The Order of Nocino Modenese

The Order of Nocino is an association founded in Spilamberto in 1978 by a group of kind but determined ladies, with the aim of promoting, protecting and handing down the tradition of the homemade production of an important local product: Nocino, an ancient liqueur made from unripe walnuts that has always played a central role in local customs, especially in rural areas, in Modena and beyond.

To deepen knowledge of this excellence of our territory, the Order periodically organises courses and tasting evenings. The Association also participates in numerous events, both in the Modena area and in Italy, in order to pass on this ancient tradition.

Finally, every year the Order organises a competition called the Palio di San Valentino to decide the best family-produced Nocino in Italy. Anyone who wishes to submit their Nocino for evaluation by expert tasters, seeking feedback on how to improve or perfect it, can participate in this competition. A special feature of this association is the clear predominance of women in positions of responsibility.

Until 2005, in fact, only women were allowed to join the Order's Board of Directors. This is because, according to rural tradition, the preparation of Nocino has always been the exclusive preserve of the 'Rezdora', i.e., the housekeeper who managed the household. To recall this custom, the person who takes care of the 'management' of the order can only be a woman. However, it’s important to know that Nocino is also the favourite liqueur of witches, which is why there is a belief, which is now a certainty, that the Women of Nocino are all witches... Good ones!