Nardini Distillery (Grapperia Nardini)
The bar at Ponte Vecchio 2 has barely moved since Bortolo Nardini set up here in 1779, at the eastern foot of Bassano's covered wooden bridge. Bargemen used to arrive by water, tie up beneath the bridge, climb through a narrow tunnel and drink grappa before continuing down the Brenta to Venice. The tunnel is gone, but the grapperia is still there — preserved in its original state, listed among Italy's historical places, and still pouring.
Nardini is Italy's oldest distillery, and the gap between that fact and the experience of sitting at this bar with a Mezzoemezzo — the local rhubarb-and-citrus aperitif — is surprisingly small. Four kilometres away, the modern distillery wears a very different face: two glass bubbles by architect Massimiliano Fuksas, commissioned for the 225th anniversary in 2004.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to split their visit deliberately — a late-afternoon drink at the Grapperia first, watching the bridge traffic, then booking the Bolle tour on a separate day. The tasting at the end of the Fuksas tour covers a wider range of products than the bar menu, which makes the two visits genuinely different rather than repetitive.
The story behind Nardini Distillery (Grapperia Nardini)
In April 1779, Bortolo Nardini bought what had been a silk mill at the eastern entrance to Bassano's Ponte Vecchio and turned it into a grapperia and distillery. The location was deliberate: bargemen working the Brenta river came ashore here, and a dock beneath the bridge let them reach the tavern through a tunnel before carrying on to Venice.
By 1860, Bortolo's grandson was among the first producers in Italy to introduce steam distillation. The family relocated their production facilities progressively — to just outside the old city walls in 1929, then to the current site in 1964, acquiring and modernising the Monastier Distillery in 1995. For the 225th anniversary in 2004, they commissioned architect Massimiliano Fuksas to design the Bolle structure: two glass spheres housing offices and an R&D centre. The sixth generation — Giuseppe, his daughter Cristina, and three cousins — runs the company today.
Good to know
The Grapperia is walk-in, but hours shift seasonally — check the website before you go. The Bolle visitor centre is groups-only (minimum 15, maximum 50), by appointment Monday to Friday; contact Marta Lazzarin at bolle@nardini.it. The two sites are 4km apart — take a taxi between them. Note several flights of stairs at Bolle.
Where is Nardini Distillery (Grapperia Nardini)?
Location
- In Bassano del Grappa
- 45.7671, 11.7345
- Open in Google Maps
Rating
4.7 ★ · 1,554 Google reviews
More tickets & tours for Nardini Distillery (Grapperia Nardini)
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Nardini Distillery (Grapperia Nardini)
What a wonderful experience! The tour and premium grappa tasting led by Nicole were exceptional. So much knowledge, energy, fun conversation! The drinks at the bar are special too - you can take them out in paper cups and drink on the bridge - from Mezzo aperitivo to high end 20year old grappa... I even met the owner by chance and had a wonderful educated conversarion! Also, met a chef of the neighboring restaurant and had an absolutely delightful dinner later. Thanks to everyone on the bar staff for their knowledge and patience. I hope 'Woodford' lived to your expectations :-)
I went in knowing nothing about Grappa. The staff is so friendly and helpful, they gave me suggestions on what to drink. I test a few and all are very very good. Everyone should try once.
Went on tour on tuesday. It was great experience, both my husband I loved it. Tour is definitely worth to do it, we learned a lot about Nardini family as well as the history of grappa.
Nicole is an excellent guide. She loves her job. We enjoyed the tour. Also the grappa tasting was new for us, but we loved it
Wow! Nicole was a fantastic guide! We had a great experience as a couple, the tour was very informative, with some very cool History. From Napoleon to the Second World War, to the founders' business innovations, Nardini has a breadth of history to explore. But we know we’re all really interested in the Grappa! I’m a big fan of Grappa, I collect it everywhere I travel in Italy. Nardini has been on my bucket list for years, and it did not disappoint. The Grappa was excellent, the location and history are magical, the tour and tasting exceeded my expectations!
More of Bassano del Grappa
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Bassano del Grappa →More attractions in Bassano del Grappa
All of Bassano del Grappa →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.