attic, resulting in a product whose personality, always striking, leans sometimes towards the decisive refinement of juniper, sometimes towards the soft sweetness of cherry.

The Paradiso Collection, available in just 27 numbered vials containing Extra Vecchio Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO, is presented in an elegant wooden box with a hand-painted lid.

In this edition, our artist, Maria Luisa Bergamini, reproduces a detail from a miniature of the Relatio depicting the architect Lanfranco supervising the construction of Modena Cathedral.

This reproduction is our very personal way of thanking those who built and bequeathed to us, the people of Modena, this magnificent example of Romanesque architecture; a representation that we hope will inspire our customers to visit Modena and our vinegar factory.

Inside the box, in addition to the Giugiaro Design vial containing Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO – Extra Vecchio “il Favoloso!” Paradiso 2022 Collection, you will find a tasting spoon, a certificate confirming the vinegar’s inclusion in the vintage batch, and a recipe booklet in five languages.

Acetaia managers for 4 generations

For four generations, Acetaia del Cristo has been working daily in the historic vinegar factory, moving throughout the various production phases within a physical space and a cultural heritage comprised of over 2,000 barrels exclusively dedicated to Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP. Today, Daniele and Gilberto continue the family business, striving to convey the charm of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, once reserved for family use and jealously guarded in the attic by their ancestors.

They personally oversee every stage of the production process, fully respecting the most ancient traditions and the DOP regulations. Thanks to the care of their organically farmed vineyards, Acetaia del Cristo creates its own black gold, from the grape harvest to the subsequent cooking of the must, and the delicate operations of drawing off, decanting, and topping up.

It is only thanks to this heritage, passed down from 1849 to the present day, from one generation to the next, that it is possible to taste extra-aged balsamic vinegars over a century old, such as the Della Nonna and Paradiso collections, which are now available in our online shop.

The 2022 Della Nonna and Paradiso collections are finally available!

Visit our online shop and purchase a true collector’s item: you can also choose the number of ampoules you want from those still available.

Hurry, there are only 27 per collection!