CARPANO HOUSE OF APERITIVO: ROSALIA'S MENAGERIE, HOLLAND WINS THE INTERNATIONAL FINAL IN TURIN FOR CARPANO'S 240TH ANNIVERSARY

An evening of celebration, culture and international debate in the heart of Turin: the splendid setting of the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento in Palazzo Carignano hosted the international final of Carpano House of Aperitivo , the major project with which the brand that created the Vermouth category in 1786 celebrates its 240th anniversary (1786–2026).

Luca Aquaviva & Pepijn van Beusekom , head bartenders and owners of Rosalia's Menagerie in Amsterdam, Netherlands , won the public's favor. Their winning recipe, based on Punt e Mes , stood out among the competitors thanks to an original reinterpretation of the famous Pimm's Cup designed for aperitifs. Compared to the classic version, characterized by a very fresh profile and the use of seasonal fruit, the Dutch team's creation focuses on simplicity and a profound reference to the ritual of the Italian aperitif, combining liqueurs, lemon juice, and Punt e Mes, expressing the brand's identity and eclecticism with great refinement.

Palazzo Carignano offered a true immersion in the diverse cultures of hospitality. Thirty professionals from sixteen countries met in Turin, bringing to life as many experiential stations, where each participant offered a complete journey of cocktails featuring Carpano products, atmosphere, and storytelling. Guests were able to navigate the various tasting stations, expressing their preference through a dedicated token system. The evening was enriched by a solemn institutional moment and a toast to Carpano's 240th anniversary. The event was attended by President Niccolò Branca and Piedmontese and city officials—including Alessandro Bollo, Director of the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento; Andrea Tronzano, Councilor for Budget, Development of Productive Activities, Internationalization, and Investment Attraction for the Piedmont Region; Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of the City of Turin; and Massimiliano Cipolletta, President of the Turin Chamber of Commerce—reflecting the profound connection between the history of Vermouth and the Turin region.

Niccolò Branca, President of the Branca Group: "This evening I thought about how many lives a product can have when it truly becomes part of people's habits. Carpano was born in Turin, but what we've seen here now belongs to many geographies: sixteen countries, sixteen ways of understanding the aperitivo, and in each there is something recognizable and something unexpected.

Two hundred and forty years only gain meaning if a story continues to have something to say to its time. This is where I see Carpano's strength: its ability to remain true to what it is and, at the same time, to be interpreted by vastly different cultures, sensibilities, and ways of welcoming guests. House of Aperitivo has shown us how this history is still capable of sparking discussion, creativity, and new forms of hospitality.

The 240th anniversary thus marks not a point of arrival, but a further stage in Carpano's evolution: the first edition of House of Aperitivo leaves behind a global network of talents and a privileged observatory on contemporary drinking and hospitality culture.

ABOUT BRANCA

Founded in Milan in 1845, Fratelli Branca Distillerie is a historic independent Italian family-run business operating in the spirits sector with a consolidated international presence. Its portfolio includes brands such as Fernet-Branca, Brancamenta, Carpano, Antica Formula, Punt e Mes, Caffè Borghetti, Stravecchio Branca, and Grappa Candolini. The principle of "Novare Serbando" (Keeping Innovation in Mind) expresses the company's development model: innovating in tune with evolving markets and consumers, preserving formulas, quality, identity, and responsibility. With production facilities in Milan and Buenos Aires, a sales office in New York, and products distributed in approximately 160 countries, Branca combines Italian roots, product culture, and an international vision.