At the heart of Italian liqueur tradition, the Pallini Distillery stands out for its continuity, tradition and innovation. Now in its fifth generation, it is known worldwide for its liqueurs and, in May 2025, celebrated its 150th anniversary, an occasion also marked by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (MIMIT) with the issue of a commemorative postage stamp.
The history of the Pallini Distillery, which has managed to survive the centuries while maintaining its values of authenticity and craftsmanship intact, intertwines family, territory, Italian taste and international expansion: a story that deserves to be told.
From fabrics to spirits
It all began in 1875, when Nicola Pallini, a fabric merchant originally from the Marche region, decided to settle in Antrodoco, a small village on the border between Lazio and Abruzzo. There he opened a shop where he sold fabrics and spirits.
The real step towards liqueur production came in 1922, when Nicola’s son, Virgilio Pallini, moved the business to Rome, to a strategic location near the Pantheon. This new location is home to a genuine distillery, where traditional liqueurs such as aniseed and mistrà are produced, much appreciated by Roman families and the city’s historic cafés. In just a few years, Pallini’s Mistrà became the anise liqueur of the capital.
The Tiburtina factory and foreign markets
In the 1960s, the third generation — represented by Giorgio and Nicola — moved production to the factory in Via Tiburtina in Rome, which remains Pallini’s historic headquarters today. This allowed the company to look beyond Italy’s borders: the first exports began, particularly to Europe and the United States.
In the following decades, Pallini consolidated its presence on domestic and international markets. Virgilio Pallini Jr., at the helm of the company, helped make Sambuca Romana an icon in the United States, launching memorable advertising campaigns.
Limoncello Pallini: global success
If there is one product that has made Italian distilleries famous worldwide, it is undoubtedly Limoncello Pallini. Still made today according to the original family recipe, limoncello is prepared with PGI lemons from the Amalfi Coast, harvested by hand and processed with artisan care. Its freshness and intense aroma are the result of careful processing that respects tradition, allowing the product to conquer palates all over the world. The company began exporting it in 1999, and today it is the best-selling limoncello in the world in the premium category.
Tradition and innovation
While remaining true to its roots, the Pallini Distillery has always been able to innovate: according to Micaela Pallini, ‘Pallini has the ability to evolve and innovate in its DNA’. Today, the range of liqueurs includes over 100 products, including spirits, liqueurs and syrups. In addition to the famous Limoncello, there is a variety of high-quality products: Sambuca, Amaretto, fruit liqueurs, creams and bitters. The latest addition is Amaro Formidabile, a modern, artisanal creation inspired by the ancient bitters of the Made in Italy tradition. The constant pursuit of excellence is combined with modern technologies, without ever abandoning the traditional methods that have made the distillery famous.
The family legacy and leadership of Micaela Pallini
Today, the company is led by the fifth generation, represented by Micaela Pallini, who is also the first female president of Federvini. With a degree in chemistry, Micaela joined the company in 2001 after working in academia. Under her leadership, Pallini has experienced strong international growth: today, it has a presence in 70 countries and an estimated 2024 turnover of €24.5 million. Micaela has worked on new formats and packaging, including a revamped image for limoncello, to celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary.
Congratulations to those who bring the flavours of Italy to the world!
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