What did you do before creating Solaro Gin? I was with my head amongst the stars. I led innovation and ventures at a global satellite giant before Solaro. I also co-founded an adventure travel and media startup, marrying my passion for exploration, sustainability, and business. My background? A cocktail of award-winning design, photography, and a family legacy in diplomacy and art, plus a cousin who makes the most awarded vodka on the planet. This eclectic mix gives Solaro its uniqueness – both in the bottle and as a brand. What made you decide to create Solaro Gin and what's the inspiration behind it? I couldn’t stand seeing our incredible heritage and culture vanish with every passing day as Italian artisans retired or quit without passing on generations of knowledge. I thought it was a literal travesty and decided to do something about it. On a sun-soaked Capri afternoon in 2018, there I was, daydreaming whilst crafting limoncello in the family garden when my uncle arrived, brandishing a G&T adorned with fresh herbs. That moment was pure Capri magic, and it hit me – why not bottle this essence in a vessel created with local artisans that could also help them thrive? Upon learning that gin's roots trace back a millennium to nearby Salerno, I knew it was destiny and too good to pass. But here's the twist – our gin doesn't just honor tradition, it pushes its boundaries. Enter our game-changing locally handmade hexagonal, stackable ceramic bottles – a nod to innovation that's as bold as our spirit. What is the meaning and story behind your brand name? Life's too short for the obvious and banal, so I avoided using "Capri" outright in the name. The gin is named after Monte Solaro, Capri's highest peak. It embodies our ambition to elevate Italian craftsmanship to new heights while being a word familiar to people around the world. It's also where we handpick our star ingredient – zagara citrus blossoms. But Solaro, and Capri, is more than a location; it's a state of mind. It's about reaching for the summit of flavour, design, and experience. When you taste Solaro, you're not just sipping gin – you're imbibing the very essence and spirit of Capri itself. Can you tell us more about the distillery you work with? I didn't have any contacts for a distillery, and online search was utterly useless as always, so I literally went old-school and resorted to using the Italian 'white pages'. That’s how I found Antica Distilleria Russo in Salerno and it was love at first encounter. With their Bespoke Distillery unit, they have been decoding the DNA of Capri and surrounding botanicals for four generations. They're not just distillers – they're botanical whisperers, located a stone's throw from Capri, keeping true to our authenticity and use of ultra-local artisans. Our process? It's a precise combination of cutting-edge rotovaps with classic stills. Why? Because some of our botanicals, like the delicate zagara, demand finesse that only this fusion of old and new can deliver. Can you tell us more about your distillation process and botanicals? Our distillation process is like composing a symphony, with each botanical playing a crucial note. The star of the show? Zagara citrus blossoms, hand-picked from Capri's highest peak, Monte Solaro itself. But that's just the overture. We've got an all-star cast including red juniper from Cilento, mirto (myrtle) from Sorrento, Amalfi lemon peel and leaves, and hand-roasted Neapolitan Arabica coffee. We use a two-act process: first, the delicate dance of rotovap extraction, then the powerful crescendo of classic column still distillation. After a restful interlude, we bottle this liquid opus. The finale? A native gin that's smooth, luxuriant, and unmistakably Italian – a true taste of Capri and la dolce vita. What is your ambition for Solaro Gin in the years to come? Solaro isn't just aiming for the top shelf – we're redefining what that means. Our vision? To transform Solaro into the quintessence of Italian luxury. The gin, and our maiolica ceramic bottle, are what I envision as the first steps in a curated portfolio of Italian drinks and gourmet delights. Further down the line it would be natural for us to offer truly authentic bespoke Capri experiences as well as collaborating with the local artisans to create accessories. We're not just preserving Italy's cultural heritage – we're propelling it into the future in the most environmentally and culturally sustainable way possible. What are your favourite ways to drink your gin?
Neat, first and foremost. Solaro is a gin that demands to be savoured in its purest form – it is liquid art, after all. But we're not purists – we love to play. In a G&T, we swap the usual lemon for a twist of orange zest – it's a game-changer. And let's talk Negronis – I wouldn't have signed off on our recipe if it didn't make a Negroni sing. But I think our coup will be the Capri-inspired cocktail we're working on that's going to give Spritz pause for thought. Desert Island Gins: Which 3 gins would you take with you and why?
What's next for you and Solaro Gin - any exciting plans? And then some. First of all, we're eyeing new markets, but we'll only make our move when we can do it with the flair and finesse that defines Solaro. We're also very eager to unveil a glass bottle that's going to turn heads and challenge expectations. We’ve been collaborating with NIO Cocktails for a delicious limoncello gin cocktail and has given us many more ideas for possible RTDs. Lastly, we’re working on yet another incredible, top secret project, that if all the stars align as they should, will be unveiled early next year. The only hint I can give is that Capri isn’t called the “Isola Azzurra” (Blue Island) for nothing. It's all part of our journey to redefine luxury spirits and showcase the best of Italian artisanship to the world, one sip at a time. You Might Also Like...
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