About Us
Five generations of passion, tradition and innovation on the slopes of the highest volcano in Europe
Where Lava
Meets Citrus
In Santa Venerina, in the heart of the Sicilian Ionian coast, stands the Russo Siciliano Distillery: a place where the fire of Etna and the fragrance of the Mediterranean merge in every drop of our liqueurs.
Our headquarters is located exactly where the ancient lava flows of Etna meet the terraced citrus groves that slope down toward the sea. This volcanic terroir — unique in the world — gives our citrus fruits an extraordinary aromatic concentration: verdello lemons, Sicilian blood oranges, late-season mandarins grow in an extremely mineral-rich soil, irrigated by spring waters that filter through the basaltic rock of the volcano.
The Mediterranean climate, with its long sunny summers and mild winters tempered by the sea breeze, creates the ideal conditions for the slow and natural maturation of the botanicals that go into our recipes. Every ingredient absorbs the essence of this extraordinary land: the warmth of the lava, the saltiness of the sea, the freshness of the breezes that descend from the 3,357 meters of the summit crater.
It is here, in this privileged corner of Sicily, that the Russo family chose to establish its distillery over a century and a half ago. A choice that is renewed every day, because we know that the quality of our liqueurs comes first and foremost from the quality of our land.
Our Story
Over 150 years of history in every bottle. A journey through the generations of the Russo family, guardians of the art of Sicilian distillation.
The Founding
In the heart of eastern Sicily, the patriarch of the Russo family started a small artisanal distillery. With a copper still and recipes passed down orally by the farmers of Etna, the first rosolios and the first amari based on wild herbs harvested on the slopes of the volcano were born. It is the beginning of an adventure that would last over a century and a half.
The Second Generation
The second Russo generation expanded production and introduced the first infusions of Etna citrus. The distillery's limoncellos and arancellos conquered the tables of Catanian families and began to gain recognition throughout eastern Sicily. The distillery moved to its current location in Santa Venerina.
Reconstruction and Rebirth
After the destruction of the war, the third generation rebuilt the distillery with determination and vision. The first modern copper stills were purchased, while preserving the artisanal know-how passed down by the founding grandfather. The range was enriched with the first amari made with Etna herbs and the first Sicilian grappas.
The Classic Line Is Born
The fourth generation officially launched the Russo Siciliano Classic Line: limoncello, arancello, amaro with Etna herbs, almond cream and pistachio liqueur. It was the debut of a brand that would bring the authentic flavors of Sicily beyond the borders of the island. Russo liqueurs entered regional large-scale retail for the first time.
Premium Excellence
The Premium Line was born, with refined packaging, signature bottles and exclusive recipes crafted with the finest Sicilian ingredients. Bronte DOP pistachio, Avola almonds, Etna prickly pears: every product becomes a sensory experience. The distillery obtained its first international quality certifications.
Conquering the Ho.Re.Ca Market
Russo Siciliano liqueurs entered the finest hotels, restaurants and bars in Italy. Artisanal quality and Sicilian authenticity won over starred chefs and internationally renowned bartenders. It was the year the distillery received its first Brussels Spirits Award, international recognition of the work of four generations.
The Cannolo Edition Revolution
The icon of Sicilian pastry became a liqueur. The Cannolo Edition — creams and liqueurs inspired by the Sicilian cannolo — won over the public and became a market phenomenon. Bianconeve, the cannolo cream liqueur, became within a few months the distillery's best-selling product and a symbol of indulgent Sicily around the world.
International Expansion
The fifth generation brought Russo Siciliano to the world. Our products reach markets throughout Europe, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, South Africa and Australia. The largest vacuum distillation plant in Europe was installed, capable of producing up to 800 liters per day while preserving the aromas of the botanicals intact.
Signature Grappas and Distillates
The art of pure distillation reaches new heights with the line of single-varietal grappas, brandies and eaux-de-vie that celebrate the enological richness of Sicily. The Russo distillates win the Alambicco d'Oro di Asti and receive recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London.
Responsible Innovation
The Meno Alcool line is born, a response to the new trends of mindful consumption, and the MixyLab collection for contemporary mixology. Tradition evolves without losing its soul: family recipes meet the needs of the modern audience, confirming that innovation and craftsmanship can coexist.
Our Values
Four fundamental pillars that for five generations have guided our every choice, from the selection of raw materials to the last drop in the bottle.
