The 2022 release will be accompanied by a documentary film and original illustrations
With the launch of Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2022, Grattamacco (link) celebrates four decades of its flagship wine – the result of a pioneering vision and a style that has remained remarkably true to itself. A wine rooted in certified organic viticulture, essentialist winemaking, and the inclusion of Sangiovese in the blend – a distinctive and unconventional direction within the Bolgheri appellation.
A historic signature of Bolgheri
Grattamacco was the second winery established in Bolgheri, in 1977, even before the appellation itself was created. The very first vintage, 1982, was classified as Vino da Tavola: a wine released when the wine geography of the area was still taking shape. With the advent of the DOC, the label naturally found its place in Bolgheri Superiore, without ever abandoning the distinctive style that makes Grattamacco wines instantly recognizable.
An anniversary told through images
To celebrate the 40th harvest, Grattamacco has produced a documentary directed by Giuseppe Tufarulo (link) – author of works for Sky Arte and Prime Video, and director of the short film Baradar, which was selected at numerous international festivals and nominated for the 2020 David di Donatello.
Produced by TapelessFilm (link) and written by Gabriele Scotti (link), the film retraces the history of the estate and its territory through a collective narrative entrusted to the voices that shaped its pioneering imprint and evolution: Piermario Meletti Cavallari, Claudio Tipa, and Luca Marrone, with contributions from Attilio Scienza and Maurizio Castelli.
The celebrations are also marked by a limited series of four original illustrations by New York artist Tug Rice (link), who has interpreted the estate’s visual identity and history with his iconic, elegant narrative style.
Vintage 2022: balance, freshness, identity
The 2022 season was among the most complex and unpredictable in recent memory. Until mid-May, temperatures remained low, leading to gradual vegetative development. From the second half of the month, however, sharp increases in heat, combined with humid winds, accelerated growth and overturned the slow rhythm of spring.
Rainfall between mid-August and early September proved decisive: it prevented ripening from stalling and restored balance to the clusters. Harvest began slightly earlier than usual on August 25 and continued until September 24 – fast-paced in the early days, then slower just ahead of heavier rains.
In yet another year marked by climatic and environmental challenges, the team’s dedication led to a remarkable result: a rare harmony of structure and freshness, with the vibrant tension that defines the Grattamacco style.
Composition and winemaking
Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2022 is produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese – a blend that defies convention in Bolgheri, marked by freshness, verticality, and vibrant flavor energy. The vineyards, among the oldest in the area, grow on soils of white clays and calcareous-marl flysch (link), and have been farmed organically since 1997.
In the cellar, the approach has always been essential: spontaneous fermentations in open truncated-cone oak vats, with no temperature control, manual punch-downs, and slow macerations. The wine matures for at least 18 months in French oak barriques, followed by extended aging in bottle.
The result is a wine with a saline imprint and ultra-fine tannins, layered with complex Mediterranean aromatics and a vibrant structure that is deeply reflective of its origins.
