Poli Distillery

History

Poli Distillerie was founded in 1898 by GioBatta Poli and has been in the Poli family’s hands for more than a century. The family describes their work with words such as honor, love of craftsmanship, and the culture surrounding grappa. The distillery is located in Schiavon near Bassano del Grappa and Vicenza, and Poli Museo della Grappa lies both in Bassano and Schiavon — two places where history and production meet. According to Poli’s site, Poli is the only Italian distiller selected by Lonely Planet among the world's 10 craft distilleries worth visiting.

125 years of Poli Distillerie and 30 years of Poli Museo della Grappa mark two important milestones in the company’s history. The Poli family emphasizes values such as family, craftsmanship, and culture — and there is a strong belief in spirit and tradition behind their work.

The history is also told through the cellars in Schiavon and Bassano del Grappa: Cantina degli Eroi (Heroes’ Cellar) is the oldest underground cellar in the distillery and houses about 4,000 casks for natural aging of wine and grape brandies. The name 'Heroes’ Share' is used to describe the annual evaporation that occurs in the casks.

Production

Poli Distillerie operates with a combination of three different alembics, working in an uninterrupted cycle and differing in construction and heating principle. There are two bain-marie alembics called Athanor and Crysopea (Crysopea is a vacuum bain-marie alembic), as well as the oldest copper-alembic with steam boilers (the oldest 'Ancient Steam Alembic'). Crysopea enables a more delicate distillate with fruity and floral notes that would otherwise be lost at high heat. Athanor is a more traditional bain-marie alembic for grapes, fruit and wine and allows a gentle and harmonious heating. The oldest steam alembic consists of 12 pots connected to three distillation columns and has been in use for decades. These pots were installed in different eras (from the 1920s to 1983), and each one has its own personality.

Poli Distillerie uses vinaccia (grape skins and seeds) as the raw material, harvested from Bassano del Grappa and the surrounding hills in Marostica and Breganze. The distillation takes place in a controlled, discontinuous system to preserve the character and elegance of the grappa. The company operates with five core principles: fresh raw material of high quality, distill immediately, use the historical alambik correctly, work consistently and with passion, and respect the distillate and the consumer.

In addition, Poli Distillerie stores its wines and grappas in the studied 'Heroes' Cellar' consisting of around 4,000 casks – small casks between 225 and 500 liters, which provide intense contact between wood and distillate and develop a golden color and soft, complex aromas. About 3% of the spirit evaporates annually, a share they call 'the Heroes’ share'.

Products

Poli Distillerie produces a wide range of grappas and spirits, including: Amore di Settembre, Amore di Dicembre, Bassano Classica, Bassano 24 Carati Oro, Cleopatra Moscato Oro, Cleopatra Amarone Oro, Sarpa (and Sarpa Oro), Maria (bio), UvaViva Italiana, UvaViva Rossa, Athanor (brand y), Marconi-series (46, 44, 42, 21), Arzente, PO’ di Poli Morbida/Aromatica/Secca/Elegante, and other infusions and liqueurs. Notably two whisky products: Conclave and Segretario di Stato. Selected products and series also include La Première (Grappa di Bolgheri Sassicaia), Poli Barrique (solera in the family), the Cleopatra lines and the Bassano line.

There are also a number of collaborations and additions such as 'La Première' (a grappa from wine of Château Pauillac in France) and various infusion products such as Airone Rosso and Vaca Mora.

Visits and Experiences

Poli offers various experiences called Le Esperienze Poli:

• Esperienza Vetro (Glass Experience): a walk through the distillery with tastings, about 1 hour, 10 euros per person (under 18 free).

• Esperienza Rame (Copper Experience): guided tour of the distillery including tastings, about 2 hours, 20 euros per person (under 18 free).

• Esperienza Legno (Wood Experience): guided museum and distillery with a tasting of aged grappa directly from wooden casks, about 3 hours, 35 euros per person (under 18 free).

The experiences take place in Schiavon, at Poli Distillerie and Poli Museo della Grappa, which also offer conference and event facilities. There is free parking and fully accessible facilities. Visitors can also visit Poli Museum in Bassano del Grappa, where there are tickets to taste and buy Poli products in a showroom.

Philosophy

Poli Distillerie runs its business based on five core principles: choose fresh raw materials, distill immediately, use the historical alambik correctly, operate with consistency and passion, and respect the distillate and the consumer. This philosophy weaves love of craftsmanship and the region's vineyards with a long-term approach to tradition and innovation. Poli also emphasizes values such as family, craftsmanship, and culture in their marketing materials and describes a historical commitment to preserving and sharing grappa culture through museums and experiences.