ITALIAN STORIES
Founded in 1821, Luxardo is one of the world’s oldest existing distilleries; it stands out among the few European liquor companies that are still entirely owned by the same family.
“Being here and able to talk about our 200-year history is deeply emotional,” says senior partner Franco Luxardo. “It is not always possible to celebrate these anniversaries in person. It is happening to me today, and I am proud of it: I think of – and cherish – the past and have great hope for newer generations.”
Today, three generations of Luxardo work together in the company, all committed to ensuring due continuity to Girolamo Luxardo’s legacy. The company was founded by Girolamo Luxardo in Zara, a city that had been part of the republic of Venice for centuries. A Genoese aristocrat dedicated to maritime trade; Girolamo moved with his family to Zara in 1817. His wife, Marquise Maria Canevari, used to home-make liqueurs.
Her specialty was Rosolio Maraschino, made by infusing morello cherries
(locally grown sour cherries) in alcohol, sweetening them and adding to them the essence of roses in order to enhance the scent. This home-made liqueur’s quality gave Girolamo the idea of using the family recipe on an industrial scale. Thus, precisely 200 years ago, he opened a factory for the production of Maraschino. In 1829, after 8 years of perfecting the recipe, Girolamo obtained an exclusive “Privilege” from the Emperor of Austria, which reserved him exclusive production rights for 15 years. Today the firm proudly continues bearing the denomination of “PRIVILEGIATA FABBRICA MARASCHINO EXCELSIOR.” During WWII, the distillery was almost completely destroyed, the family’s belongings were confiscated and the family members dispersed. After more than a century of operations the Luxardo business seemed to be on the brink of permanently ceasing operations. In 1947, however, the last surviving brother, Giorgio Luxardo, had the entrepreneurial vision of rebuilding the old business from scratch in Torreglia (Padua). The Torreglia plant processes morello cherries in order to produce a total of more than 6 million bottles every year. The company portfolio includes a complete mix of internationally successful brands, capable of providing consumers with a wide range of typical Italian liqueurs. Maraschino and Cherry Sangue Morlacco are the two historical products, but the company’s long list of fine liqueurs also includes Sambuca dei Cesari, Amaretto di Saschira, Limoncello and Aperitivo, to name a few.