Podere Grattamacco – ColleMassari is an organic estate in Castagneto Carducci in the Bolgheri DOC region on the ‘Etruscan coast or Costa degli Etruschi in the Tuscany region of Italy. The name Grattamacco recalls the early mining activities of the region and derives from ‘gratta’ or scrape and ‘macco’ which refers iron ore pieces. Grattamacco was founded in 1977 by Piermario Meletti Cavalleri from Bergamo in ‘the industrial north,’ (Nicolas Belfrage: 2001, p.398) and Paola Cavallari. Their vineyards were the second such to be planted in Bolgheri, after Sassicaia. Their consultant was Maurizio Castelli. Piermario and Paola subsequently rented, then sold, their vineyards and winery to Claudio Tipa, who already owned the ColleMassari vineyard in the Montecucco DOC, also in Tuscany.

Owner: Claudio Tipa. See also his other Tuscan estates, ColleMassari in Montecucco and Poggio di Sotto in Montalcino.

Terroir: The Grattamacco estate is situated on top of a hill facing the Tyrrhenian sea between Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheri at 100 m asl. The remaining area is forest and borders into a vast area of woodlands covering some 1,600 hectares. Sandy terrain over calcareous marl.

Vineyards: 27ha (2017).

Organic certification: 2007 First vintage with full organic certification for the entire (27ha) vineyard. | 2017 Still certified organic for 27ha.

Winery: The barrel cellar has six windows which open out on the bare earth, so no artificial air conditioning is needed. Air circulates via a fan to prevent mould from developing. Wooden vats, rather than stainless steel. There is a stained glass window in blue, red and yellow at the cellar’s entrance designed by Michael Zyw.

White wines

Bolgheri Bianco, Grattamacco: 100% Vermentino. This was initially made in part with Sauvignon Blanc (plus it seems Trebbiano and Malvasia) but this ripened too quickly. Vermentino ripens later and does not suffer so much from drought. | 2002 Vermentino. 8,000 bottles. Well made, integrated oak from part barrel fermentation, plenty of freshness and body at the San Guido restaurant in Bolgheri, Tue 22 Feb 2005.

Red wines

Bolgheri Rosso DOC, Grattamacco: From young vines.

Bolgheri Rosso Superiore, Grattamacco: 2001 Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Sangiovese. 35,000 bottles.

Bolgheri Rosso Superiore, L’Alberello: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. From 2ha planted in the ‘settonce’ system, with vines placed the same distance apart with tight racing meaning all the work is done by hand. Head-trained, spur pruned. Clay-limestone soils. Fermented in open-topped wooden vats. Barrel aged.

Aleatico:

Other activities: Grappa. Olio extra vergine d’oliva.

Contact

Grattamacco

Loc. Grattamacco, 129

I-57022 Castagneto Carducci (LI), Italy

Tel+39 0565.763840 or +39 0565.765069 | Website: www.collimassariwines.it/en

Sales: Decorum Vintners, Berry Bros & Rudd, Justerini & Brooks (UK).