SINCE 1870, DISTILLERIA BERTAGNOLLI. THE CULTURE OF THE DISTILLED SPIRIT
Over 150 years of award-winning quality grappa through 5 generations of the same family, ancient secrets and innovation. It is the story of the oldest distillery in Trentino-Alto Adige, which is constantly evolving and redesigning itself to meet the future.
The Distilleria Bertagnolli is the oldest family-distillery in Trentino Alto-Adige in Northen Itlay. The Distillery is in the
heart of the Piana Rotaliana, a landscape described by Goethe as the "most beautiful vineyard in Europe", situated at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites - UNESCO World Heritage. Here the climate is perfect for growing exquisite and aromatic grapes, and it’s precisely from these grapes that Bertagnolli obtains Grappa which is rich in flavour and taste.
Its origin dates back to 1870 when the landowner Giulia de Kreutzenberg, of Austrian aristocratic descent, married Edoardo Bertagnolli, forebear of the family and heir to an established pharmaceutical business. Giulia's passion combined with Edoardo's experience in distillation with discontinuous steam alembics gave birth to Distilleria Bertagnolli in Mezzocorona (Trento) and the production of distilled spirits of excellent quality. Through the use of discontinuous steam-powered bain-marie stills, it has specialized in the production of Grappa Trentina of refined elegance, enchanting smoothness and unmistakable fragrance, with a unique and authentic character as the territory in which it is born. The Grappa Bertagnolli is certified by the Istituto di Tutela della Grappa del Trentino and has been awarded internationally for its quality.
Today, with pride and ambition, the CEO Riccardo Ravasio, on behalf of Bertagnolli Family, continues to manage a distillery with over 150 years of history, tradition, innovation, and exceptional quality.
ITS ORIGIN DATES BACK TO 1870 WHEN THE LANDOWNER GIULIA DE KREUTZENBERG, OF AUSTRIAN ARISTOCRATIC DESCENT, MARRIED EDOARDO BERTAGNOLLI, FOREBEAR OF THE FAMILY AND HEIR TO A WELL-ESTABLISHED PHARMACEUTICAL BUSINESS IN MEZZOCORONA
The distillery is situated in Trentino, a region of northern Italy, on the eastern slopes of the Brenta Dolomites – UNESCO WorldHeritage Site, right in the heart of the Piana Rotaliana; a landscape described by Goethe as the “most beautiful vineyard in Europe”, perfectly suited for growing grapes and home to fine wines, excellent grappa, spirits and liqueurs
By using artisanal discontinuous steam alembics, for over 150 years, Distilleria Bertagnolli has been a leading producer of
award-winning grappa, even certified by the ‘Istituto Tutela Grappa del Trentino’ for its exceptional quality. This precious
inheritance has been embraced by its descendants with the same passion, skill and spirit of innovation as its founders had. To this day, the distillery is still proudly owned by the same family. To this day, with pride and relentless ambition, it continues to transmit the antique traditions of this distinctive grappa which is noble by birth but aristocratic in taste. Over 150 years of outstanding quality grappa, through five generations, with antique secrets, artistry and innovation. This is the story of the oldest family-run distillery in Trentino, which continues to evolve and redesign itself to keep up with the ever-changing times.
DISTILLERIA BERTAGNOLLI IS LOCATED IN NORTHERN ITALY, IN THE REGION TRENTINO, ON THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE BRENTA DOLOMITES – UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. IT IS SET IN THE HEART OF PIANA ROTALIANA, A LAND WHERE THE CLIMATE IS IDEAL FOR GROWING EXQUISITE AND AROMATIC GRAPES
Piana Rotaliana is a floodplain enclosed between the banks of the Adige River and the Noce Creek.
It is thanks to the continuous flooding of the past that have made the soil gravelly and rich in minerals, thanks to the
protection given by the mountains, and thanks to the continental climate with cold winters, hot summers and drastic day-night thermal excursion, the Piana Rotaliana has the ideal climatic conditions for the cultivation of high-quality vine varieties – both indigenous and imported – that make the region Trentino home of fine wines and excellent grappa. It is in this context, where sunlight alternates with mountain shadows, that Distilleria Bertagnolli produces refined and elegant grappa and spirits characterized by its enchanting softness and unmistakable fragrance, with characteristics which are unique as the terroir they are born.
DISTILLERIA BERTAGNOLLI HAS ALWAYS BEEN DISTILLING WITH DISCONTINUOUS STEAM ALEMBICS. IT IS A TRADITIONAL AND ARTISANAL CRAFT METHOD, IMPROVED BY UNIQUE TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS ABLE TO RESPECT AND ENHANCE THE POMACE
Over the past decades, Distilleria Bertagnolli has pursued the improvement of the distillation process with the introduction of the ‘Colonna di selezione e concentrazione degli alcoli Tullio Zadra’ as well as advancing in technological innovation. Today, not only the valuable expertise of oenologists and operators but even every single step of the process has been enhanced by cutting-edge technologies. The craft and slow bain-marie method allows to enhance the raw material: each alembic distils a small quantity of pomace (500/600kg) that, brought to a boil by a delicate steam water bath heating, releases the most sublime essence of the primary flavours and aromas of the grapes. The ‘Tullio Zadra column’ facilitates the cutting of the ‘heads’ (methyl alcohol) and the ‘tails’ (final vapours) within the distillation process, and improves the selection of the best aromatic steems that will define a grappa with an ever-higher quality standard, purity and fragrance. Craftsmanship and innovation with respect for tradition: discontinuous steam alembics are the beating heart of Distilleria Bertagnolli since 1870.
AS FURTHER RELIABILITY AND COMMITMENT GUARANTEE, CHARACTERIZING DISTILLERIA BERTAGNOLLI AND ITS PRODUCTS, SINCE 1870
Distinct origin. Distilleria Bertagnolli finely selects and buys red and white grape pomace – harvested fresh and moist for
distillation – from small local quality wineries situated in the surrounding area. The meticulous care of the raw material is the basis ingredients that allow the distillation of ‘pure heart’ distinguished grappa that enhance and preserve the aromatic
components of the single grape variety. Certified quality. The Bertagnolli Grappa bear the origin mark of the ‘Istituto Tutela
Grappa del Trentino’, authority for the certification of origin, quality and distinction of the distilled spirits produced in the
region Trentino. This origin mark guarantees the respect of a perfect distillation process, encoded organoleptic characteristics, and compliance with current legislation. Historically and internationally renowned excellence and awards. In 1886, Distilleria Bertagnolli earned the title of the ‘Official Supplier of the Royal Habsburg Family’. It was then given the AEO status (Authorized Economic Operator) by ‘Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli’. In addition, every year, Bertagnolli products receive countless Medals for outstanding quality at major international Awards. Bertagnolli’s distilled spirits have persisted over time to reveal the passion and the knowledge of the oldest family-run distillery in Trentino.