It is the first artisanal distillery in Milan, opened in 2022 after two years of planning. Angelo Zhao, the founder and master distiller of the distillery, has an interesting objective to create "a bridge between different cultures" through his products. He had a chat with our Marketing Manager, Manuel Barison, enthusiastically sharing his story and how his company came to be.
Hello Angelo, thank you for having us. We were intrigued by the way you named your project "A bridge between diverse cultures." Can you tell us a bit about the origin of this vision and how your passion for distillation began?
Hello Manuel,
Thank you for inviting me and for your interest in my project. I'm delighted to be able to share with you my passion for distillation and the story behind the "A bridge between different cultures" project.
It all started about ten years ago during a very boozy evening of wine at my father-in-law's house. Despite not having a particular passion for spirits, my father-in-law brought out a rice-based liquor from China, made by his grandfather. After much insistence, I tasted it, and in that instant, it was love at first sip. I experienced the explosion of the flavor of cooked rice in my mouth, and I literally finished the entire bottle. The next day, I woke up with a strong curiosity about distillation and how that rice-based liquor was made.
And that's where my passion for distillation was born. I started studying at the Conegliano Veneto Wine School as a master distiller to learn more about the world of spirits and distillation. After the course, my ideas became clearer, and I was also fortunate to come across your company.
The name of the project "A bridge between diverse cultures," was inspired by a phrase spoken by Renzo Piano during the inauguration of the New Bridge in Genoa. Piano said, "We need more bridges and fewer walls." This phrase triggered something in my mind, and I began to think about a product that could unite the East and the West. After searching for a common denominator between these two cultures, I found the perfect element in tea culture. Matcha, the quintessential Japanese tea, embodies the highest prestige throughout Asia, while in the Western world, I saw the Italian and European liquor tradition. Just think about how many liqueurs we have in Italy, from Valtellina to Sicily, and in Europe, to understand the strength of this tradition.
Based on this concept, we created the product Matchancello: a liqueur obtained by infusing Matcha tea, following the Japanese tradition, and subsequently transformed into a liquor through an artisanal process. Our identity is characterized by the choice to replace a significant portion of the sugar, typically found in traditional liqueurs, with exquisite organic honey.
Tell us about your gin as well. You recently launched some new lines, right?
Our original gin is distilled using your equipment; the real uniqueness lies in the choice of organic Tuscan juniper. This type of juniper has very citrusy notes that distinguish it from the more resinous and woody notes typical of common juniper. This makes our gin a unique and refined product.
Furthermore, we have just launched new lines of gin that we are very excited to present. We have created a Sanguinello Gin, made with an infusion of Italian red oranges. This gin has a fruity aroma and a fresh, citrusy flavor. We also created a Basil Gin, characterized by its fresh and spicy aroma, perfect for a light and refreshing aperitif. Lastly, we have crafted a Saffron Gin, known for its delicate and sophisticated taste.
If you visit our distillery, you will appreciate our originality not only in the taste of our gins but also in the attention we pay to the bottles and labels, which provide a holistic sensory experience.
Thank you very much, Angelo. I will definitely come by to try these new gins as soon as I get the chance.
Choosing the right equipment is crucial, especially for a startup like yours, where the master distillers also handle other tasks such as administration, marketing, sales, logistics, etc. Having an efficient and solid system gives you production security. What type of equipment do you use in your distillery?
I firmly believe that choosing the right equipment is one of the most important steps in starting a successful business. The equipment represents the foundation on which the entire production process is built, and it is essential that it is efficient, versatile, and able to combine tradition and technology.
I want to sincerely thank your company for supporting me from the beginning, providing the necessary assistance to start my business. Thanks to your experience and professionalism, I was able to make the best choice for my equipment, a discontinuous bain-marie still. This system is incredibly dynamic and versatile, allowing me to distill both liquids and solids. This gives me the ability to produce a wide range of high-quality products, from grappa to gin to whiskey.
