Distillery
Nardini (Ditta Bortolo Nardini)
Historic Italian distillery founded in 1779 in Bassano del Grappa, best known for grappa and a range of traditional liqueurs and aperitifs such as amaro, bitter and Acqua di Cedro.
- Bassano del Grappa · Veneto · Italy
- Since 1779
- 35 products
The story
Production began in 1779 when Bortolo Nardini opened his grapperia at the entrance of the Ponte Vecchio in Bassano del Grappa. The company has remained family-run for generations and has expanded its production facilities over the years (including the Monastier plant) while preserving the historic headquarters and the Grapperia on the bridge. For its 225th anniversary the 'Le Bolle' complex, an architectural and research center designed by Massimiliano Fuksas, was created. Nardini is a member of Les Hénokiens, the club of bicentenary family companies.
Production philosophy
Enhance local tradition and raw materials (selected vinacce), combine family continuity with research and the promotion of grappa and Italian liqueur culture, maintaining a balance between artisanal production and modernization of facilities.
Territory
Bassano del Grappa (Province of Vicenza), Veneto. The vinacce used come from foothill areas of the North-East (Veneto and Friuli) and production is strongly linked to local tradition.
Awards and recognition
Recent recognitions include the Grappa Trophy IWSC 2021 for Grappa Extrafina (International Wine & Spirit Competition), medals at Alambicco d'Oro and awards at the Bartender Spirits Awards (mentioned for recent editions).
Production method
Production based on the distillation of vinacce (pomace). It combines batch/distillation in discontinuous stills (used in the historic Bassano site for the most traditional productions) with column/continuous plants for larger volumes (Monastier). The company also operates laboratories and a visitors/research centre.
Distillation
Distillation of vinacce with mixed practices: discontinuous/batch distillation (historically) and use of column/continuous plants at external sites; use of reduced-pressure techniques to preserve aromas (technical details vary by product).
Ageing
For Riserva grappas, aging in wood is practiced; there are references labeled Riserva with multi-year maturations (known examples: 3, 5, 7, 15, 22 years), details are specific to each product.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Bassano del Grappa
- Categories
- historic grappa distillery
- pomace spirits (grappa)
- traditional Venetian liqueurs
- amaros and aperitifs
- bitters and chinati
- brandy and aged eaux-de-vie
- bicentenary family company
- Raw materials
- vinacce (pomace) - selected from Veneto and Friuli
- herbs and spices for infusions and amaros
- cedro (for Acqua di Cedro)
- roots and botanicals such as gentian (for some infusions)
- Representative products
- Grappa Extrafina Selezione Bortolo Nardini
- Grappa Riserva (e.g. Riserva 3, 5, 7 years and Single Cask 22 years)
- Amaro Nardini
- Amaro Rabarbaro Nardini
- Acqua di Cedro (Liquore)
- Bitter Nardini
- Brandy Nardini
- Mezzo e Mezzo (pre-mixed aperitif)
What makes it distinctive
- Founded in 1779 by Bortolo Nardini: the oldest distillery in Italy still in operation.
- Historic grapperia on the Ponte Vecchio in Bassano del Grappa, a symbolic site and tasting/retail point.
- The 'Bolle' complex designed by Massimiliano Fuksas (inaugurated for the 225th anniversary) houses a research centre, auditorium and exhibition spaces.
- Member of Les Hénokiens (family companies with over 200 years of history).
- Extensive range: unaged and aged grappas, amaros, bitters, liqueurs (e.g. Acqua di Cedro), aperitifs and brandy.