What to do in Scandiano when it rains

A rainy day doesn’t have to spoil a stay in Scandiano. When the sky turns grey and outdoor walks become less inviting, it doesn’t mean you have to give up on getting to know the area: all it takes is a change of perspective, letting yourself be guided by experiences that bring you closer to the local history and traditions, all while staying dry.

Scandiano and its surroundings offer plenty of ways to spend a pleasant day even when it rains, mixing curiosity, conviviality and relaxation. Here, food and wine culture holds a special place, but there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore, learn something new, or simply enjoy a few hours of quiet.

So here are a few ideas for anyone staying at our agriturismo who doesn’t want to miss out on experiencing Scandiano to the fullest, rain or no rain.

Step into the world of Parmigiano Reggiano

When it comes to Emilia-Romagna, some products tell the story of the land better than words ever could. Parmigiano Reggiano is certainly one of them, the star of a cheesemaking tradition that has shaped the province of Reggio Emilia for centuries. A rainy day is the perfect excuse to step inside a dairy and see up close what lies behind one of Italy’s most famous culinary treasures.

In Pratissolo (a hamlet of Scandiano), Caseificio Boiardo offers guided tours led by a master cheesemaker, taking visitors through every stage of Parmigiano Reggiano production: from collecting the milk to working it in the traditional copper vat, right through to shaping and salting the wheels. The experience reveals a centuries-old craft, handed down from generation to generation and still made today exactly as it always has been. The tour ends with a tasting of the cheese at different stages of ageing, letting you savour the subtle differences in aroma and flavour that come with each phase of maturation.

Visit a winery

Wine lovers can spend a rainy afternoon exploring the local winemaking tradition. The hills of Scandiano have long been a prime location for quality viticulture. Excellent sun exposure for the vineyards, gentle breezes, day-to-night and seasonal temperature swings, and the composition of the soil all come together to create ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes.

At the foot of the Scandiano hills lies Azienda Vinicola Bertolani Alfredo. Founded in 1925, the winery uses only hillside grapes to produce red Lambrusco and Cabernet wines, along with white wines made from Spergola, an ancient native white grape variety that has been grown in Scandiano since the 11th century. A visit to the cellar offers a different way of getting to know the area, learning about the local grape varieties and the work behind every bottle, from vineyard to vinification and ageing. And of course, a tasting is not to be missed.

Discover the secrets of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar

If there’s another product that captures the essence of Reggio Emilia’s food and wine culture, it’s undoubtedly Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia DOP (Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia). And a rainy day can turn into the ideal opportunity to uncover its secrets and let yourself be enveloped by the rich aromas of a historic vinegar cellar.

On the outskirts of Scandiano, in the hamlet of Fellegara, Acetaia Cavalli Cav. Ferdinando opens its doors to visitors for an experience that engages sight and smell, but above all, taste. After a short five-minute film introducing Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia DOP, its centuries-old history and its production today, the visit continues with a guided tour through the various rooms of the vinegar cellar. Particularly interesting is the chance to sample the vinegar at different stages of processing, so you can understand how the product evolves from cooked grape must all the way to bottling.

Catch a show or a film screening

Few things are as enjoyable as a few hours spent comfortably seated, watching a good film or a live performance, while it rains outside. That’s exactly what Cinema Teatro Boiardo, in the heart of Scandiano, offers: a perfect way to spend time indoors, letting yourself be drawn into the atmosphere of the theatre and whatever’s on the programme.

Named after the poet Matteo Maria Boiardo, the venue hosts first-run film screenings, arthouse film series, plays and musical performances, organised in collaboration with the local council. The programme is updated regularly, so it’s worth checking what’s on in advance. And if you’re travelling with children, it’s worth keeping an eye out for family-friendly events, which can turn a rainy afternoon or evening into a fun experience to share.

Take a cooking class

Why not use a rainy day to learn something new and, above all, get your hands into some dough? Emilian cuisine is built on gestures, recipes and traditions often passed down within families, and taking a cooking class is a delightful way to get closer to this culinary heritage. It’s fun, you get to try your hand at new dishes, and in the end you take home more than just a recipe — you take home an experience worth remembering, and maybe even repeating once you’re back home.

Scandiano offers several options. Ristorante Osteria in Scandiano regularly organises convivial classes dedicated to fresh pasta, from cappelletti to pumpkin tortelli. Nearby, in the hamlet of Arceto, AgroDolce Cooking Lab offers a varied calendar of classes for both adults and children.

Relax in our agriturismo’s common room

What if, quite simply, the best thing to do on a rainy day is nothing at all? At Il Brugnolo, we believe that every now and then it’s good to stop and enjoy doing nothing. Our cosy common room with fireplace was designed with exactly this in mind: a place to spend time together, pick up a book from our small library, or challenge each other to one of the many board games available.

After all, this too is part of a holiday: not necessarily having a plan, and allowing yourself the pleasure of slowing down. After a tour, a tasting, or a cooking class, coming back to Il Brugnolo to unwind for a while is all it takes to feel good.