Here's a post from a few months ago with a link for a balsamic vinegar factory tour in Reggio Emilia.

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Author: Zimmerer
Date: 02/19/2004, 06:45 am
Message: My husband and I went on a culinary tour of the Emilia Romana (Italy) and loved it. We toured a Parma Prosciutto producer, a Parmesan producer, and a Balsamic Vinegar producer (from Reggio Emilia not Modena). I had a hard time finding information about culinary tours in this region, so I thought I might share some information with other food fanatics.

I have listed web links to a private tour group and to several consortiums (one for each product). You can find tour and contact information in English at each website.

Consorzio del Parmigiano Reggiano
http://www.parmigiano-reggiano.it
Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma
http://www.prosciuttodiparma.com
Consorzio di Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia
http://www.acetobalsamicotradizionale.it/inglese/home.htm

The consortiums of producers (cheese, vinegar and proscuitto) were created to protect and guaranteeing the geographical origin, the production process, the quality and the content of products produced in the province.

To find a package tour, tailored to your needs, I have listed the company we used. I?m sure other companies exist.
Parma Golosa
http://www.parmagolosa.it
This is the company we used to visit 3 small producers in six hours.

Have fun!

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Hope this helps ...

Steve

We also used Parma Golosa for a tour of all three. I don't recall how much the fee was, it was well worth it. Having a private tour really helped to make very good usage of our time. We using them again this fall, going to take MIL.
Newt

Steve and Newt-

Thanks for the info on the Parma Golosa tour. I love this board because it helps me find things that I didn't know existed, but absolutely must do!

I'm planning a winter "foodie" trip to Bologna and surrounding towns. I think this tour might just be my husband's surprise Christmas gift.

Anyone have any Emilio Romana (sp?) winery recommendations? How about recommendations for great lunches in small towns in the region?

I'm going to start another thread with these questions, but I thought I would ask on this food-oriented thread, too.

Thanks everyone!

If you'er going on a foodie tour of BLQ,
then take the train to Modena and have lunch @ Hosteria Guisti. Book it MONTHS in advance, only 4 tables.
We get to eat there again on the 7th.
Modena is outta this world for food, culture, and no tourists, cant wait to return,
Newt