Joining Montegrappa’s Cult Collection, the new Grappa fountain pen was inspired by the renowned distillate “grappa”- an Italian specialty that nowadays has devotees all over the world. This incredible writing instrument was also thought as homage to Bassano del Grappa – the town Montegrappa calls home, for the place is just as well one of the major producers of this refined liquor.
The “grappa” distinct personality is defined by the type and quality of the grapes used, as well as the distillation process or “secret recipe.” As proof of grappa’s ascension to the ranks of chic liquors, many of Italy’s finest wine producers now bottle their own “grappa”, including the “Super Tuscans” Sassicaia and Tignanello. There can be no higher accolade.
Both the historic traditions of grappa distilling and the aesthetic of steampunk have inspired and influenced the design of the latest addition to Montegrappa’s Cult collection. The materials used in the pens’ manufacture, reminiscent of the distilling vessels, include stainless steel, brass and copper for the cap and barrel, employed in the manner of the actual equipment’s construction.
Montegrappa’s technicians executed hand-applied hammering techniques on the copper components, while tiny screws – both functional and ornamental – remind the user of the technological inspiration of the product. Even the pocket clip continues the grappa-making theme, formed to recall the copper tubing used in the distilling process.
Exquisite touches detail both ends of this remarkable writing instrument. Inserted into the top of the cap is a disc made of real cork as used in a grappa bottle top, beneath a filigree-cut octagonal grid recalling Montegrappa’s eight-sided symbol. Lastly, the 18k gold duotone nib is embellished with a bunch of grapes on the vine.
The Montegrappa Cult Collection Grappa Pen has been issued as fountain pen, with both cartridge and converter feeders, and as a rollerball. Production is limited to 1912 for the fountain pen and 1912 for the rollerball, the given number denotes the year of establishment of the Montegrappa company. The blind cap of the Grappa pen is reserved for the limited edition number.
Embracing the spirit of grappa and its life-enhancing properties, the Montegrappa Cult Grappa Pens arrive in special packaging not unlike the presentation of an actual bottle of the liquor. The pen comes in a blown glass bottle with a large globe base, made by local artisans, bearing the Montegrappa coat of arms in metallic finish.
Italy's first pen manufacturer, Montegrappa, began manufacturing pens in 1912 in its factory in Bassano del Grappa - a picturesque town along the Brenta River, which flows through Alpine foothills in northeastern Italy. Utilizing natural celluloid and precious metals, Montegrappa combines traditional methods such as die-casting with more recent innovations as low-relief engraving to form their precious art objects. Whether they use colors reminiscent of the master painters or ornamentation suggestive of Baroque palaces, the Italian heritage and romance is infused into each product.