Lamborghini Museum and Acetaia Paltrinieri

They call the area around Modena the Land of Motors, or Car Country. The day after we went to the Enzo Ferrari museum, we drove northeast from Baiso, past Modena, to Sant'Agata Bolognese.

Hart says he was looking forward to the Lamborghini museum the most out of anything else during this trip. He liked the history at Ferrari, but for him, Lamborghini cars are the best.

A carbon fiber engine intake manifold Christmas Tree, says Hart.

 

Hart says this Veneno looks like a fighter jet.

Hart thought this Gallardo concept car was interesting, but not as gorgeous as the regular Gallardo.

 Hart says this Miura is/was the first mid-engine super car, and therefore, the holy grail of Italian specialty cars.

It is a very rare occurrence for my son to be actually speechless, but he was - for at least 40 minutes after we left Lamborghini. He is such a fan of these cars, and to get to see them so up close and personal was maybe a little overwhelming!

So, off we went toward Sorbara, stopping first in Castelfranco Emilia, where they have made their reverence for tortellini known by erecting the Monumento al Tortellino.

We get it - those little pillows of goodness are amazing. We had them repeatedly in Emilia Romagna, in broth, with ragu, with butter and sage...delizioso, and certainly deserving of a statue in their honor.

After getting a little lost and failing to find the parmigiano reggiano producer we wanted to visit, we headed up to Agriturismo Acetaia Paltrinieri. They have been producing balsamic vinegar from the adjacent vineyards for over 150 years, and have a restaurant on the premises.

 Their two dogs were so sweet. Big, dirty, and sweet. The mama came to greet us, but after finding us acceptable, returned to sunbathe in a carpet of hay in front the the restaurant. Her son, Tobia, and Hart fell in instant love.

Hart says Tobia was the kindest, most huggable dog ever.

Cuteness!

The lunch was very delicious. It began with parmigiano reggiano and aceto, with a glass of pignorello, a semi-sparkling white from the immediate region.

 

Then came a delightful surprise. Fresh, hot tigelle, little round, grilled breads, served with pesto modenese...pork fat whipped with garlic and herbs into a decadent, sumptuous spread. Hart's eyes rolled back in his head, and he worried that he would never taste something so delicious ever again. He said it was heavenly, beyond belief. Me too, same.

I had a glass of super-local lambrusco di Sorbara. I get why lambrusco is so big around here, with all the pork fat being served. It balances it. Not surprised to be served a delicious tortelloni, followed by chicken wrapped with pancetta. All fantastic.

Hart and Tobia in the dormant vineyard.

It was our last full day in Emilia Romagna, and we loved every minute.