The Grapat of Valle Spluga: Master Distillers and Alpine Tradition

Distilling began as a seasonal occupation carried out during the winter months, when agricultural work came to a halt. Thanks to their expertise, many people from Val San Giacomo travelled from their mountain villages to Italy’s main wine-producing regions, where they applied their knowledge of grape pomace processing and grappa production.

Over time, the Grapat expanded their activity far beyond Valle Spluga, working throughout Lombardy, Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, Veneto, Emilia and Tuscany. This seasonal migration helped spread a craft tradition passed down from generation to generation, becoming one of the defining elements of Val San Giacomo’s identity.

Today, the Grapat are considered an integral part of the valley’s cultural heritage. The Via Spluga and Val San Giacomo Museum (Mu.Vi.S.) dedicates a section to this ancient profession, illustrating the role of these distillers alongside the other traditional activities that shaped life in the Alpine communities.

The Valle Spluga Ecomuseum also contributes to preserving this memory through a project dedicated to the Grapat, promoting a tradition that reflects the close relationship between the territory, seasonal work and mountain culture.

Discovering the history of the Grapat means exploring one of Valle Spluga’s most authentic traditions: an ancient profession that bears witness to the ingenuity, adaptability and strong connection between Alpine communities and their land.

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