An ancient monastery, a panoramic view of the UNESCO-listed hills, and a 175-year-old distilling tradition. These are the ingredients of the "cocktail" served by Mazzetti d’Altavilla on Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th atop the hill of Altavilla Monferrato (AL), where the reopening of hospitality coincides with the first weekend of the 2021 edition of Cantine Aperte (Open, an event promoted by the Movimento Turismo del Vino (Wine Tourism Movement ), back in action after last year's hiatus. At the grappa shop on Viale Unità d'Italia 2, the event will be an excellent opportunity to begin the celebrations of 175 years of passion for the flagship distillate, a special anniversary to be celebrated with a renewed welcome for grappa lovers. Two days of guided tours await, offering an in-depth insight into the world of locally sourced spirits, from the materia prima to the tasting drop. The motto is "awareness": small groups will be guided through the various production areas, from the pomace yard to the Distillery, from the Barrique Cellar to the Galleria della Grappa, to discover the secrets of a centuries-old art that looks confidently to the future. The Open Cellars program at Mazzetti d’Altavilla includes the opening of the premises on Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. It is possible to sign up for up to five guided tours (with limited numbers on each day) departing at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 5:00 pm. The innovative format of the guided tastings will allow the public to sample locally sourced spirits along the route outside the Grappa Store , using a personalized glass so they can enjoy their tastings safely and keep a useful tool for future occasions. Tours are required and can be booked by calling 0142 926147, subject to the maximum number of participants allowed for each visit. Art and the local area will also be on display: during the Cantine Aperte weekend, the Votive Chapel "La Rotonda". This circular religious building, dedicated to Santa Maria Ausiliatrice and dating back to 1808, houses a large stone cross in its basement, illuminated for an even more evocative effect. The church is located in the Historic Park of the ancient Monastery, now home to the Distillery. A relaxation area will be set up there, as well as the photography exhibition "Monferrato in the Spirit," dedicated to the tourist attractions in this corner of Monferrato. During the event, the Grappa Store will be open for purchases, including gift packages, and to view the latest from the world of Mazzetti. "During this period of 'stop and go'," comment Chiara, Silvia and Elisa Belvedere Mazzetti, aka the seventh generation of Mazzetti d’Altavilla , "we have invested in creativity and refinement: from the new '@Home' line with numerous accessories to make conviviality in our homes more beautiful and enjoyable, to new mixology solutions for summer, with our Gin paired with tonics particularly suited to enhancing the intense Piedmontese botanicals. Our commitment is to restart even more from excellence and beauty, always with an eye for originality."
Cantine Aperte will then offer an encore on the weekend of June 19th and 20th: the program on that weekend will be unchanged with the addition of the opportunity to book the special tasting menu offered by the internal restaurant “Materia Prima” (which will reopen from June 4th) with the possibility of sensory pairings with spirits by Mazzetti d’Altavilla.
Info: Tel. 0142 926147, events@mazzetti.it, www.mazzetti.it
