Water: The first edition of the Nocera Umbra Water Cultural Award is underway.

The new glass bottle dedicated to fine dining has been presented; an important opportunity to focus on a constantly growing sector which in Italy alone sees consumption exceeding 15 billion bottles and 257 litres per capita per year.

Acqua Nocera Umbra presents its new glass bottle dedicated to fine dining , marking its entry into the HoReCa channel and wholesale channels. This new product, developed in a unique format, will represent the SEM Group company's top label.

The project, announced last year during the celebrations for the 130th anniversary of water production at Solfagnano Castle (Perugia) , was created with the aim of tapping into a market segment previously unserved by the brand. The strategy envisages initial distribution in central and southern Italy, followed by a progressive nationwide rollout. Production will take place at the Nocera Umbra plant in the province of Perugia, which includes The Angelica and Flaminia springs. The site employs approximately 50 people and boasts an annual production capacity of 150 million bottles , 90% of which is PET.

"For us, the new glass bottle represents much more than a new product: it is a strategic step that marks Acqua Nocera Umbra's return to the world of quality catering," says SEM Group President Claudio Turchi . "We wanted to create a product that combines elegance, local identity, and sustainability, meeting the needs of a market increasingly focused on the overall consumer experience. This project demonstrates our desire to grow through innovation, without ever losing our connection to our roots."

The launch of the new bottle is part of the growth of the SEM Group , now one of the most dynamic companies in the Italian natural mineral water extraction and bottling industry. Headquartered in Vignola, in the Modena district, the Group has developed a national and international presence over time, maintaining strong ties to the regions where its sources originate.

The new bottle was presented through an exclusive menu, “Le Sorgenti del Sapore”, created by the starred chef Francesco Apreda , who highlighted Acqua Nocera Umbra as an ingredient , integrating it into various creations of the gastronomic journey.

The company's modern history began in 1984 in Fanano, in the Modena Apennines, with the development of Monte Cimone Natural Mineral Water . Since then, the Group has embarked on a path of progressive growth, acquiring historic brands and excellent production sites: from the Clavdia Springs in Lazio, with the Clavdia and Giulia springs , to the Nocera Umbra Historic Springs hub in Umbria , fed by the Angelica spring, already known since the 16th century, and by the more recent Flaminia Spring, up to Nuova Samicer , in the province of Reggio Emilia, with the Ventasso and Lieta springs.

The SEM Group's identity is based on a balance between tradition and innovation, also through its connection to the Bisleri name. The Bisleri family, led by Felice Bisleri, shaped Italian industrial history as early as the late 19th century, contributing to the spread of health and wellness products. Even today, in international markets like India, the name Bisleri is synonymous with mineral water.

Today, the SEM Group continues this legacy by combining quality, sustainability, and technological innovation, developing new synergies in the beverage sector, and enhancing natural resources and local communities.

This is also the context for the launch of the first edition of the Acqua Nocera Umbra – Fonte Angelica Award, which will be held on May 22nd at Solfagnano Castle . The initiative aims to culturally enhance the exclusivity and tradition of a historic Made in Italy product, rewarding personalities from the worlds of media, sports, and culture who, through their work, contribute to promoting and representing Italian excellence and identity.

"Both the new label and the award demonstrate our desire to bring water to the forefront," emphasizes Matteo Marchi, General Manager of the SEM Group . "We're talking about a sector that generates significant numbers; just consider that in Italy alone, over 15 billion liters of bottled water are consumed each year, equivalent to 257 liters per capita. It's a cultural phenomenon, a tradition that spans generations and makes bottled water a symbol, albeit one that isn't always adequately recognized, of Made in Italy."