One of the original two ‘Super Tuscan’ pioneers and the first winery to put ‘Bolgheri’ on a label, Grattamacco is quite simply one of the most important winery’s in Italy’s modern history.

It is hard to remember that ‘Bolgheri’, on the Tuscan coastline, wasn’t even a wine-producing region until Sassicaia and Grattamacco planted vines there in the 1970s and changed the face of Italian winemaking. In 1977 Grattamacco established themselves as the second winery to be built in Bolgheri. But in the early 1980s they breathed true life to the region, becoming the first to vinify Bolgheri Rosso. Indeed it was at Grattamacco that the region’s pioneers gathered to establish the regulations for Bolgheri DOC. Today the estate stretches over 80 hectares, 34 of which are under vine, 5 given to olive groves and the remaining area preserved for native woodland.

The international grape varieties that built the reputation of the Super Tuscans – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are all here, but whilst Grattamacco is a company of pioneers, they have never forgotten their Italian heritage – Sangiovese and Vermentino remain critical to the winery’s fermentations, with Grattamacco one of the few Super Tuscans to always include Sangiovese in their flagship cuvée.

The estate sits atop a wooded ridge between Castagnetto Carducci and Bolgheri, benefitting from the microclimate of the nearby sea breezes. It also sits on one of the best seams of sodium-rich white clay in the area. The white wines develop a distinct flavour, as well as freshness and longevity, typical characteristics of vineyards overlooking the sea. While the reds acquire elegance and finesse, strengthening the perfect union between structure and delicate tannins.

Besides their flagship Grattamacco and Grattamacco Bianco (one of the world’s finest Vermentinos) the winery has now made over 40 vintages of their Bolgheri Rosso, made from grapes from younger vines, matured in a combination of stainless steel and barrique. Albarello is their homage to the vine training system deployed in their hot, dry climate – a cuvée of the two Cabernets, Sauvignon and Franc.