Elio Grasso - Langhe Chardonnay Educato 2025

Elio Grasso’s story begins with a return to the land. After building a career in banking in Turin, Elio left city life in the late 1970s to return to his family’s vineyards in Monforte d’Alba, in the southern part of the Barolo zone. Together with his wife Marina, he began transforming a property that had traditionally sold its grapes into an estate devoted to growing, making, and bottling its own wines. His first vintage was 1978, marking the beginning of the winery’s modern identity.

The setting is central to the story: a natural amphitheater of steep vineyards surrounding the family home. The estate encompasses 42 hectares, with 18 hectares of vines surrounded by 24 hectares of forests and meadows. Preserving this landscape reflects the family’s conviction that their first responsibility is to be grape farmers, with winemaking growing naturally from the work in the vineyard.

Elio’s son Gianluca Grasso now leads the estate, continuing the attention to detail that established its reputation. The family’s two signature Barolos, Gavarini Chiniera and Ginestra Casa Maté, explore distinct vineyard expressions within Monforte. Chiniera’s sandier, limestone-rich soils contrast with Casa Maté’s greater clay content, offering a compelling study of how neighboring sites shape Nebbiolo. Both mature in large Slavonian oak casks, preserving the structure, perfume, and vineyard character at the heart of the family’s approach.

The 2025 Elio Grasso "Educato" is a crisp, Burgundy-inspired Langhe Chardonnay from Monforte d'Alba. It is fermented and aged for seven months in a mix of stainless steel and French oak barriques. The wine balances bright aromatics of white peach, lemon oil, and toasted hazelnut with a textured mid-palate and a distinct, chalky minerality. Its vibrant acidity and clean finish make it a stellar match for grilled seafood, roasted poultry, or light pasta dishes.

Producer: Elio Grasso

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Langhe DOC

Vintage: 2025

Size: 750ml