Gargano
The Gargano project was born in the homonymous area of Puglia in the province of Foggia, also nicknamed "the spur of Italy" due to its peculiar geographical position, where with passion and enthusiasm the young Riccardo Santovito conceived and founded Gin Gargano in 2021. He uses local botanicals and relies on the master distiller Alfredo La Cava of the Distillerie Subalpine in Chieri, in Piemonte, for the production process. At just 18 years old, Riccardo began working as a bartender, driven by his love for the art of mixing, collecting experiences in important cities like Rome, Milan, and Rimini. He later returned to Vico del Gargano, his hometown, opening his own place to unleash his creativity, in a journey that will culminate in the birth of Gargano.
In the production of his Gin Gargano, Riccardo Santovito employs numerous species of botanicals from the Gargano area, such as juniper from the Foresta Umbra, oregano and rosemary from Vico del Gargano, and bay leaf and mandarin from Rodi Garganico, but also coriander, marjoram, zedoary turmeric, iris, wild sloe, yellow grapefruit, pomegranate, hibiscus, cinnamon, and clove. The distillation method for the Dry Gin follows the artisanal London Dry process, with the 9 botanicals used being first distilled individually and then blended and distilled a second time.
There are two main Gins produced by Gargano: Sloe Gin and Dry Gin. The characteristics of Riccardo Santovito's distillates are the intoxicating aromas and the strong personality, with the Gins representing an authentic expression of the Gargano territory. Thanks to its excellent quality, Gargano Sloe Gin won the silver medal at The Global Gin Masters competition in 2022 organized by The Spirits Business, chaired by a group of spirits and liquor specialists who award the best Gins from around the world through a blind tasting.
The Gargano project was born in the homonymous area of Puglia in the province of Foggia, also nicknamed "the spur of Italy" due to its peculiar geographical position, where with passion and enthusiasm the young Riccardo Santovito conceived and founded Gin Gargano in 2021. He uses local botanicals and relies on the master distiller Alfredo La Cava of the Distillerie Subalpine in Chieri, in Piemonte, for the production process. At just 18 years old, Riccardo began working as a bartender, driven by his love for the art of mixing, collecting experiences in important cities like Rome, Milan, and Rimini. He later returned to Vico del Gargano, his hometown, opening his own place to unleash his creativity, in a journey that will culminate in the birth of Gargano.
In the production of his Gin Gargano, Riccardo Santovito employs numerous species of botanicals from the Gargano area, such as juniper from the Foresta Umbra, oregano and rosemary from Vico del Gargano, and bay leaf and mandarin from Rodi Garganico, but also coriander, marjoram, zedoary turmeric, iris, wild sloe, yellow grapefruit, pomegranate, hibiscus, cinnamon, and clove. The distillation method for the Dry Gin follows the artisanal London Dry process, with the 9 botanicals used being first distilled individually and then blended and distilled a second time.
There are two main Gins produced by Gargano: Sloe Gin and Dry Gin. The characteristics of Riccardo Santovito's distillates are the intoxicating aromas and the strong personality, with the Gins representing an authentic expression of the Gargano territory. Thanks to its excellent quality, Gargano Sloe Gin won the silver medal at The Global Gin Masters competition in 2022 organized by The Spirits Business, chaired by a group of spirits and liquor specialists who award the best Gins from around the world through a blind tasting.
