Distilleria Romano Levi

WINERY SUMMARY

Distilleria Romano Levi sits in Neive, Piedmont, where the language of Nebbiolo vineyards and the rhythm of the still mark the seasons; the name Distilleria Romano Levi evokes a tactile scene of copper, oak and poems pinned to bottles. In the Langhe’s mosaic of vineyards and limestone hills, Distilleria Romano Levi sources fresh grape pomace from local producers — including prized Nebbiolo houses — and distills it in direct-fire copper stills fired by hand, producing intensely aromatic, small-batch grappa that reads like a portrait of place. Visitors who arrive in late autumn witness the charged season when the distillery’s ritual begins: the still is lit, steam rises, and each expression is coaxed slowly, molecule by molecule, into the bottle.

The craft legacy at Distilleria Romano Levi traces to Serafino Levi, who founded the house in 1925, and to the siblings Romano and Lidia, whose personalities shaped both liquid and lore. Romano Levi became renowned as a master distiller and artist — his hand-drawn labels and poems turned bottles into collectibles — while Lidia specialized in rare herb-infused grappas, blending botanicals into singular expressions. The distillery’s philosophy rejects industrial scale: distillation remains artisanal, production limited to roughly 6,000–7,000 bottles annually during Romano’s era, and the still is tended by a practiced hand. Recognition followed: Romano received the Luigi Veronelli Award for Best Distiller in 2006, cementing Distilleria Romano Levi’s reputation as a heritage distillery and cultural touchstone in Piedmont. As of October 2025 the property ownership is recorded under Lucio Scaratti and Luigi Schiappapietra, continuing stewardship of Levi’s traditions.

The product journey at Distilleria Romano Levi moves from vineyard marc to collectible bottle with deliberate steps. Grappa della Donna Selvatica is a signature clear expression, distilled from fresh Nebbiolo pomace and praised for floral lift, green apple brightness and a long, sapid finish; each bottle bears a unique Romano label and often a short poem. Grappa Ambrate Gran Riserva represents the house’s aged amber side: small allocations of grappa are matured until amber-toned, gaining toasted almond, dried citrus peel and baking-spice notes while retaining varietal tension. The No. 71 limited edition (distilled 2008, bottled 2015) is a numbered, small-run release—approximately 200 bottles in its allocation—that collectors seek for its concentrated aromatics and provenance. Lidia’s herb-infused grappas introduce uncommon botanical layers: hand-selected alpine and kitchen herbs macerated or co-distilled to yield savory, resinous profiles uncommon in mainstream grappas. Production consistently favors single-marc distillation, patient cuts and bottle-by-bottle attention; the result is a roster of clear, amber and infused expressions that read as both spirit and story.

Visiting Distilleria Romano Levi is an intimate encounter rather than a commercial spectacle. The still house and compact production floor offer close-up views of direct-fire copper apparatus and the ritual of distillation; the tasting area feels domestic and reflective, where handwritten labels and poems set a personal tone. Architecture remains true to its origins: a modest Piedmontese house with an attached distillation room and small storage for aged expressions. Expect compact, atmospheric spaces rather than grand tasting halls, and a focus on tasting by allocation—bottle displays are curated like a small museum of craft. Unique features include Romano’s original handwritten labels and occasional opportunities to examine limited-edition bottles side-by-side.

Best times to visit are late autumn and winter during or just after the distillation season when the still is lit and new spirits are at their freshest; advance booking is strongly recommended because tours and tastings are limited and production is small. There are no publicized fixed tasting fees or online reservation links in available sources, so planning through the official site or a trusted local guide is advisable for guaranteed access.

Distilleria Romano Levi rewards those who seek craftsmanship, provenance and poetic provenance in a spirit house: book early, request a focused tasting of Grappa della Donna Selvatica and an aged Ambrate pour, and allow the production team’s legacy to reshape expectations about what artisanal grappa can deliver. For collectors and serious spirits travelers, Distilleria Romano Levi in Neive offers a rare chance to taste history compressed into glass—reserve a visit and feel the Langhe in every sip.