There is something special about Ferrarelle water, and it is not just its natural effervescence. It is a story that has been flowing for over 2000 years, a weave of tradition, excellence, and innovation that today brings Made in Italy to the world.
It all starts in Riardo, in the province of Caserta, where this water, with a unique flavour and properties, gushes out from a natural geyser. The name Ferrarelle comes from the ancient Abbey of Santa Maria della Ferraia, located near the spring. Pliny the Elder, the famous Roman naturalist, already praised its virtues. And what about Giuseppe Garibaldi? After his well-known meeting in Teano with Victor Emmanuel II, he is said to have recovered from his labours thanks to this celebrated water.
A pioneering vision
It was Giuseppe De Ponte who, in 1893, realised that he had a real treasure on his hands and decided to bottle that ‘acidulous and sparkling’ water. Then, with a brilliant intuition, he moved the company’s headquarters to Rome, dressing his creature in the Tricolour colours: green for the bottle, white and red for the label. A choice that even then celebrated Italian pride.
Since then, the journey has been long and full of changes. The company has changed hands several times, but in 2005, it became 100% Italian again. Today, Ferrarelle is a Benefit Company with Carlo Pontecorvo as President and CEO and Marco Pesaresi as General Manager; it has 430 employees and promotes a business model that combines economic success with respect for the environment and social responsibility. The Ferrarelle group also includes Acqua Vitasnella, Fonte Essenziale, Boario, Natía, Santagata and Roccafina among its brands. In 2017, the company expanded into a sector other than water by acquiring the chocolate brand Amedei.
Innovation and sustainability
One of the best examples of Ferrarelle’s commitment is the plastic recycling plant in Presenzano, in the province of Caserta. Here, the company produces R-PET bottles, helping to reduce environmental impact and give plastic a second life. But that’s not all. The Parco Sorgenti Ferrarelle in Riardo is a 145-hectare oasis where nature and production coexist harmoniously. It symbolises the company’s philosophy of putting sustainability at the centre.
An Italian symbol in the world
With its famous slogan ‘Still, sparkling or Ferrarelle?’, this water has become an integral part of Italian culture. And it has spread its wings: today, Ferrarelle is exported to more than 40 countries, carrying a message of Italian quality and lifestyle.
Every sip of Ferrarelle tells a story of tradition and innovation. It tells how Italy knows how to enhance its past and look to the future with an eye to sustainability and excellence.
Congratulations to those who bring Italian water to the world!
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