L’Alberello (head-pruned) is the way the vineyards are trained. It has been the first vineyard to be planted in Alberello shape in Bolgheri area. Grattamacco was founded in 1977 and was the second winery of the Bolgheri appellation, following Sassicaia. Grattamacco has lead the region in environmentally responsible farming, and was the first to use an Alberello or head-pruned method in Bolgheri. The winery lies on a rise between Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheri, with a panoramic view of the Tuscan coast. The Grattamacco vineyards are located at about 330 ft. above sea level, in a wonderfully protected plot that spans over one of Bolgheri’s only two hills, and is surrounded by other internationally renowned Bolgheri properties.

A wine from a vineyard of 2 hectares where very dense individual vine training takes place, so that each branch is of equal distance to the vines around it. The wine is cultivated organically on loamy sandy soil with moderate limestone. The individual vine training and strict thinning out of grapes ensures maximum production of 1 kg of grapes per branch. Picking and any other work on the plants are carried out manually. Preparation of the wine begins with the alcoholic fermentation in small conical wooden containers the caps of which are turned and must fermentation takes longer. Malolactic fermentation follows in barriques, in which the wine develops for 18 months. The wine subsequently ripens in bottles for at least another 12 months.

As with Bolgheri, both Bordeaux wines Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc dominate here, but instead of Merlot and Sangiovese, the robust Petit Verdot Grape is added, resulting in a robust, opulent and intensive red wine. Its structure is complex and the tannins wonderfully ripe and silky. Notes of blackcurrant, blackberries. Leather and coffee are dominant. Eclectic and full of character on the palate. Suitable with barbecues, meat dishes, game, mushroom or truffle risotto, ripe mountain cheeses.