Have you ever tried Lambrusco wine? It was almost a year ago that my parents and I were opening a bottle of Cleto Chiarli’s Organic Lambrusco at home that I asked them the same question. And my mother hilariously quipped- “That’s our generation, babe.” And so we laughed as we clinked our glasses, cheersed to good health, and sipped on Cleto Chiarli’s refreshingly beautiful Lambrusco. A bubbly wine in gorgeous shades of purple and red that was so delicious. It inspired us to look up the location of the Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Winery, and plan a tasting and tour for our future visit to Modena and the Emilia-Romagna region. Keep reading to learn more about Cleto Chiarli’s wines, our tasting and tour, and the moments from their past that continue to shape their present, and undoubtedly the future of Lambrusco in Modena.
Established in 1860: Cleto Chiarli-Lambrusco Winery
We knew the wine tasting would be outstanding. But what we didn’t realize at the time was the rich history of the Cleto Chiarli Winery, and the way that they continue to preserve their history and traditions to this day. The Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Winery was established in 1860!
Their history is spectacular. I must say that seeing the letter that Cleto Chiarli wrote to his wife Lucia telling her that their Lambrusco won an award at the 1900 Paris exposition was absolutely remarkable! And later on, as we tasted their famed Lambrusco, I felt like we were experiencing 166 years of history in the place where it was made. And so a connection was formed with the wines and estate of Cleto Chiarli, that will keep me reaching for their Lambrusco for many years to come.
What is Lambrusco DOC Wine?
Lambrusco DOC wine is not only my new favorite bubbles. It’s also *The Wine* of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and Modena is the center of it all. Lambrusco DOC wine is a lively, slightly sparkling, or frizzante red wine. It is also made from the highest quality grapes and methods within the Lambrusco DOC regions of Italy. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which means “Controlled Designation of Origin.”
The DOC has strict rules that ultimately protect the quality and history of winemaking in Italy. The Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Winery produces DOC Lambrusco Wine and is arguably the best Lambrusco in Italy! They are definitely the oldest wine producing company in Emilia-Romagna,
The Location in Modena: Emilia-Romagna region of Italy
The Cleto Chiarli Tenute Agricole is located at Villa Cialdini in Castelvetro in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The estate is about a 30 minute drive outside of Modena, and a 1-2 hour journey from Florence depending on your mode of transportation. This is a winery and estate, and the place where Cleto Chiarli hosts wine tastings and tours.
Cleto Chiarli has other locations as well, including their flagship Via Manin location in Modena. This is where all of their historical records are held- including the Paris Exposition Honorable Mention medal of 1900.
3 nights in Bologna: Emilia-Romagna region of Italy
My parents and I stayed in Bologna for 3 nights and took a day trip to Modena for the sole purpose of visiting the Cleto Chiarli winery. I was so excited to go wine tasting with my parents. This was a first for us! Although we have had many of our own “wine tastings” at home, we have never experienced a tasting and tour at a winery together.
As I mentioned, the idea to visit the Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Winery came about when we tried and loved their Organic Lambrusco. To give you just a bit more context to the story. I had been living with my parents at the time. They were taking care of me, and helping me recover from a major shoulder surgery. As a thank you for cutting my food and braiding my hair (and everything else!), I purchased a case of Italian wine to help us research our upcoming trip to Italy.
Something to look forward to
Cleto Chiarli was my favorite find in that entire case. And even though I could not open, or even pour the Lambrusco when we originally tried it due to my one-armed situation. My tastebuds still knew a great wine. And so we added this wine tasting and tour to our list of things to do while we were in the area. I remember it giving me so much joy! I had something very special to look forward to. And if you know me? You know that wine tastings are one of my favorite activities. There is just so much to learn when you visit a winery!
Getting there by Trains & Taxi
From Bologna, we decided to take a 30 minute train ride from Bologna to Modena. From there, we took a taxi from the train station taxi stand to Cleto Chiarli Winery.
In July of 2026, it cost about 34 Euro to get to the winery, but keep in mind that the taxi back home may cost a bit more. I recommend talking about price before you get in the taxi.
Julie’s Tips:
Download the Trainline EU app to make purchasing train tickets a BREEZE. Just make sure you create an account well before you are going to take the train. This will make it an easy search and purchase situation.
The Delicious Big 3 of Modena: Emilia-Romagna region of Italy
When my parents and I started planning our 3 nights in the Emilia-Romagna Italy region, I knew 3 things. I wanted to eat great food, drink the wine of the region, and spend time in the countryside. This tour and tasting would actually take care of all 3! And trust me when I tell you that all 3 will make you wonder how on earth one region could make so many delicious things!
