Spirits · Ghemme, Piedmont
Distillerie Francoli
A Piedmont family distillery making grappa from local Nebbiolo pomace since 1951.
- Founded
- 1951
- Founded by
- Luigi Francoli and his brothers
- Based in
- Ghemme, Piedmont
Making it since
1951
Their story
Luigi Francoli grew up in Campodolcino, a village in the Italian Alps. In 1951 he moved to Ghemme, in northern Piedmont, and rented a small distillery near the train station. A few years later he and his four brothers bought their first still.
The business moved to a purpose-built site outside town in 1964 and kept growing, adding liqueurs in the 1980s and the premium Luigi Francoli grappa line in 1999. The family also planted Nebbiolo vineyards and makes wine under the Torraccia del Piantavigna name. Luigi's son Alessandro now leads the company.
How it's made
Francoli distills fresh grape pomace from local wineries. The distillery moved from pot stills to continuous distillation in 1975 to work with fresher pomace, and a still installed in 1981 is still in use; its Valdotaine distillery in the Aosta Valley makes small batches in copper pot stills.
Why we carry them
Francoli shows how smooth grappa can be when it is made from good, fresh Nebbiolo pomace. We like it as an introduction for people who think grappa has to be harsh.
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