On October 18th 2006, at Gramercy Tavern Restaurant (42 E. 20th Street) in Manhattan, there was the lunch and tasting of a leading winery in Tuscany: Il Molino di Grace, located in the heart of Chianti Classico, above the historic Panzano-Radda road. It was founded by Frank Grace, an American born, who in 1998 purchased the 10th century Villa Castagnoli in Panzano in Chianti with 28 hectares of Tuscan soil, out of which 2.5 hectares were vineyards. Then Gerhard Hirmer who shared Frank Grace's passion for art and wine, joined in and 3.5 hectares were added, for a total of 6 hectares. This year another estate had been purchased bringing the total amount of hectares of vineyards to 45 in production. Together they decided to add a talented enologist – Franco Bernabei – whose past success were a boost in taking the opportunity to create a truly unique Chianti experience.
All the vineyards are located between 250 and 400 m.a.s.l., are planted with a density of 5000 vines per hectare, producing per hectare 22 hl for Gratius, 35 hl for Il Margone, 40 hl for the Riserva and 45 hl for the Chianti Classico, well below the official allowance of 50. The stony, limey soil and great exposure maximise the maturation phase of the Sangiovese, which Bernabei enhance further in the winemaking process.
The lunch started with the Chianti Classico Docg 2003 made of 90% sangiovese and 10% other red varietals, continuing with the Chianti Classico Docg Riserva 2001 made of 90% sangiovese and 10% other red varietals and the Chianti Classico Riserva Il Margone 2001 made of 94% sangiovese and 6% between merlot and cabernet with aging and maturation in French oak barrels. The lunched ended with the award winner super-tuscan Gratius 2003 made of 100% sangiovese.
The winery also has a great modern art collection starting with the The Grape Bearers by Sylvester Anthony welcoming you at the entrance, to the two serene wooden angels by Dotlef Schultz watch over the traditional stone façade of the cellar.