Tradition
Guardians of an ancient knowledge, passed down from father to son for five generations. Our recipes have their roots in the thousand-year history of Sicily and in the sacred respect of artisanal methods. Every gesture in our distillery repeats rituals that are over a century old, perfected but never distorted.
Quality
Only the finest Sicilian raw materials cross the threshold of our distillery. Citrus ripened under the Etna sun, Bronte DOP pistachios, Avola almonds, wild prickly pears: every ingredient is chosen at the perfect moment of ripeness, with a rigor that allows no compromise.
Innovation
Modern techniques at the service of tradition. Our vacuum distillation plant — the largest in Europe — preserves aromas with a purity impossible to achieve with conventional methods. We invest in research to create products that surprise, without losing their artisanal soul.
Territory
A visceral bond with Sicily and its volcano. The lava soil of Etna is our inspiration, our strength and the secret of every one of our products. We support local agriculture, work with the farmers of the territory and give back to our land what it generously offers us.
«The secret is not in the recipe, but in the land. Every citrus fruit that grows on the slopes of Etna carries within itself the fire of the volcano and the sweetness of the Mediterranean. We do nothing but guard this magic and transform it into something that can be drunk, shared, remembered.»
Our Process
Four fundamental phases, each carried out with the care and patience that only artisanal tradition can guarantee. No rush, no compromise.
Harvest
We hand-select the finest Sicilian botanicals at the perfect moment of ripeness. Verdello lemons, blood oranges, Bronte pistachios, aromatic herbs of Etna: every ingredient is harvested in respect of the natural cycles, when the concentration of essential oils reaches its peak.
Infusion
The citrus peels and herbs are immersed in pure alcohol according to the secret recipes of the Russo family. The infusion takes place slowly, in temperature-controlled environments, for weeks or months, until every aroma has been completely transferred into the liquid.
Distillation
The heart of our process: vacuum distillation in our copper stills. This advanced technology makes it possible to distill at low temperatures, preserving intact the most delicate and volatile aromas that would be lost with traditional high-temperature methods.
Bottling
After a period of rest and maturation, each liqueur is bottled with meticulous care. From the silk-screen printed label to the selected cap, every detail reflects the quality of the content. Every bottle is a work of art that tells the story of our land.
Ambassadors of
Sicily in the World
To bring the authenticity of Sicily to every corner of the planet, through liqueurs that tell a true story: that of a family, a land and a passion that knows no borders.
Since 1870, five generations of the Russo family have been producing, with artisanal methods, grappas, amari, traditional liqueurs, rosolios and creams that capture the essence of Sicily in every sip. Our excellence has been recognized internationally with prestigious awards: the Brussels Spirits Award, the Alambicco d'Oro di Asti and The International Wine & Spirit Competition in London.
Today our products reach markets throughout Europe, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, South Africa and Australia, bringing the unmistakable flavor of our island wherever there is someone willing to listen to the story that every bottle tells.
From the Field
to the Glass
To be the global reference point for Sicilian liqueurs, maintaining complete control of the production chain: from land to glass, without intermediaries.
Our philosophy is founded on total traceability: all raw materials are certified and selected from the Sicilian territory. We control every phase of production, from the harvesting of ingredients to the final bottling, guaranteeing standards of excellence in every single step.
The heart of our production is the largest vacuum distillation plant in Europe, capable of producing up to 800 liters per day. This advanced technology, combined with the artisanal know-how passed down for five generations, allows us to preserve intact the aromas and fragrances of Sicilian botanicals, reaching a purity and aromatic complexity impossible with traditional methods.
Our Certifications
The quality of our products is guaranteed by the most prestigious international certifications. Every phase of our production chain is subjected to rigorous quality and food safety controls.
BRC Food
Global standard for food safety, internationally recognized as a guarantee of excellence in the production of food and beverages.
EU Organic
European certification for organic products, attesting the use of raw materials grown without chemical pesticides and with respect for the environment.
IFS Food
International Featured Standards for the quality and safety of food products, with rigorous audits throughout the production chain.
RINA
Quality management system certification issued by one of the most authoritative and recognized certification bodies in the world.
Want to Know More?
Whether you are a curious individual, a restaurateur looking for authentic products or a distributor interested in our catalog, we would be happy to meet you. Come visit us at our distillery in Santa Venerina or write to us for any information.