Who makes Kirkland Signature Balsamic Vinegar of Modena?
Kirkland Signature Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is rumored (unverified) to be made by Acetum S.p.A.; no tier 1–5 evidence supports the claim as of September 7, 2026.
The common claim
What’s commonly claimed, and what the evidence supports
Nearly every food-media roundup names Acetum (the Modena company that is the world's largest producer of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI) as the maker of Kirkland Signature balsamic vinegar, often adding that Acetum has supplied Costco 'since 1999.' None of these sources shows any evidence: no label photo, no importer record, no company or Costco statement. Acetum is a plausible answer because it dominates PGI private-label production, and some coverage claims Acetum's name appears on the Kirkland label, but that on-label claim is unverified here, and Costco's own product page lists only 'Product of Italy.' Absent a tier 1-5 source, the attribution is rumored, not confirmed.
Evidence & sources
Each source is graded on the six-tier evidence rubric, where tier 1 is strongest. Sources are archived, so a citation still works if the original page moves or goes behind a paywall.
Tier 6
"That would be Acetum, Costco's partner in producing authentic balsamic vinegar since 1999," and "Acetum produces Kirkland's balsamic vinegar by cooking grape must (or freshly-crushed grape juice) with wine vinegars and aging them in oak casks." Names Acetum as the maker but cites no evidence (no label photo, importer record, or company/Costco statement), the pattern across all the food-media roundups.
Tier 6
Names Acetum ("the world's No. 1 source of certified Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI" and "a B Corp") as the producer of Kirkland's organic balsamic. Unsourced; no label, importer, or company statement shown.
Tier 6
"Acetum of Modena, Italy, which has produced balsamic for Costco since 1999," "a genuine Italian company." Repeats the same 'since 1999' claim with no cited source, a third independent outlet converging on the identical unsourced attribution.
Frequently asked
Who makes Kirkland Signature balsamic vinegar of Modena?
Has Acetum really made Kirkland balsamic vinegar since 1999?
Is Kirkland balsamic vinegar authentic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena?
Get notified when a Kirkland manufacturer changes
Suppliers change without announcement. Sign up to get an email when we log a new maker for a Kirkland product.
Change-log newsletter · no spam · unsubscribe anytime.