Hallgarten & Novum has added two new Italian producers to its portfolio: Querciabella from Chianti Classico and Elio Grasso from Monforte d’Alba in Piedmont. 

Querciabella was founded in 1974 and is one of Chianti Classico’s most respected estates, according to Hallgarten. 

The estate has been farming organically since 1988 and has remained in the family since its formation. It is presently led by Mita Castiglioni, the eldest daughter of the founder. 

Elio Grasso began vinifying and bottling wines under its own name in 1978, moving away from the previous bulk grape sales that had until then defined the business. 

The estate comprises 42ha, of which 18 are under vine. Like Querciabella, the winery remains family run by Elio, his wife Marina and their son Gianluca, among others. 

Wines from both estates will be available exclusively through Hallgarten in the UK in both the on-trade and retail sectors. The wines will also be offered to private customers through Lay & Wheeler and Lay & Wheeler Trading. 

Andrew Shaw, group buying director at Hallgarten, commented: “Querciabella and Elio Grasso are producers we have admired for many years. Welcoming them into the Hallgarten portfolio allows us to further strengthen our representation of two of Italy’s most iconic regions.” 

Mita Castiglioni, owner of Querciabella, added: “The launch next year of our Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2021 UGAs marks a defining moment in this evolution. These wines express a new level of precision and territorial clarity, reinforcing Chianti Classico’s position within the fine wine world. I very much look forward to sharing this milestone with the UK market.” 

Meanwhile, Will Winterton, buying director of Italy at Hallgarten, explained: “Chianti Classico is an especially dynamic region right now, with renewed focus on terroir, the Gran Selezione category and the introduction of UGAs. Querciabella is at the forefront of this movement. Meanwhile, Elio  Grasso stands among the most respected names in Barolo, renowned for heritage, craftsmanship and the consistent age-worthiness of its wines.”