What makes it authentic

OUR FIRST AND MAIN INGREDIENT

The Ovale di Sorrento

Limoncello Artigianale is made exclusively with the Ovale di Sorrento, a superior lemon with a P.G.I. (Protected geographical indication) certification that guarantees its authenticity. Its aroma, balance, and richness of essential oils make this unique citrus fruit ideal for producing Limoncello Artigianale. The Ovale di Sorrento is endemic of the area since the 16th century, and the first crops date to the 17th century, with evidence found in sales acts, paintings, and literary and botanical treatises. The Ovale is a medium/large-sized and oval-shaped fruit with an aromatic yellow peel and a particularly juicy, tart pulp.

It’s grown and cared for by knowledgeable local farmers and sheltered in the shadow of “pagliarelle”. These are traditional pergolas made by local growers using chestnut wood and protection nets to cover the lemon trees underneath and shelter them from cold and wind. This traditional practice creates a micro-climate within the grove, slowing-down the fruit-ripening process and giving the Ovale di Sorrento time to develop its unique aroma and taste. P.G.I. Sorrento Lemons used to produce Limoncello Artigianale are sourced directly from the farmers, after a thorough selection during the harvest. A further selection occurs in the factory during the peeling process to choose the best peels that will be infused in alcohol.

Limoncello Artigianale is made exclusively with the Ovale di Sorrento, a superior lemon with a P.G.I. (Protected geographical indication) certification that guarantees its authenticity. Its aroma, balance, and richness of essential oils make this unique citrus fruit ideal for producing Limoncello Artigianale. The Ovale di Sorrento is endemic of the area since the 16th century, and the first crops date to the 17th century, with evidence found in sales acts, paintings, and literary and botanical treatises. The area has a typically mild Mediterranean climate, ideal for growing lemons. Like in the past, today the lemon groves lie on the slopes of the Sorrento peninsula descending towards the sea. Thanks to the mild climate and clay soil of volcanic origin, these lands give great tasting produce. The lemon groves here are called “giardini”; their main feature are the wooden pergolas which hold protection nets that cover the lemon trees underneath. This practice shelters the plants from cold and wind, thus creating a micro-climate within the grove and causing the fruit-ripening process to slow down, another key feature of these unique lemons. The P.G.I. Sorrento Lemons used to make Limoncello Artigianale are sourced directly from the farmers, after a thorough selection during the harvest. A further selection occurs in the factory during the peeling process to choose the best peels that will be infused in alcohol.

Limoncello Artigianale - Sorrento lemon PGI

OUR PROCESS

The making of Limoncello Artigianale

Growing

P.G.I. (Protected Geographical Indication) Sorrento Lemons are grown in every municipality of the Sorrento peninsula and on the whole. Growing Sorrento Lemons according to the traditional method requires a lot of manpower: their tree branches are grafted by hand on stronger citrus plants, in order to improve the orchard resilience and productivity. The entire growing process, from the pollinated flower to the harvested fruit, requires between 11 and 14 months.
La coltivazione dell’Ovale di Sorrento avviene in tutti i comuni della penisola sorrentina. Svolta secondo il metodo tradizionale, richiede molto lavoro ed esperta manodopera. I rami di Limone di Sorrento I.G.P. (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) vengono innestati a mano su alberi da agrume più forti, per garantire una migliore resistenza e produttività. Il processo di crescita, da fiore impollinato a limone giallo raccolto e selezionato, richiede dagli 11 ai 14 mesi.

The lemon groves

The lemon groves lie on the slopes of the Sorrento peninsula, descending towards the sea. Thanks to the mild climate and clay soil of volcanic origin, these lands give great tasting produce. The lemon groves are called “giardini”; their main feature are the wooden pergolas which hold protection nets that cover the lemon trees underneath. This practice shelters the plants from cold and wind, thus creating a micro-climate within the grove and causing the fruit-ripening process to slow down.
Si adagiano sulle pendici della penisola sorrentina e degradano lentamente verso il mare. La favorevole combinazione del clima e la natura argillosa del suolo vulcanico danno origine a un prodotto dalle caratteristiche organolettiche uniche e superiori. Chiamati anche "giardini", la loro principale caratteristica sono gli imponenti pergolati in legno che coprono gli alberi di limone, proteggendoli dal freddo e dal vento e creando un microclima che rallenta in maniera naturale la maturazione dei frutti.

