Poli: Family spirit
GioBatta was our great-grandfather’s name. He used to make straw hat, quite a flourishing trade in those days, but his true passion was Grappa. He built a small distiller, mounted on a cart, and went around from house to house distilling marc. This is how our Grappa-making story began, back in 1898.
Our grandfather Giovanni inherited his father’s passion and built a distillation plant by appropriately modifying a wood-fired steam engine. He was a true patriarch. A man of great moral principles (he would always say “Vendi caro ma pesa giusto!“ i.e. Sell dear, but for the right weight!) but also enlightened and progressive. He was the first person in the area to own a car and have a telephone.
In 1956 our father, Toni Poli, modified the original distillation plant which we still use today. In his hands I saw Grappa being transformed – like a chrysalis into a magnificent butterfly. He was a man of deep humanity, too noble to be a good businessman.
And finally the three of us, Jacopo, Barbara and Andrea, to carry on a tradition and a goal: to let understand and appreciate the hard work, tenacity, but above all the passion that goes into a distillate. A great passion for our art and world, without which nothing would ever be possible.
The Distillery
Established in 1898, Poli Distillerie is an artisan-type company owned by the Poli family and located in Schiavon, near Bassano del Grappa, in the heart of Veneto, the most renowned region in Italy for Grappa production.
The Stills
Poli Distillerie operates with three distillation plants: the 12 knights, an old still entirely in copper, and one of the very few remaining, comprising 12 discontinuous-cycle flowing steam pot stills, ideal for distilling marc from red grapes.
Athanor, a classic double-boiler system installed in 2001, used to distil grapes, fruit and wine.
Crysopea, a double-boiler vacuum system installed in 2009 after years of research, used to distil marc from white grapes; it is considered to be the most innovative plant for making Grappa in operation today.
The Products
Poli distils marc (obtaining young, aromatic, aged and flavoured Grappas), grapes, wine and fruit.
Poli Grappa Museum
The Poli family invites you to visit the two sites of the Poli Grappa Museum: in Bassano del Grappa, in a 15th century building opposite the historic Ponte Vecchio, the history of Grappa is presented in a suggestive area through a brief but comprehensive educational tour. In Schiavon, in an old building located next to the distillery, you can learn more about the most important Italian distillate and also admire a collection of about 1500 historic Grappas coming from about 400 distilleries.
