Ticino winery in Gordola: Merlot Rosso, Rosato and Bianco DOC as well as grappa and nocino from our own production.
Al Mulinetto
Gordola (TI), SwitzerlandNew on Amplifa
The Winery
Al Mulinetto is a family-run winery in Gordola in Ticino, high above Lake Maggiore. Vines have been cultivated at this sunny location since the 18th century; a spring on the estate once powered the old mill in Gordola, which gave the business its name. Two grape varieties are cultivated: Merlot for the Riserva, Rosato and Bianco wines – all under the Ticino DOC classification – as well as Americana for grappa and nocino. The winemaking follows Bordeaux tradition under the direction of oenologist Fabio Zanini; rigorous yield reduction, manual harvesting and fermentation in stainless steel tanks are all part of the process. Production is carried out in accordance with the guidelines of Integrated Production (IP). Around 250 bottles of grappa are produced each year; products have been rated 91 to 93 points by Falstaff.
- Site
- Gordola
- Processes
- Vine cultivation and winemaking (Merlot red wine), Rosé winemaking (short maceration, gentle pressing, controlled fermentation), White wine vinification from red grapes (rapid, gentle pressing, fermentation at controlled, Batch distillation (grappa as pure grape brandy), Liqueur production (nocino: walnuts steeped in grappa, prepared by hand), Viticulture and winemaking (Merlot Rosso, Rosato, Bianco DOC), Grappa distillation (batch process, pure grape brandy), Nocino according to a family recipe
- Materials
- Merlot (grape variety), Americana (grape variety), Walnuts, Merlot, Americana
- Certificates
- Integrated Production (IP), Ticino DOC
- Industries
- Viticulture, Spirits, Delicacies
- 01
Vine cultivation (vineyard in Gordola)
- 02
Manual harvesting with yield reduction
- 03
Pressing and vinification (stainless steel tanks)
- 04
Batch distillation (grappa)
- 05
Liqueur production (nocino)
- 06
Bottling and marketing
Grape Varieties and Raw Materials
Merlot
Grape variety for red, rosé and white wine, for over 100 years the preferred variety of Ticino (approx. 80% of the vineyard area).
Americana
Aromatic grape variety, the basis for grappa and nocino.
Walnuts
Steeped in grappa and processed by hand into nocino.
Location
Gordola
CHWinery with vineyard, pressing house and distillery
- Lot size
- Small batches (grappa approx. 250 bottles/year)
- Materials
- Merlot, Americana, walnuts
- Stainless steel tanks (fermentation)
Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vine cultivation and winemaking (Merlot red wine)Food production | – | – | – | – | Merlot grapes |
| Rosé winemaking (short maceration, gentle pressing, controlled fermentation)Food production | – | – | – | – | Merlot grapes |
| White wine vinification from red grapes (rapid, gentle pressing, fermentation at controlledFood production | – | – | – | – | Merlot grapes |
| Batch distillation (grappa as pure grape brandy)Food production | – | – | – | – | Americana grapes |
| Liqueur production (nocino: walnuts steeped in grappa, prepared by hand)Food production | – | – | – | – | Walnuts, Grappa |
1 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel tanks (fermentation) | – | – | – | – | Gordola |
Additional services
Quality and Origin
All wines carry the protected Ticino DOC appellation, which guarantees origin and quality. Viticulture is carried out in accordance with the guidelines of Integrated Production (IP).
| Evidence | Gordola |
|---|---|
| Integrated Production (IP) | |
| Ticino DOC |
History
- 18. Jahrhund
Start of vine cultivation at the sunny location high above Lake Maggiore; a spring on the estate once powered the old mill in Gordola (namesake of Al Mulinetto).
- 1906
Alderige Fantuzzi introduced Merlot from Bordeaux after phylloxera and powdery mildew and pressed the first Ticino Merlot.
- 2025
Falstaff rates the Grappa del Ticino with 93 points.
- 2026
Falstaff awards the Merlot Riserva DOC 92 points.