Harvesting

The Ovale di Sorrento trees bloom up to four times a year thanks to their unique characteristics and the protection of the wooden pergolas, hence the fruits can be picked from February to October. The production guidelines of P.G.I. Sorrento lemons require a rest phase, with the aim of strengthening the life cycle of the trees.
Grazie ai pergolati in legno e alle caratteristiche di questo limone, l’albero dell’Ovale di Sorrento effettua fino a quattro fioriture all’anno. È per questo che la raccolta può avvenire in un periodo più esteso che va da febbraio a ottobre. Il disciplinare prevede ogni anno un periodo di fermo biologico, per rafforzare il ciclo di vita delle piante.

Selection

The lemons used to make Limoncello Artigianale are sourced directly from the farmers. The best lemons are selected according to high-quality standards which define the shape, the colour and the flawlessness of the fruits. This stage is carried out twice: first in the fields during the harvest and later in the Fabbrica Trasparente during the peeling process.
I limoni utilizzati per la produzione di Limoncello Artigianale vengono acquistati direttamente dai contadini. La selezione dei migliori frutti viene eseguita secondo standard qualitativi molto scrupolosi che guardano alla forma, al colore e, in generale, alla perfezione del frutto. Questa fase si svolge in due momenti: in campagna durante la raccolta e all’interno della Fabbrica Trasparente durante la pelatura.

Peeling

The selected lemons are washed and peeled within 48 hours from harvest. Their precious peels are rich in essential oils: it’s critical to carefully remove the spongy, bitter white pith from the paper-thin, aromatic yellow peel.
Entro 48 ore dalla raccolta si procede con il lavaggio e la pelatura dei limoni selezionati, da cui si ottengono le preziose bucce, ricche di oli essenziali. È importantissimo ricavare solo la parte gialla della buccia, aromatica e sottile, scartando accuratamente quella bianca, amara e spugnosa.

Infusion

The P.G.I. Sorrento lemon peels are then infused in grain-based alcohol for one week at constant temperature.
Successivamente, le bucce del Limone di Sorrento I.G.P. vengono infuse per una settimana a temperatura costante in alcool ottenuto da cereali.

Mixing

The infused alcohol is filtered and then mixed with cold purified water and sugar. Nothing else: no artificial colourings, no preservatives. Our Limoncello is ready!
L’infuso, una volta filtrato, viene miscelato con acqua fredda e depurata e, per ultimo, viene aggiunto lo zucchero. Nient'altro: né coloranti né conservanti. Ecco che il nostro Limoncello è pronto!

Bottling

Before being bottled, Limoncello Artigianale undergoes further strict quality controls. It can only be bottled only after successfully passing these tests and then it’s ready to take the flavours of our island all over the world.
Prima di essere imbottigliato, Limoncello Artigianale viene sottoposto a ulteriori attenti controlli di qualità. Solo una volta superati tutti i test può essere imbottigliato. A questo punto, è pronto a partire per portare al mondo intero i sentori di questi luoghi.

FROM HARVESTING TO PEELING

Short supply chain

The main benefits are minimising spoiling and maximising the freshness of the finished product. Limoncello Artigianale has implemented a vertical integration strategy, monitoring the supply chain from start to finish, from the lemons all the way to the final product. We have rigorous criteria for selecting our suppliers, such as their presence on the P.G.I. (Protected Geographical Indication) registry and the scrutiny of the methods used for growing, trimming and harvesting.

The guidelines protecting P.G.I. Sorrento Lemons used for Limoncello Artigianale also regulate the processing area, which must be within the Sorrento peninsula. Only liqueurs made in this area can claim the “P.G.I. Sorrento Lemon” denomination and use the official badge on the label. The European regulation No. 110/2008 recognises the Geographical Indication for the “Sorrento Lemon liqueur” and states that the production process must follow the strict rules of the protocol.

The main benefits are minimising spoiling and maximising the freshness of the finished product. Limoncello Artigianale has implemented a vertical integration strategy, monitoring the supply chain from start to finish, from the lemons all the way to the final product. We have rigorous criteria for selecting our suppliers, such as their presence on the P.G.I. (Protected Geographical Indication) registry and the scrutiny of the methods used for growing, trimming and harvesting. The guidelines protecting P.G.I. Sorrento Lemons used for Limoncello Artigianale also regulate the processing area, which must be within the Sorrento peninsula. Only liqueurs made in this area can claim the “P.G.I. Sorrento Lemon” denomination and use the official badge on the label. The European regulation No. 110/2008 recognises the Geographical Indication for the “Sorrento Lemon liqueur” and states that the production process must follow the strict rules of the protocol.

OUR BRAND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS

Limoncello Artigianale. Crema di Limoncello Artigianale, Meloncello Artigianale