A small villa in a quiet residential neighbourhood of Magreta. At first glance, it looks like a house like many others, but once you step inside, you enter a personal universe made of passions, memories and curiosity. Antique maps on the walls, vintage motorcycles, books telling the story of 19th-century balsamic vinegar: every object seems to introduce a story. Then you climb the stairs and, under the roof, you reach the vinegar loft. This is where the story truly takes shape.
The story
A master taster, Valerio Giacobazzi grew up with the aroma of cooked grape must. As a child, he helped his grandfather carry the vinegar up to the attic, where old sets of barrels rested, some dating back to the 19th century.
At that time, the family was large: twenty-four, twenty-five cousins playing in the same courtyard. The household revolved around the figure of the rezdora, the woman who preserved the rhythms of domestic life and also took care of the vinegar loft. In the kitchen there was always a small barrel, used to top up the bottles consumed at the table, because those who owned a vinegar loft also had the privilege of using this precious condiment often.
Today, families are smaller and many domestic vinegar lofts have disappeared, sold or forgotten. Valerio, however, has chosen to continue preserving this tradition.
And yet his life has not been made only of barrels and grape must. “I designed cars all my life and enjoyed it enormously,” he says while accompanying visitors into the attic.
A foundry pattern maker since 1971, he has worked with some of the greatest icons of Italian motoring, from Ferrari to Lamborghini and Maserati. During his career, he also collaborated with the renowned designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, contributing to the development of the Maserati 338. It was a profession that led him to stand out in his field, achieving second place worldwide.
Today, in retirement, Valerio has not stopped. He continues to write for automotive magazines, testing new models and describing the world of cars with the same enthusiasm as ever. At the same time, he devotes himself to the care of the family vinegar loft, welcoming visitors together with his wife Cinzia.
The vinegar loft
The attic is a surprising place, almost a small personal museum. Here, two passions coexist: balsamic vinegar and automotive design. Among the sets of barrels are tools of the trade, models and objects connected to the world of cars, together with curiosities collected over the years. Among them is a collection of wooden spoons from different continents, from Africa to Asia and Europe, used to hold the cloths in place on the barrels.
Every detail tells something, but not everything is revealed at once. There are curious objects, such as jars containing forgotten balsamic vinegar that, over time, has turned into a compact jelly. Small surprises that invite visitors to observe, ask questions and let themselves be guided by the stories of Valerio and Cinzia.The tasting takes place directly in the vinegar loft, among the barrels, in the place where time does its quietest work.
Visits
Visits are led directly by the owners: Valerio welcomes guests in Italian and French, while Cinzia is available for visits in English. Small private events with external catering can be organised on request. The vinegar loft is located in the attic of the house and is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
