Who Owns Italicus?

Italicus was founded in 2016 by Giuseppe Gallo, an Italian hospitality industry veteran from the Amalfi Coast (Salerno province). Gallo had spent nearly 10 years as the global brand ambassador for Martini and Rossi, the Italian vermouth and aperitif brand, where he won Best International Brand Ambassador at Tales of the Cocktail's Spirited Awards in 2014. His experience at Martini gave him deep knowledge of the aperitif category, the Italian spirits industry, and the global bartending community.

Gallo founded ItalSpirits, a consultancy, in 2015 after leaving Martini. Through ItalSpirits, he developed the Italicus concept: a revival of the historic rosolio category, an Italian aperitif style that dates to the late 1800s. Rosolio was once the most popular aperitif in the Italian royal court but had largely disappeared by the 20th century, replaced by vermouth and other aperitifs. Gallo saw an opportunity to revive the category with a modern product that used high-quality Italian ingredients.

Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto launched in September 2016. The product is a 20% ABV Italian bergamot aperitif liqueur, made with bergamot from the UNESCO-protected Calabrian region, cedro from Sicily, Roman chamomile, lavender, gentian, yellow roses, Italian neutral grain spirit, and natural cane sugar. The production uses a cold-infusion process called "Sfumatura," which preserves the delicate flavors of the bergamot and other botanicals.

The brand's early launch focused on three markets: the UK (London), Italy (Milan), and the United States (New York). Gallo chose these markets because of their strong cocktail and aperitivo cultures, where bartenders drive product adoption through signature cocktails. The Italicus Spritz, made with Italicus, prosecco, and soda, became the brand's signature serve and was adopted by bartenders in top bars, restaurants, and hotels.

Production is at Torino Distillati, a family-owned distillery established in 1906 in Moncalieri, Torino, run by the Vergnano family. The distillery's century of experience in Italian spirits production provided the technical foundation for Italicus's cold-infusion process and quality standards.

The brand grew steadily through the late 2010s, building distribution in the on-trade (bars and restaurants) across Europe and the United States. In 2017, Italicus won Best New Spirit at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in the global spirits industry. The brand was also named Top Trending Liqueur Brand by Drinks International multiple years from 2019 through 2025.

In March 2020, Pernod Ricard took a 50% stake in Italicus as part of a strategic partnership. Gallo remained CEO and continued to lead the brand. The partnership gave Italicus access to Pernod Ricard's global distribution infrastructure, accelerating international expansion. Over the following six and a half years, Italicus expanded to 47 countries and sold more than 3 million bottles, with consistent double-digit annual growth.

In addition to Italicus, Gallo created Savoia Americano Vino Aperitivo, another Italian aperitif brand, and founded the Roma Bar Show in 2019. His role as a creator and promoter of Italian aperitif culture made him one of the most influential figures in the category's global revival.

On August 27, 2026, Pernod Ricard acquired the remaining 50% stake in Italicus, taking full ownership. Gallo stepped down from his operational role, announcing his exit as a planned transition after 10 years of building the brand. The terms of the buyout were not publicly disclosed. Pernod Ricard now controls the brand's IP, production, and global distribution.