Elle explores an escape to Modena

Discovering Modena in the seat of a Maserati may not be within reach of everyone, yet the excellence of the city’s food, wine, and hospitality certainly is. We welcomed Kayla Webley Adler from Elle USA on the last leg of her road trip while test-driving Maserati’s newest luxury sports car models from Rome through Tuscany to Italy’s prestigious Motor Valley.  

While the main flux of tourists heads to more traditional destinations, the savvy traveler finds Italy’s many rewarding off-the-beaten-path gems. Modena certainly shines: with advanced technology and design found in the luxury automotive brands, with sparkling glasses of Lambrusco wines served with some of Italy’s finest cuisine, and with a sweet drop of balsamic vinegar to finish a journey of culture, design, and taste.  

The Cleto Chiarli winery opened in 2000 next to the Chiarli family’s historic villa in the Modenese countryside at the foot of the Apennines. No trip to Modena could be complete without spending some time with the oldest producer of Lambrusco wines on the stately grounds surrounded by hills and vineyards. Genuine, attentive hospitality is as important as tasting the wines for the Chiarlis. We thank Elle contributor Kayla Webley Adler for showcasing Modena’s best.