Calabria and the Old Customs Warehouse were my life. Every day was like the first, we were engrossed in the work we loved more than anything else. We watched with passion as Giocondo, who had a flair for everything in his trade, a man of few words and a master of life. The botanicals in his hands expressed extraordinary and sometimes unthinkable things. The harvesting of bergamot and citron was a sacred time for him, and one that was sure to hold secrets. Jefferson was the most curious. He would always try to follow him, most often surreptitiously, to try to understand what the secret was to producing such a natural and unique bergamot and citron liqueur. We would leave, even before dawn, with his little cart and empty baskets to reach that magical place, even further south than the Old Customs Warehouse, four, maybe five hours away. Once there, I was struck by the scents in that wonderful garden, something unique and magical. Giocondo with much patience and control began picking the fruits one by one, which were sacred to him, he had a deep respect for the place. Once finished we set off for home, strangely enough I had the impression that it took much less time than the outward journey, perhaps it was because of the desire to fulfil a dream. When we arrived, Giocondo wasted no time in starting the work. I still remember his rough hands full of the essences of those wonderful fruits. He would complete the work by taking it to his 'Dark Room', no one could get in there. He always repeated: 'Silence!'. I always thought there was something secret and mysterious there. I hope that those who will be lucky enough to taste this liqueur will not seek explanations or mathematical formulas, but will experience the passion, the emotions and the sacrifices of those who work the land every day to create this.
Family heritage. So says the label. Products created by the skill of Maestro Giocondo, owner of the Vecchio Magazzino Doganale and expert in fruits, herbs and spices, but above all adoptive father and guide of our characters. From his rough hands come Bergamotto Fantastico and Diamante Cedro, from a careful selection of the symbolic fruits of Calabria: bergamot and cedar. They enhance their character served cold and original in blends.