Grappa is a brandy made from the pomace of grapes that are produced, vinified, and distilled exclusively in Italy.

The production of grappa is a meticulous art, and discovering it is truly a full immersion experience into the fascinating methods used to produce the highest quality grappa. In particular this is done by a dedicated family in northern Italy which, for four generations, has perfected the art by combining traditional with cutting edge methods. The family takes great care in producing the best pomace of the territory. Once ready, the grappa is left to age from 8 to up to 20 years in barrels in an underground cellar.

But it doesn’t stop there.The family is so dedicated to producing the highest quality grappa that they also use advanced and up-and-coming methods to improve the flavor, including using “chromotherapy”, where the barrels are exposed to various colored lights at various intensities, thus mimicking the day/night cycle which is said to enhance the flavor. They also employ “music therapy” – playing classical music “to” the barrels – after a Japanese study showed that classical music can also enhance and improve the flavor of brandy during the aging process!

A visit to this spectacular distillery is an adventure into the historic and modern methods of creating of one of the most appreciated brandys in the world, a multi-sensorial experience unlike any other, even for those who don’t drink.

 

About Charis McCullough

Charis decided to move to Italy six years ago after an incredible three month visit to the beautiful and untouched region of Abruzzo changed her vision of the world. She fell in love with the Italian culture, the language, history, art, and especially the food, wine, and coffee, and after getting a fine arts degree from Rome's Accademia di Belle Arti, she never looked back. She now works as a translator and social media manager for a wedding planner as well as a freelance painter, writer, and guide, introducing visitors to the authentic side of this beautiful country that she so loves, a side that makes them too want to move here to live la bella vita and never go back.