And the big 3 of Modena are: Lambrusco wine, Balsamic vinegar, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
With that being said, I’m sure it comes as no surprise that everything we ate in Modena, and the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, has spoiled my tastebuds forever. Nothing will ever live up the quality, flavors, and the fireworks that seemed to be going off in my mouth in the most pleasant way. If that’s not enough to make you want to visit Modena, keep reading! I have so many more delicious things to tell you about.
The Cleto Chiarli Tenute Agricole
When we arrived at the Lambrusco winery, we had about 15 minutes before our wine tasting and tour. So we took the opportunity to walk around Cleto Chiarli Tenute Agricole. This translates to agricultural estate, or the farm estate of Cleto Chiarli. Located at Villa Cialdini in Castelvetro, this estate winery was established in 2001. As I mentioned, this is not the only winery and estate of Cleto Chiarli, but this is where they conduct wine tastings and tours.
The grounds were absolutely stunning! And without even trying. I loved the porticos- an architectural staple in this region. But here they were basking in sunlight- and surrounded by green grass and vines hanging every so perfectly. This was an ideal opportunity to take a few photos! This estate was at the very heart of why I love Italy so much. And these pictures of my parents and I will forever remind me of that beautiful day we spent in the Italian Countryside- right outside of Modena. Surrounded by nature, history, and the creation of wine.
The Tour: Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Winery
If you’ve been following my adventures for awhile, then you know that I believe wine to be the window to the soul of any destination that I visit. When you visit a winery, it opens that special window not everyone gets to experience, and allows you see the destination at golden hour.
But I recommend that you do more than visit a winery. I encourage you to book the tasting and tour ahead of time. For instance, taking the tour at Cleto Chiarli that day opened my eyes to a beautiful story that will continue to make each bottle, and every sip of Lambrusco mean so much more. And it’s not only emotions that will be tied to Cleto Chiarli. I am convinced that learning the history of a winery will enhance your tasting experience as well. Because wine? Wine is emotional.
The History of Cleto Chiarli
It’s almost like learning the history of Cleto Chiarli was the special talk, or deep conversation between 2 friends that helps you understand each other a bit more. And that heart-to-heart allows you to see each other from a different lens. And in this special talk between me and the Lambrusco of Cleto Chiarli? I discovered a love for Lambrusco that I never knew existed.
For me, there were many parts of Cleto Chiarli’s history that stayed with me. For instance, it was Cleto Chiarli, and his wife Lucia who started the winery. I can only imagine that she played a massive role in its history, and she deserves her flowers in every part of this story as well.
From a Restaurant to a Lambrusco Winery
Also- their family did not start out producing wine for distribution. Cleto and Lucia first had a restaurant in Modena called Trattoria dell’Artigliere for 35 years before they realized that their Lambrusco wine was the star of the family business.
So they shifted their attention to producing Lambrusco. And in 1900 after winning the Honorable Mention Prize at the Paris Exposition, a little known Lambrusco wine became an icon. Cleto Chiarli is now the oldest, and arguably the best producer of Lambrusco wine in Modena.
The Cleto Chiarli Winery is also still all in the family, with the 4th and 5th generations of the Chiarli family continuing the traditions that began so many years ago. And somehow, even though they produce over 18 million bottles annually and use modern techniques to ensure the best possibly wine- they still have one foot planted firmly in their traditions & history.
Your brilliant guide at Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Winery
Sara, our guide for the day, told the story of the winery so beautifully. Her passion for the history and the wines of Cleto Chiarli were unmatched! My parents and I had the most delightful afternoon.
Another impressive part of Cleto Chiarli, is the way they have records that date all the way back to the early days of their restaurant. They have business ledgers that go all the way back to 1860! Archivo Chiarli is located at their Modena Headquarters, but that day we were able to see the pieces of the archives that told their story.
The Historical Archives of Cleto Chiarli- Lambrusco Winery in Emilia-Romagna
From historical advertising from the early days, to the actual bottle and label that were used for the award-winning Lambrusco wine of 1900. It was a fascinating walk through time. Sara also showed us the way that bottles were corked by hand. 2 women could use a simple machine to cork 40 bottles in one minute! Unbelievable.
And because Cleto Chiarli believes in holding their history close, they still produce a Lambrusco that is made, bottled, and corked using traditional techniques. I’ve never seen anything like it! I love that they continue to celebrate their history, and include their Lambrusco-loving customers in that celebration.
The Wine Production Facility
After our fascinating journey through time, we made our way into the wine production facility. This is where the past meets modern techniques that ensure that when you open up a bottle of Lambrusco, you are going to taste the very best. My parents and I were fascinated to learn that Lambrusco is a young wine that is best enjoyed within a year.
