Episode 028 | Il Molino di Grace - With Iacopo Morganti: Where wine meets art and character
Iacopo Morganti from the Il Molino di Grace winery
If wine has an attitude, then it can be seen - and tasted - at Il Molino di Grace. In the latest episode of the Chianti Classico for the ear podcast, Iacopo Morganti, who runs the winery, talks about one of the most "artistic" wineries in Chianti Classico. He talks about sustainability, terroir and art, as well as the vision of a man without whom none of this would exist: Frank Grace.
From a vacation in Tuscany to founding a winery: The vision of Frank Grace
It all began with a vacation - and a man with vision. At the end of the 1990s, Frank Grace, an American entrepreneur, and his wife discover the estate with the old mill, the "Molino", in the south of Panzano in Chianti. He falls in love. With the landscape, the vines, the opportunities.
But unlike many others, he doesn't stop dreaming, he invests. In 1998, construction work began on the new wine cellar. The 2000 vintage marked the beginning of the history of Il Molino di Grace, an organic winery that is now known for its independent, high-quality Chianti Classico.
The name says it all: "Molino" stands for the historic windmill on the site, "Grace" is a tribute to the founder. The grape carrier sculpture, the iconic trademark of the winery, was created by German artist Sylvester Antony on behalf of Frank Grace and is still used today in the logo, labels and driveway.
The grape bearers of Il Molino di Grace
Iacopo Morganti: The man behind the wines
Iacopo Morganti has been running the business for over eleven years. He not only brings experience from other top wineries, but also a clear signature: precise work in the cellar, a fine understanding of the terroir and a deep connection with the Sangiovese grape variety.
In the podcast, Iacopo enthusiastically explains how the winery has developed in close collaboration with the Grace family. Frank Grace may be the founder, but further development is a team effort. Iacopo is the one who is out in the vines every day, in the cellar and helping to select the best barrels.
Organic with depth - and attitude
Iacopo emphasizes that "organic" is not a marketing term at Il Molino di Grace, but a conviction. The winery has been certified organic since 2010, but the sustainable mindset was there from the very beginning - inspired by Frank Grace's desire to treat the land with respect.
No herbicides are used, the soil is only worked selectively, the vines are harvested by hand and pests are controlled naturally (keyword: sexual confusion). Even the prunings from the vines are used as a source of energy. The result is a largely energy self-sufficient winery that works with nature, not against it.
The wines - an expression of origin
Of course, the podcast is also about the heart of the matter, the wines.
The Chianti Classico DOCG is a fresh, authentic calling card - clear, juicy and structured.
The Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG builds on this: It is deeper, more mature and more exciting.
And then there is Il Margone, a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG made from grapes from the estate's best vineyards. A powerful, elegant Sangiovese that impressively demonstrates the potential of Panzano in Chianti.
Another exciting wine is the Gratius, a Toscana Rosso IGT, a "Super Tuscan" that is not officially a Chianti Classico, but could easily be a Chianti Gran Selezione in terms of style. As an IGT, it is a "free wine" that also reflects the creative spirit of Frank Grace.
Vintage 2023 - Quality despite a small yield
The podcast also takes a look at the present: 2023 was a difficult year with massive crop failures - there were around 70% fewer grapes than usual. And yet Iacopo says: "What we have is fantastic." The concentration, depth and balance of the few barrels from 2023 give hope for a small but fine vintage.
What remains: A winery with soul
What makes this podcast so special is Iacopo Morganti's honest and down-to-earth tone. He is not a showman, but a man who knows what he is talking about and who mentions Frank Grace with great respect, whose vision still shapes him today.
Il Molino di Grace is more than just an organic winery. It is a place where art, nature, origin and people come together - in the middle of Panzano in Chianti, where Sangiovese shows its best side.
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