November 19th: Grattamacco with Federico Harrasser
At Vinonueva | 5145 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, 33137 | 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Click HERE to get your tickets
In partnership with Winebow.
For centuries, Grattamacco stood as Bolgheri’s greatest challenge—a rugged and demanding terrain that required vision and resilience. Established in 1977 as the region’s second winery, Grattamacco quickly set itself apart as a true pioneer. It was the first to vinify Bolgheri Rosso, to plant Vermentino, and to invest in elevated vineyards. Uniquely, Grattamacco also maintained Sangiovese in its blends, giving a distinct character to its Bolgheri Superiore wines. This bold spirit has defined Grattamacco’s journey and continues to inspire every bottle produced today.
Let's welcome Federico Harrasser, visiting all the way from Italy, to guide us through this tasting and share insights into Grattamacco’s unique approach.
BACKGROUND
Grattamacco has long been a standout name in Bolgheri. Founded in 1977, it's actually the second oldest Bolgheri estate, carving a path in a limited fertile, rough, rocky terrain. The soil here is tough—so much so that the name 'Macco' refers to the hard sandstone and limestone rocks dug up since ancient times by the Etruscans and Romans to build their roads. But founder Piermario Meletti Cavallari from Lombardy saw potential beyond the rough territory and revolutionized the estate, replacing orchards with vineyards and betting on grape varieties suited for these challenging conditions. His gamble paid off, and Grattamacco soon became a leader in producing Bolgheri Rosso. He planted Sangiovese and Bordeaux varieties, which adapted very well to Grattamacco, and was the first to plant Vermentino here, making waves in the Italian wine scene. Vermentino even became one of the winery's distinctive labels.
Photo Credits: Grattamacco
Photo Credits: Grattamacco
The winery changed hands in 2002 when Claudio Tipa took over. Tipa continued to grow the estate, expanding the vineyards to new heights and even introducing innovative growing methods to the area, like the albarello method - which involves pruning the vines to encourage a compact, rounded structure resembling a small tree. This forward-thinking approach helped establish Grattamacco's unique identity.
Photo Credits: Bolgheri DOC - Claudio Tipa
Today, the estate spans 80 hectares, with vineyards reaching up to 656 feet (200 meters), overlooking the Tuscan coast and surrounded by forests. This elevation and proximity to the sea create the perfect environment for complex, balanced wines. Grattamacco is truly a place where tradition meets innovation, offering wines that are as unique as the land they come from.
Photo Credits: Bolgheri DOC
Check out the lineup for this tasting:
- Grattamacco - Bolgheri Vermentino 2022
- Grattamacco - Bolgheri Rosso 2022
- Grattamacco - L'Alberello Toscana IGT 2021
- Grattamacco - Bolgheri Superiore 2020