Paolo
Marolo is the inspired orchestrator of grappa distillation, arranging harmonies
of aroma and flavor through a sensitive balancing of technique and passion.
Using his nose, his hands and his palate, he creates elegant variations on the
theme of grappa, ensuring that each bottling-- from each year's harvests of
grapes from various renowned wine regions of italy--is original and unique.
The grappas of Paolo Marolo are essentially the fruit of his great love for
his work as a "Mestro Grappaiolo".
Marolo's
first grappas were born in 1977 from the desire to transform a traditional,
often rustic product into an excellent example of the distiller's art. From
that time on, he has consistently worked with the pomaces of noble grape varieties
to make spirits that exalt the special qualities of each variety. Marolo's distillery
is not automated, and so he attentively surveys every phase of the distillation
process, his meticulous craftsmanship adapting knowingly to the various characteristics
of the pomaces that are used. The results bear witness to Paolo Marolo's comprehension
of the workings of nature, and to his ability, through the skillful creation
of these fine spirits, to bring out the personalities of the grapes in their
fullest expression.
Marolo's
Santa Teresa distillery works closely with wineries in Various regions to ensure
that only the freshest pomace is used. Two small discontinuous 'bain marie"
stills are employed, one for white wine pomace and the other for the red wine
pomace. This method of production means that Santa Teresa cannot distill large
quantities of spirits, but it allows Marolo to capture optimally the diverse
and well-defined characteristics of excellent raw materials he uses.
Through long
and careful aging in barrels of acacia and oak, Marolo's Barolo grappa acquires
the elegance in its aromas and amber color that make it a precious gem of the
distillery's production.
Today the
Santa Teresa distillery is testimony to Paolo Marolo's ability to create an
artful fusion of artisanal, traditional techniques with modern equipement. Marolo's
vision also means giving his beautifully fashioned grappas the benefit of a
marketing approach that reflects a perspective of looking ahead to a future
of grappa-making that will be efficient and dynamic.
Marrying tradition and modernity, Marolo's constant search for new images to
reflect the character of his grappas led to the choice of maestro Gianni Gallo
as designer of the labels. The exquisite images, which artfully complement the
traditional classic shape of the bottles retained by Marolo, have done their
part toward contributing to the history of the distillery.