The Company Behind Costco's Kirkland Brand Balsamic Vinegar

While shopping the aisles of Costco, you may have seen its Kirkland brand balsamic vinegar and thought it would pair perfectly with your next salad or a fresh loaf of bread. And you'd be right. Kirkland's balsamic vinegar has a sweet, rich flavor that is the perfect pair for the right dish. But what is the other brand proudly displayed on the front of the bottle?

That would be Acetum, Costco's partner in producing authentic balsamic vinegar since 1999. It's based in Modena, Italy, and has been producing high-quality vinegar since 1906. Acetum, which means "vinegar" in Latin, is certified as one of the best in the industry and is the largest balsamic vinegar producer in Modena, responsible for more than 20% of its production.

Acetum also holds a B Corp Certification, which verifies that the company is consistently transparent in its practices, adheres to high performance standards, and is cognizant of its ecological footprint. All of these attributes make it the perfect partner for a superstore giant like Costco.

Acetum produces Kirkland's balsamic vinegar by cooking grape must (or freshly-crushed grape juice) with wine vinegars and aging them in oak casks. The product's reviews speak to the validity and success of the Kirkland/Acetum partnership. The balsamic vinegar has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating on Costco's website.

You'll also see two other seals on the Kirkland balsamic vinegar: the European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and the Balsamic Vinegar Consortium stamp. The European PGI seal allows Acetum to put "balsamic vinegar of Modena" on its labels. The seal guarantees the vinegar was produced in the Modena region and aged a minimum of 60 days in wooden barrels, an important step to making balsamic vinegar.

Acetum is also one of 50 companies that make up the Balsamic Vinegar Consortium. This Consortium is trusted by The Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies to protect the good name of Modena's balsamic vinegar. Acetum and the rest of the Consortium ensure no counterfeit products enter the market.

These labels certify that Acetum is a premium balsamic vinegar producer, adhering to social and business standards and using top-notch ingredients to make around 6 and a half million gallons of product each year. Acetum sells other products like apple cider vinegar, white and red wine vinegar, and champagne vinegar. You can also find its organic apple cider vinegar on Costco's shelves or online.