February 20, 2025 – Distilleria Gualco is registered in the Register of Historical Trademarks of National Interest by decree of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. A prestigious achievement that rewards the company's long history and family tradition, founded in 1870, and its contribution to the Italian cultural heritage.
Grappa, the art of distillation, and the production of liqueurs are indeed an integral part of Italian artisanal knowledge, recognized and appreciated worldwide.
Alessandro and Giorgio Soldatini, fifth and sixth generation of this family tradition, dedicate this important recognition to those who preceded them: to their grandmother Susanna Gualco, owner of Distilleria Gualco Bartolomeo from 1971 to 2001, to their cousin Benito Gualco, owner of Distilleria Gualco Matteo in the 70s and 80s, to their great-grandfather Duilio Gualco, to their great-uncle Bartolomeo, to the founder Paolo, and to all those who have contributed in 155 years of history to the success of the brand.
This recognition not only rewards the history of Distilleria Gualco, but also represents an important tool for brand enhancement. The use of the official logo of Historical Trademarks of National Interest increases the company's visibility and prestige, guaranteeing consumers the authenticity and quality of the products. Furthermore, registration in the Register offers opportunities for promotion and participation in initiatives dedicated to Italian historical companies.
The Piedmont region wished to recognise officially recognise (in law no.21, 9th May 1997) a small number of firms, due to their traditions, history, work practices and the personality of the owners, so that they would be honoured in their respective fields with the reputation of Eccellenza Artigiana (Excellent craftsmanship).
Therefore a register was published listing woodcarvers, metalworkers, furniture-makers, restorers, decorators etc. In the world of food and drink, outstanding pastry chefs, liqueur makers and distillers received recognition.
There was a very strict procedure to go through to attain this recognition and the entries were assessed by the Provincial Board for Craftsmanship which, after careful consideration, decided to assign these coveted recognitions to a limited number of companies in the area.
On October 10th 2004 the Distilleria Gualco was given the right to boast this distinguished title, coveted in the field of liqueurs and distilled products.
As part of the initiatives related to the brand Artisan Excellence Piedmont Region has realized the project "Workshop School", an idea to bring young people to the labor market and to enhance the ancient craft traditions of Piedmont that still survive and that give luster the economy of the area (www.bottegascuolapiemonte.it).
The Distillery Gualco since 2004 has officially become Workshop School and the owners of the company are now fully recognized as Master Craftsmen.
This initiative has allowed some young, arrived at the Distillery Gualco as students, to deal with issues related to the production of grappa and spirits directly in the field for six months, followed by a master of experienced and competent.
Some of them after this experience they decided to start working in this area.
Silvano d'Orba has always been well known for the production of grappa and in the village’s most prosperous years there were four distilleries producing grappa (three of which were owned by the Gualco family).
The grappa produced in this village using the Piemontese discontinuous bain-marie system was the first in Italy in the Spirits category to obtain the De.Co. Denominazione Comunale, a controlled designation of origin that the Italian municipalities are free to award for local food production recognized as excellent and considered as traditional by the local people.
Every bottle of grappa produced by the Gualco distillery has been made following the principles of the strict De.Co regulations.
In September 2010 at the annual Alambicco d'Oro awards in Asti, the ANAG (the National Association of Grappa Tasters) decided to give a special recognition to the four distilleries that have won at least one gold medal each year at the Alambicco d'Oro from 2001 to 2010.
Distilleria Gualco was, of course, one of the four distilleries that received this accolade.
The Chamber of Commerce for Craftsmanship and Agriculture in Alessandria (Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato e Agricoltura di Alessandria) periodically gives awards to firms in different sectors if they are well known for their quality or their commitment to their business, bearing in mind the history and therefore the time-proven credibility of the firm under consideration.
In 2005 it gave the Distilleria Gualco the Gold Medal for Craftsmanship, to quote, “for entrepreneurial commitment and economic progress” shown in the course of 2005.
This recognition is also unequivocal proof of the excellence of the Gualco distillery.