With that being said, Cleto Chiarli does not finish the last steps of production all at the same time. Thanks to science and temperature control, the wine from each year’s harvest is only distributed a little bit at a time to ensure maximum freshness. It is only bottled as needed.
Sara then led us to the wine tasting room. The tasting was about to begin!
The Tasting at Cleto Chiarli- Lambrusco Winery in Emilia-Romagna
Cleto Chiarli Sparkling Rose de Noir
When we sat down, Sara poured the Cleto Chiarli Sparkling Rose de Noir. A Spumante Brut, this is a wine that I had also enjoyed in Chicago at an Italian restaurant in the West Loop neighborhood where I live. The sparking rose wine is made from 85% Grasparossa, and 15% Pinot Nero.
This sparkling wine was lovely. Chilled of course, with notes of strawberries, roses, and flowers. Refreshing. This wine is best paired with charcuterie, Fish- more specifically Salmon. It has a Lively pink color with a nice finish. This is a wine that I would love to drink along with meats and cheese, because charcuterie is my love language! But, I would absolutely drink this wine by itself as well.
Julie’s tips:
Lambrusco is a young wine, so it does not need to be swirled or aerated. However, don’t forget to stick your nose in the glass before you taste it! The aromas are absolutely more powerful before your senses get use to it.
Parmigiano Reggiano + Balsamic Vinegar: A must-try duo
Then Sara brought out Parmigiano Reggiano and Cleto Chiarli’s basalmic vinegar. We had just learned about Parmigiano while on a food tour in Parma. It’s a delicious cheese, and as it ages, it becomes even more special. Parmesan ALSO goes incredibly well with balsamic vinegar, and the sparkling rose.
The Vecchia Modena Premium Lambrusco
This wine is not only the most beautiful shade of pale, ruby red. But the Vecchia Modena Premium bottle is also a replica of the label and bottle of Lambrusco that won the Mention Honorable at the 1900 Paris Exposition- right down to the way that the bottle has been sealed with a clip closure.
Drink alone or with fatty foods
This bottle of Lambrusco is an icon! With 100% Sorbara grapes, this wine is refreshing, dry, and there was a tartness to it that I loved. We uncovered aromas of raspberry and pomegranate, and there was a lovely acidity to it, that as Sara explained, makes this wine perfect with charcuterie and fried foods. Thankfully we were able to test that knowledge when Sara brought out cured salami and prosciutto for us to enjoy with the wine.
Then we started discussing food that Modena is known for that would also go perfectly with this wine. From Prosciutto di Parma to Tortellini in brodo, to fried Cod to Gnocco Fritto. The key to the pairing is to choose foods that are fatty, because the acidity cuts through the fat.
Here’s the thing though. This wine was also fantastic on its own. A chilled, pale red wine that’s not too heavy but still has a complexity and fullness to it that makes it so fun and easy to drink. Now that’s my kind of wine, and now that I’m home I’m so excited that this wine is available in Chicago.
Julie’s Tips: Read the wine label
The biggest tip I can give you when it comes to learning about wine, is to become a wine label reader. Because when you pay attention to the grape, region, and country of the wine you are drinking, you will start to understand the wine you enjoy so much more. Usually these details can be found right on the wine menu, and if not, they can be found on the back of the wine bottle. This will also help you become the master of the wine list no matter where you travel to.
What is the grape variety?
To start, my advice is to pay more attention to the grape variety of the wine you are drinking. In the case of Lambrusco wines: Is it a Lambrusco di Sorbara grape? This grape, as Sara taught us, has thinner skins and were mixed in colors! Some reddish purple, and some were green. Or is it a Lambrusco Grasparossa grape? These grapes have thicker skins.
These characteristics, along with the terroir. Which is simply the full environment of where the grapes are grown will change the flavor, aromas, and color of the wine. This will help you understand which grape you like better in your wine! So when you are purchasing your next bottle- you will feel more informed.
The Estates & Grapes of Cleto Chiarli: Lambrusco Winery
Cleto Chiarli currently has 3 estates in the in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy that span 350 hectares, with 120 hectares under vine. A hectare is equal to just under 2.5 acres. Each of their estates grows a different grape due to their unique terroir, and the environment that is best suited for each grape.
To the North of Modena, Tenuta (estate) Sozzigalli is the growing area for the Lambrusco di Sorbara grape. Just South East of Modena, Tenuta Belvedere is the place where the Lambrusco Grasparossa grape thrives. And where we were that day, at Tenura Cialdini in Castelvetro di Modena, is where they grow Lambrusco Grasparossa and Pignoletto. Cleto Chiarli also grows a small amount of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero grapes as well.
