Parmigiano Reggiano from the mountains since 1964
Santa Maria Dairy Cooperative
Santa Maria Mountain Parmigiano Reggiano Dairy | In the heart of the Modena Apennines
The Santa Maria Dairy Cooperative was founded in 1964 in Cinghinello, in the municipality of Polinago, in the heart of the Modena Apennines.
For over sixty years, we have been producing Parmigiano Reggiano DOP di Montagna, following a tradition of respect for the land, animals, and time, a fundamental ingredient in every great cheese.
This is where Parmigiano Reggiano cheese with its authentic, balanced, and recognizable taste comes from.
Milk: a short and controlled supply chain
Every shape is the result of a unique journey
We use only local milk from selected farms in the Polinago area and the Modena Apennines.
The milk arrives at the dairy fresh every day and is processed according to the Parmigiano Reggiano PDO specifications, without additives or preservatives.
The processing still takes place today using techniques that have been handed down over time:
raw milk
natural rennet
natural graft serum
long aging in dedicated warehouses
Each shape is the result of craftsmanship, patience, and care.
Marks of origin
Santa Maria Dairy: 2590
Shortly after production, each wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO from Caseificio Santa Maria is identified by a series of official elements that guarantee its origin, traceability, and authenticity.
Each form shows:
the words "Parmigiano Reggiano" in dots along the entire edge
the registration number of the Santa Maria Dairy: 2590
the month and year of production
a casein label with a unique alphanumeric code, different for each individual wheel
These elements make it possible to accurately trace the place of production and the journey of each wheel, from its creation to its aging.
Parmigiano Reggiano from the mountains
Caseificio Santa Maria is an authentic mountain dairy.
Caseificio Santa Maria is an authentic mountain dairy.
We are located in Cinghinello, in the municipality of Polinago, in the heart of the Modena Apennines, an unspoiled area where nature, altitude, and tradition have always coexisted.
Here, the landscape, clean air, and mountain meadows are not just a backdrop: they are an integral part of our Parmigiano Reggiano.
Because our cheese is not only PDO, but also meets all the requirements of the European Union for certification as a "Mountain Product."
Our animals
Animal welfare and milk quality
Our cows are raised with full respect for their welfare, following natural rhythms and a controlled diet. Healthy, well-cared-for animals produce milk that is more balanced, fragrant, and nutritious, which is essential for the quality of the cheese.
They live in a healthy environment and are fed fodder from permanent pastures, naturally rich in biodiversity. This has a direct impact on the quality of the milk and gives Parmigiano Reggiano di Montagna from Caseificio Santa Maria its character, balance, and distinctive aromatic profile, an authentic expression of the Polinago area.
Our Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wins international award
Our World Cheese Awards
Our Parmigiano Reggiano di Montagna, internationally awarded
The excellence of Santa Maria Cheese Factory’s Mountain Parmigiano Reggiano has been recognized at the World Cheese Awards:
- Silver Medal for Parmigiano Reggiano aged 30 months and 36 months,
- Bronze medal for 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano.
This result confirms the quality of our artisanal mountain production, the care taken in the curing process, and the value of the Polinago–Cinghianello area.
Santa Maria Dairy
Every shape has a story
From the mountain hay that feeds the animals, to the fresh milk processed every day, to the slow aging process: each wheel of cheese is the result of a controlled supply chain that guarantees quality, authenticity, and taste.
PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN (PDO)
Our hay
It all begins in the mountain pastures of the Modena Apennines, where hay rich in wild herbs grows naturally. A diet shaped by the seasons and the land is the first element that determines the quality of the milk and, ultimately, of Parmigiano Reggiano.
Our animals
Our cows are raised with respect for their well-being, following natural rhythms and a controlled diet.
Healthy, well-cared-for animals produce milk that is more balanced, fragrant, and nutritious, which is essential for making excellent cheese.
our milk
The milk is milked daily and delivered fresh to the dairy, without long transport times.
It is raw, untreated milk, processed a few hours after milking to preserve all its natural characteristics.
Processing
In the dairy, the milk is processed according to the traditional regulations of Parmigiano Reggiano, also known worldwide as Parmesan cheese, using only milk, natural rennet, and whey starter culture. Production takes place in traditional copper vats, following ancient techniques passed down through generations, where experience and attention to detail make all the difference.
seasoning
After salting, the wheels are left to rest in the maturing cellars for months or years.
Here, time slowly works its magic on the cheese, transforming it and enriching its aroma, structure, and digestibility.
Each wheel is carefully monitored, checked, and turned.
QUALITY
The result is a Parmigiano Reggiano produced in the mountain area, with an authentic, balanced, and complex flavor
intense fragrances
fine grain
high digestibility
high nutritional quality
Each shape tells the story of the deep connection between the land, animals, people, and time.
Where we are:
Come and Visit Us
Santa Maria Dairy
Via Del Fiorentino, 2, Polinago, MO 41040 – Cinghianello area
Store Hours
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., afternoon: closed
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.