Elio Grasso

Located in the hills of Monforte d'Alba, in the southern part of the Langhe region in Piemonte, Elio Grasso is one of the most renowned winemakers of Barolo. The winery, which has been run by the Grasso family for several generations, is renowned for its single-vineyard Barolos and its calm, unpretentious approach, which puts the vineyards above all else.

History

The domain is situated in an area that has been considered the finest wine-growing region for over a century, and its plots were already marked on the historic vineyard map by Lorenzo Fantini in the early 1900s.

The winery’s modern history begins with Elio Grasso himself. Before devoting himself entirely to winemaking, he worked at a bank in Turin, but eventually returned to the family hills around Monforte d’Alba. From 1978, he began vinifying and bottling wine from each of the family’s vineyards separately, rather than selling it as his ancestors had done.

Today, the winery is run by his son Gianluca, whilst Elio continues to keep a close eye on everything. Annual production stands at around 90,000 bottles, a figure deliberately kept low to ensure strict control at every stage.

Vineyards

The estate covers a total of around 42 hectares, 18 of which are planted with vines. The remaining 24 hectares consist of woods and meadows, which the family regards as part of the wider terroir.

The vineyards are situated in the Langhe region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are located on two main plots adjacent to the winery: Gavarini and Ginestra. Below the winery itself lies the small Runcot plot, covering an area of just around 1.5 hectares.

Terroir

Monforte d’Alba is one of the eleven communes in the Barolo DOCG zone and the second largest in terms of vineyard area. The hills surrounding the estate form a natural amphitheatre with varying exposures and altitudes, mainly ranging from 300 to 400 metres. The soils are typical of the southern part of Barolo and consist of sandstone and marl of varying ages. Gavarini Cignera is situated on the higher, sandy part, whilst Ginestra Casa Mate is on the lower plot with a higher clay content. Runcot has clay-limestone soils.

Grapes

The estate works mainly with classic local varieties: Nebbiolo for Barolo and Langhe Nebbiolo, Barbera for Vigna Martina and Dolcetto for Dei Grassi. In 1986, a small plot of Chardonnay was added, giving the family the opportunity to produce a single white wine.

Winemaking

The cellar was carved into the hillside in 2004 and provides a stable temperature and humidity for fermentation and ageing. The Grasso family describes their philosophy as unhurried: extended fermentation, separate vinification by vineyard, and patient ageing in wood and bottles before release. The style lies at the intersection of tradition and gentle innovation, using both large casks and barriques depending on the wine.

Wines

The range includes three single-varietal Barolos: Gavarini Chiniera, Ginestra Casa Maté and Riserva Rüncot, the latter of which is produced only in the best vintages and aged for around four years in French oak barrels.

Alongside these are the Barbera d'Alba Vigna Martina, Langhe Nebbiolo, Dolcetto d'Alba dei Grassi and Langhe Chardonnay Educato, the name of which refers to the idea of ‘nurturing’ a non-native grape variety with the aim of expressing the local terroir.