The Fondatore Lambrusco
This brings us to Wine number 3- The Fondatore Lambrusco. Dedicated to the Founder, Cleto Chiarli, this Lambrusco is the perfect example of how Cleto Chiarli has continued to celebrate its past and keep traditions alive. In a world where it may be easy to overlook the way things used to be done, Cleto Chiarli asks you to close your eyes while you sip, and go back in time.
The Fondatore Lambrusco is made from 100% Sorbara grapes, and while this wine starts off in large barrels, the 2nd fermentation happens in the bottle. The Fondatore is also unfiltered which leave the wine a bit cloudier due to the sediment, but forget the cloudiness! I hope you see it like my Mom did. The way that the Fondatore embraced traditional wine techniques made her love this wine the most.
Sentimental & Delicious
And that was for good reason! Not only did the wine drum up sentimental emotions due to its old world processes, but it was also a *fantastic* Lambrusco. If we could compare this to to the Vecchia Modena, the Fondatore has more citrus notes. It’s also drier with more tannins, but the wine was still light, refreshing, and so enjoyable.
Sara recommended a white pizza as one of her favorite pairings with this wine. She also pointed out that citrusy wines are not going to exude their best characteristics when paired with acidic foods. That’s exactly why a white pizza that does not have acidic tomatoes, is a winning partner for this specific Lambrusco.
Vigneto Cialdini Lambrusco
The Vigneto Cialdini Lambrusco is named for General Cialdini who fought for the unification of Italy. General Cialdini was also born at the Villa Cialdini long before it became an estate and Lambrusco winery in the beautiful world of Cleto Chiarli.
The Vigneto Cialdini was smooth, dry, and more balanced than the Fondatore and the Vecchia Modena. It toed the line between an acidic wine and a sweet wine and the bubbles danced on my tongue in a different way than the rest of the bubbles we had tried that day.
Vigneto Cialdini vs. Sparkling Rose de Noir
Now, let’s compare this wine to the Rosé wine that we started with. Both are made from Grasparossa grapes, but these 2 wines have different colors, and the flavors are quite the contrast. But how could that be? Sara explained that the answer lies in the skin to juice contact. And to Sara’s credit- she finally helped me understand the way this part of the wine process works!
If the skin of a red grape has no contact with the juice, the wine will be white. In the case of the Rose wine, the skins of the red Grasparossa grapes had 10 hours of contact with the juice. The result? A lovely light ruby color. In contrast, Sara so masterfully explained that the Vigneto Cialdini Lambrusco wine had 4 days of juice to skin contact. The result? A Lambrusco wine that is a deeper red.
Skin to Juice Contact
This goes to show how one grape variety can be used to make completely different wines when they use different processes. How amazing that the same grape can yield unique flavors and aromas- just by changing something as simple as skin to juice contact! . Gosh I love wine. Doesn’t this make you want to visit the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and taste wine at Cleto Chiarli?
Book your own Tasting and Tour at Cleto Chiarli- Lambrusco Winery
Are you going to be in Florence or the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy sometime soon? Click here to schedule your own wine tasting and tour at Cleto Chiarli. It will be a memorable part of your trip to Italy, I promise you! I also recommend purchasing a bottle or two to share with family, friends, or for your own delightful walk down memory lane when you arrive home from your travels.
On the move: Cleto Chiarli- Lambrusco Winery
I cannot express how much I enjoyed our conversations about wine, history, and food with Sara. She knew how to make the details of the wine and everything that goes into it so interesting and really fun. She gave us so much to think about and made our wine tasting so relatable! And her passion for Cleto Chiarli and the traditions of Modena were contagious. As soon as I arrived home in Chicago I purchased a few more bottles of Lambrusco, and I look forward to enjoying Lambrusco with a white pizza very soon! Just as she recommended.
Many thanks to Sara, and Cleto Chiarli for such a lovely afternoon of wine tasting. My parents and I are so grateful to you all for sharing you passion, history, and beautiful wines with us. Next time we visit Modena and the Emilia-Romagna region, we plan on enjoying Cleto Chiarli wines once more. But this time, we hope to pour it alongside Modena’s most celebrated and traditional dishes: Gnocco Fritti, and of course, Tortellini. And til then? We will make sure to make our own memories at home in Chicago that will no doubt revolve around great food, and a bottle or two of Cleto Chiarli.
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Meet Julie Anne, our enthusiastic writer who believes every day is an opportunity to learn and grow. Passionate about local food, wine, fashion, and history, she dives into each city’s culture to bring you authentic, inspiring stories. She started writing in 2020 for Dutchbloggeronthemove. When not traveling, Julie Anne teaches music in Chicago, IL, and advocates for students with special needs. Stay tuned for her unique insights and adventures!