How has it been working with our company?
This question requires a detailed and in-depth answer. One could write a book documenting everything we have done and what you have done. Starting from the sales and consultancy phase, you listened to my input and collaborated with me to study the equipment and necessary accessories to achieve the desired products with the most efficient and streamlined production process possible. In Massimo Barison, I found a competent, experienced, and helpful professional.
Even in the installation phase, I was impressed by your approach: unlike other quotes I have seen from my friends, where it seemed like they were just provided with the equipment and left alone to assemble it in the distillery. With you, I had a 360-degree support for the entire work, including advice on where to drill the walls for ventilation and internal and external piping. Thanks to your expertise and our work together, we were able to start the distillery within the expected timeframe, despite the many complexities to manage in this industry.
I would also like to emphasize the availability of the site manager at the end of the works. During the testing phase, unforeseen issues can arise, but I always found great responsiveness to my requests and prompt solutions to resolve problems.
Thank you very much for your kind words. For us, 360-degree support is essential to ensure the quality of our products and services. Let's talk about a sensitive topic for those who want to open a distillery: what type of excise duty do you have, and what are the important documents to manage?
From our perspective, we have opted for a suspended excise license that allows us to distill a wide range of raw materials that are then fermented, including grapes, apples, barley, and rice. However, it is important to note that any choice involves many regulations and procedures to follow, such as filling out customs registers and managing state stamps and transport electronic administrative documents (EADs), which require special attention and extensive experience.
What are other variables to consider for those who want to make distillation their work?
In addition to the variables already mentioned, there are other factors to consider, such as Atex zones for the flammability of alcohol, the presence of fire extinguishers, and the proper management of distillation waste. All of this requires a certain level of knowledge and attention from new distillers.
Personally, I am grateful for the patience and availability of the customs officials from the Monopolies of Milan and the Milan Fire Department during the process of opening my distillery. At the beginning, I had little preparation and needed many calls to get the right answers, but they were very patient and helpful.
Do you think that for a startup like yours, it is crucial to study a detailed business plan before starting?
I believe that having a detailed business plan is crucial before starting the business. A well-structured business plan provides a clear and defined strategy on which to base your decisions. It also allows you to anticipate any problems and identify the most suitable solutions to solve them.
However, it is important to remember that the business landscape is constantly evolving, and you will encounter new challenges as your business grows. At this stage, it is important to remain flexible and ready to find creative and immediate solutions.
I believe that a detailed business plan is an essential tool for the success of a startup, but one must also be prepared to manage unforeseen circumstances in a creative way. In distillery, as in other industries, you never know what might happen...
It has been almost a year since you opened the distillery. When you look back, what were the goals you set for yourself and have you achieved them? Did you expect more or fewer difficulties?
Nine months have passed since I obtained all the necessary authorizations to start the business, and I can say that I have achieved the goals I set for myself. However, I am aware that the path ahead is like a marathon, and I am still in the first thirty minutes. There is still a long way to go, and I know there will be challenging moments.
I am ready to face the challenges that will arise with the same determination and commitment that have allowed me to achieve my goals so far. I am aware that it will require a lot of work and dedication, but I am confident that with passion, perseverance, and the right mindset, I will achieve the success I dream of for my business.
What would you feel like recommending to someone who, like you, wants to turn their passion for spirits into a profession?
My advice to those who want to pursue this path is to never stop dreaming and believing in themselves. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. However, it's important to keep in mind that realizing your dreams requires a lot of determination, commitment, and perseverance.
Don't be afraid to face the challenges that come along the way, but rather embrace the challenge and fight wholeheartedly to reach your goals. There will be sacrifices, but nothing can compare to the satisfaction of seeing your dreams become a reality.
In summary, never settle for less, but instead, accept the challenge and fight for what you desire. Life is too short to live with regrets: seize every opportunity and strive for your dreams with all your might.