The history of this company began in Crodo, in the Antigorio Valley, on 28 July 1965. There, Piero Ginocchi, an entrepreneur from Parma and president and owner of Terme di Crodo, had an idea that was as simple as it was revolutionary: to create a non-alcoholic aperitif with a recognisable taste that could become the calling card for making the mineral waters of the area famous.
To achieve this, he convinced a friend and exceptional collaborator, the oenologist Maurizio Gozzellino, known as the “wizard of essences”. Gozzellino moved to Crodo in the early 1960s and worked for years on a unique formula, made from infusions of spices, herbs and roots from all continents, enriched with citrus notes and a perfect balance between sweet and bitter.
From the first recipe to instant success
In 1964, the recipe was ready, and the following year, Società Anonima Terme di Crodo launched the first 53,855 bottles of Crodino onto the market. The original name was “Così”, but it did not last long: the idea of naming it after its place of origin, Crodo, prevailed, making it immediately familiar.
It was an instant success, particularly among women, who appreciated its light and refined taste. Launched during the golden age of Carosello, Crodino made a name for itself thanks to creative advertising campaigns and exceptional testimonials. One of the first faces to appear was Raffaele Pisu. Still, it was Brigitte Bardot, the international cinema icon who made “the non-alcoholic blonde” irresistibly glamorous in the 1970s, who really brought it into the collective imagination.
A symbol of Made in Italy
Since the 1960s, Crodino has grown alongside Italy. It has been a loyal companion for aperitifs at home and in bars, but also a brand capable of adapting to the times, renewing its image and communication without ever losing its essence.
In 1995, it became part of the Campari Group, which strengthened its position as an international icon. Since 2024, it has been produced in the modern factory in Novi Ligure (AL), which makes millions of bottles every year, generating hundreds of millions in turnover.
Sixty years and a glance overseas
In 2025, Crodino celebrated its first 60 years, proving that some ideas never grow old. It did so by looking not only to the past, but above all to the future. After conquering Europe, the brand is now targeting the American market, where it is presented as “The Italian non-alcoholic Spritz”. It is already available in strategic states such as California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, sold in packs of four bottles at a price of around $15.
From a small town in Piedmont to international cities, Crodino represents the essence of Made in Italy: creativity, quality and the ability to reinvent itself while remaining authentic. It is the non-alcoholic aperitif that sets the standard and still accompanies millions of people today in a light, timeless toast.
Congratulations to those who, for sixty years, have proudly brought the world’s most famous non-alcoholic aperitif to the world.
Learn about other outstanding companies from Piedmont.