Distilleria Gualco Open House
The open day at the historic grappa distillery in Silvano d'Orba
About Distilleria Open House
A grappa tradition since 1870
The Distilleria Gualco Open House is the annual open day of one of the oldest distilleries in Piedmont, located in the heart of Silvano d'Orba, a small village in the Province of Alessandria nestled in the Monferrato hills, halfway between the Piedmontese wine lands and the mountains separating Piedmont from Liguria. Founded in 1870 by local cooper Paolo Gualco, the distillery is now run by the Soldatini family—Giorgio, Marcella, and Alessandro—who have continued the production of grappa for six generations using the traditional Piedmontese bain-marie still.
What to expect during the open day
For an entire weekend in November, the distillery throws its doors open to enthusiasts and the curious alike. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the entire process that transforms pomace into grappa: you can observe, touch, and smell the pomace, watch the distillation process in action, and take a guided tour of the evocative 19th-century aging cellar, where the grappa rests in barrels.
- Guided tours of the cellar and the distillation plant
- Live pomace distillation with the bain-marie still
- Tastings of grappas, liqueurs, vermouths, and local wines
- Games and challenges to test your olfactory and tasting skills
- Local gastronomic specialties
Recognized excellence
Distilleria Gualco is not just about history: every year, it introduces new products and collects international awards, including several medals at the Berlin Craft Spirits Award. Their line of unfiltered organic grappa, made from certified local organic pomace, is particularly acclaimed. The company has also been officially recognized as a Historic Brand of National Interest.
Why it's worth the trip
The Distilleria Gualco Open House is much more than a corporate visit; it is a local celebration that draws visitors from across the Province of Alessandria and beyond. Between the warmth of the family welcome, the aromas of distillation, and the flavors of Monferrato, it is the best way to understand why Silvano d'Orba is known as the village of grappa.
Distilleria Open House — edition 2026
L'edizione 2026 di Distilleria Gualco Aperta festeggia un traguardo importante: la 30ª edizione dell'open day, confermata per sabato 7 e domenica 8 novembre 2026. Come da tradizione, la distilleria di Silvano d'Orba aprirà le sue porte per far scoprire l'intero processo di produzione della grappa con l'alambicco a bagnomaria alla piemontese, le visite guidate alla cantina ottocentesca e le degustazioni di grappe, liquori e vermouth.
Il programma dettagliato della giornata sarà annunciato dalla distilleria nelle settimane precedenti l'evento.
Programme Distilleria Open House 2026
Il programma dettagliato della 30ª edizione sarà pubblicato dalla Distilleria Gualco nelle settimane che precedono l'evento.
Sulla base delle edizioni passate, la giornata prevede di norma: apertura al mattino, visite guidate a turni alla cantina d'invecchiamento e all'impianto di distillazione, osservazione dal vivo della distillazione delle vinacce, degustazioni di grappe, liquori, vermouth e vini del territorio, oltre a giochi e prove olfattive e di degustazione.
Highlights Distilleria Open House 2026
Edizione speciale per i 30 anni dell'open day. Distillazione dal vivo con l'alambicco a bagnomaria alla piemontese e degustazione delle grappe della casa, comprese le riserve invecchiate.
Prices Distilleria Open House 2026
Practical information — Distilleria Open House
How to get there
Distilleria Gualco is located at Via XX Settembre 9 in Silvano d'Orba (AL), in the Monferrato hills. By car, it is easily accessible from the A26 motorway (Ovada exit) or the A21; the village is about 25 km from Alessandria and 90 km from Turin. The nearest train station is in Ovada, just a few kilometers away.
Hours and admission
Admission to the open day is free. Guided tours are organized in shifts (previously every 40 minutes) during opening hours. For tastings and updated details, it is recommended to contact the distillery at +39 0143 841113.
Tip
Wear comfortable shoes and arrive a little early: the event is very popular and tour slots can fill up quickly.
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Where does it take place — Distilleria Open House
Distilleria Gualco
Via XX Settembre 9, 15060 Silvano d'Orba