The grandfather of Balsamic Vinegar

The grandfather of Balsamic Vinegar

Adriano Grosoli, the grandfather of Balsamic Vinegar, has just turned ninety-two. Founder and supporter of the Protection Consortium, Adriano has Balsamic Vinegar running through his veins. But let’s find out who this lover and champion of the Black Gold of Modena is.

Born in “la Busa”, a small hamlet on the outskirts of Modena. Adriano Grosoli comes from a family who liked to offer “good stuff” to the diners of the family restaurant. From hand-made meats and cured meats to wine and cheeses. Adriano’s family has always had a passion for good food and the desire to share it with all lovers of cuisine. It is said that the famous Enzo Ferrari also dine at the tables of the Grosoli family’s restaurant!

As per tradition, the batteries with the vinegar barrels were present in the attics of the Grosoli family. They intended for the dowry of the female daughter. However, in those years, the role of Balsamic Vinegar for the family business was still quite marginal. Things changed after World War II. The family moved to the city centre and opened a shop (which today we could define as “gastronomy”). Here the vinegar is offered in both the young and the aged version. Production is limited, and its value is therefore extremely high.  

The beginning of the 70s,

Adriano, who still works in family gastronomy, begins to perceive, and anticipate, the future of what will be a product recognized and appreciated all over the world. He, therefore, decided to focus on the production and marketing of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. A gamble for those years but, undoubtedly, a winning move.

The expansion

Adriano closes his shop and gets armed with a van with which he promotes the sale of the Black Gold of Modena. First outside the city limits, then the nation and finally even the continent. Driven by curiosity, a spirit of initiative and strong charisma, Grosoli arrives in the United States and goes on to the world,  accompanied by his wife Luciana. Sales of Balsamic Vinegar begin to increase, and the product is gaining increasing recognition worldwide.

With the growing success of a condiment unique in the world, Adriano realizes the need to protect this product. He spoke with other champions of Balsamic Vinegar (Giorgio Fini, Elio Federzoni and Giuseppe Giusti). Adriano becomes a strong supporter of the constitution of the Consortium for the Protection of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, which was born in 1993. Adriano remains vice president until 2001. Afterwards, his daughter joined him.

 

The grandfather of Balsamic Vinegar continues to frequent his offices until the age of 88. It was always driven by enthusiasm and vocation. Today, at the venerable age of 92 (completed May 2) Adriano still demonstrates the incredible strength of those who have had courage, determination and perseverance in life.

“We give back something of what this territory and this product have given us,” says Adriano Grosoli, the grandfather of Balsamic Vinegar. And not only does he say it, but he has shown (and proves it!) To the whole community that Balsamic Vinegar uses and loves it all over the world.

Greetings from Modena