Grappa Marolo is an artisanal grappa distillery built in 1977 in Alba in Northern Italy that focuses on producing high quality grappa from different native grapes and even single vineyards.
Brief history
The distillery was born from the desire to transform a traditional, often rustic product into an excellent example of the distiller’s art.
From that time on, we have consistently worked with the pomaces of noble grape varieties to make spirits that exalt the special qualities of each variety. Marolo’s distillery is not automated, and so he attentively surveys every phase of the distillation process, his meticulous craftsmanship adapting knowingly to the various characteristics of the pomaces that are used. The results bear witness to Paolo Marolo’s comprehension of the workings of nature, and to his ability, through the skillful creation of these fine spirits, to bring out the personalities of the grapes in their fullest expression.
Today the Santa Teresa distillery is testimony to Paolo Marolo’s ability to create an artful fusion of artisanal, traditional techniques with modern equipement. Our vision also means giving our beautifully fashioned grappas the benefit of a marketing approach that reflects a perspective of looking ahead to a future of grappa-making that will be efficient and dynamic.
Marrying tradition and modernity, our constant search for new images to reflect the character of our grappas led to the choice of maestro Gianni Gallo as designer of the labels. The exquisite images, which artfully complement the traditional classic shape of the bottles, have done their part toward contributing to the history of the distillery. For further information about our distillery and the world of grappa, please check our blog Marolo Heritage.
Location
Marolo distillery is located in Alba, in the heart of Langhe area, Piedmont. As for many wine producers of this UNESCO world heritage site, our goal is to produce high quality grappa that express the terroir at its best. We believe that also distillated fine spirits can reflects the values of this land. Nevertheless, we are focusing on distilling single grapes varieties and single cru of Barolo.
Vineyards and grape varieties
Marolo grappas are the expression of Italian single grape varieties, in particular coming from the Piedmont region in Northern Italy.
Only the freshest marcs (pomace) arrive at the distillery, during the harvest period, to be used with all their aromas and properties.
Moscato, Arneis and Nebbiolo from Barbaresco and Barolo, even special cru like Bussia.
Marolo also works with other Italian grape varieties to produce Grappa di Amarone, Grappa di Gewurztraminer or Grappa di Vermentino. At the end of the last year we have launched new Double Cask Grappas and a traditional Piedmontese amaro, brought back to life with a new and modern recipe: Amaro Ulrich. See al Marolo products on Marolo.com
Distillery
Marolo’s grappas were born in 1977 from the desire to transform a traditional, often rustic product into an excellent example of the distiller’s art.
What makes our production a high quality one is the presence of two small discontinuous ‘bain marie” stills, one for white wine pomace and the other for the red wine pomace. This method of production means that our distillery Santa Teresa cannot distill large quantities of spirits, but it allows Marolo to capture optimally the diverse and well-defined characteristics of excellent raw materials he uses.
People
The distillery owners are father Paolo Marolo and son, Lorenzo Marolo
Paolo and Lorenzo are the Grappa Masters, or “Mastro Grappaiolo”.
Paolo and Lorenzo Marolo, two generations with the same great passion for distillation.
In 1967, Paolo became a teacher himself, responsible of the important course called ” Preparations of herbs and liquors”. His passion for the distillation started here and in 1977, he created his little distillery in the family-house in Alba, under the kind look of Saint Therese’s fresco on the external wall. That’s why he called his distillery with her name.
Lorenzo attended the same school where Paolo taught, the “Istituto Umberto I“, to become a wine technician and, after a course of Management at the University, he started to cooperate with his father in an endless exchange of ideas. Paolo says “he is the future coming, he is the tomorrow with the tradition of today.”
Marolo Grappas
Check out our reviews of Marolo’s grappas made from Muscat and Barolo grapes at Review of Grappas from the Collezzione Marolo:
Visits information
It is possible to visit our distillery and organize grappa tastings by reservation.
Call +39 0173/33144 or visit Marolo.com
Marolo on Social Media
Grappa Marolo has a Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page. The distillery blog dedicated to the grappa and spirits, full of stories that show our passion and our work. Curiosity, history, mixology, tradition, territory… Marolo Heritage is all of these, and much more.
Share your experience using the hashtag #grappamarolo