This was one of my most memorable part of my Italian trip. You MUST make a trip here to learn about…read morebalsamic vinegar, get complimentary tastings, and buy authentic balsamic vinegar! I ended up buying the twin pack of the balsamic and white vinegar, the 25 year old balsamic vinegar, and a walnut liquor (they happen to have a lot of walnuts and they make it into alcohol. it's very strong). I totally regret not buying the bigger bottle of their condiment balsamic vinegar though.
Getting here from the main station via public transportation was quite stressful because I don't speak Italian and couldn't ask for help. BUT the people super helpful and nice. The bus driver actually got out of her bus to point to where I should stand and was extremely helpful. This doesn't happen in Los Angeles! In my experience, the people of Modena were extremely kind and friendly.
Before your trip, contact them and book a reservation. The tour is free.
How to get there via bus:
From the main station, I took Bus 9, transferred at Modena Autostazione and took Bus 2A to San Donnino. You MUST take Bus 2A, not Bus 2 because Bus 2A goes a little further to your final destination. The cost is only €1.50 and you pay ON THE BUS. I thought I had to buy tickets before boarding like in Rome. The bus driver doesn't check to see if you have a ticket but there are officers who get on the bus at random stops to do a check. And I can tell you from experience that one old lady got in soooo much trouble because she didn't tap her card. She must have been a local trying to get a free ride.