What an amazing 3 days we have experienced in beautiful Modena with the most wonderful group of Maserati Club members. 16 of us in total were expertly lead by Lucia who rounded us up and provided us all with unforgettable moments and so many laughs.
Some of the members had been to the Maserati International Rally in Barcelona while Jen and I met the crew in Modena. Our first night was a casual dinner at a local restaurant sharing fabulous Italian food from Italy's food capital. The following morning we met up at the Maserati factory for a private tour. Seeing so many gorgeous MC20's being built had us lusting for one of these machines and working out what we'd need to sell to make it happen! Our guide was very hospitable and knowledgable and we left with gifts - thanks Adriano from McCarroll's for putting in a word for us.
We then drove to the Acetaia Casa Maria Luigia for a tour of their aged balsamic vinegar production process and a tasting. This is owned by the famous chef Massimo Bottura - Jen's idol I might add. Fascinating history and stories about the balsamic vinegar and its importance to the local families. At $300 for a 100ml bottle it's probably also quite lucrative!
We then stopped for another delicious, impromptu lunch on our way to Salumificio Guersoni to learn the process of Modena Prosciutto. Of course we then tasted the prosciutto along with a glass of Lambrusco. This was following by a visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.
From here we took a break to got ready for the highlight of our trip. Dinner at Massimo Botturo's 3 Michelin star Osteria Francescana restaurant. This was named the best restaurant in the world in 2016. Bookings are taken 6 months in advance and sell out that morning. Massimo is also a Maserati ambassador so Lucia called in some favours to get the private dining room. The food was out of this world, the matching wines were amazing but the company and laughs on this evening were better still. When Massimo then came over to say hello I thought Jen was going to burst. He then invited us back to his villa the next day to see his car collection.
Next morning it was off to 4 Madonne Caseificio dell’Emilia to have a tour of a cheese factory where some of the finest Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is made and stored. Tasting the different vintages followed.
We then headed to see the well-known Panini Museum but on our way we took up Massimo's offer and popped in to see his amazing man-cave filled with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati... but disappointingly no Maserati. Never mind, the Panini Museum that followed contained one the the largest private collections of classic Maserati anywhere in the world. Set within an unassuming cheese (I think) factory sits the stuff of dreams. From some of the marques earliest cars including a 250F grand prix car and the famous Eldorado Maserati 420M/58 driven by Stirling Moss to the classics from the 50's, 60's and 70's including a couple of prototypes. Amazing!
The day was rounded out with a visit to the Enzo Ferrari Museum then a farewell dinner for those of us disembarking the tour.
A huge thank you to Lucia for organising such a jam-packed trip and to all the other members who made it so much fun!
Vince Nicita, Vice President
