Campari Group

The first century

Campari Group traces its beginnings back to 1860, with the birth of its flagship brand and signature, red aperitif beverage Campari. Born in 1828, Gaspare Campari, the inventor of the recipe, was the 10th child of a farming family. Deciding to open his own bar, it became so successful that he opened another in the heart of Milan, making his own cordials, cream liqueurs and bitters in the basement. His choice of location near the Duomo coincided with the opening of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, contributing to the fame of its bar and its bitters, then called Bitter all'Uso d'Olanda, which became extremely popular at the time.[5]

In 1904 the historic production site at Sesto San Giovanni was inaugurated. It would remain in operation until 2005 when a new production site was opened in Novi Ligure.

In 1926 Davide, Gaspare's son, transformed the company by dropping the production of all drinks other than a Campari bitter and Cordial Campari. Davide dedicated his considerable energy and determination to making the brand known across the world.[6]

In 1932 Camparisoda, the first single-serve aperitif in the world, was launched. The bottle was designed by Fortunato Depero, one of the most famous Futurist artists of the time. The iconic bottle,[7] unchanged to this day, has become a symbol of everyday "usable" design objects in Italy and the world. Depero's invention had many highly innovative features. It was the first single-dose product, it was ready for consumption and it contained the perfect pre-dinner drink mix of Campari and soda. The bottle's striking design resembled an upside down glass.

Davide Campari died in 1936; ten years later, the company incorporated as Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. The company remained concentrated on this core product for most of the rest of the century, even after Domenico Garavoglia gained control of it in the 1970s.[8]

1990-Today

In the 1990s, the consolidation of the global drinks market led Campari to build its own portfolio of brands.[9] In 1995, Campari acquired the Italian branch of the Dutch Group BolsWessanen, which distributed Crodino, Cynar, Lemonsoda, Oransoda, Biancosarti and Crodo.[10] In 1998, Campari acquired a minority stake in Skyy Spirits LLC, owner of SKYY vodka, along with the world distribution rights (except for the USA). In return, Skyy Spirits LLC became the distributor for the whole Campari portfolio in the US. Campari acquired the Italian distribution rights of Lipton Ice Tea (1998),[11] the anise-based Greek spirit Ouzo 12 (1999), the Italian vermouth Cinzano (1999).[12]

In July 2001, the group completed its IPO on the Borsa Italiana, in Italy's biggest IPO of the year.[13] The shares were priced at the lower end of the indicative price range of 30 to 38. The initial public offering was three times oversubscribed.

The group later acquired leading brands like the Dreher aguardiente, the Old Eight, Drury's, Gregson's and Gold Cup whiskies and Liebfraumilch wine. Campari acquired Zedda Piras S.p.A. (Mirto di Sardegna), owning a majority stake in Sella & Mosca S.p.A. (2002), the sparkling white wine Riccadonna (2003), Barbero 1891 S.p.A.owner of brands Aperol, Aperol Soda, Barbieri, Mondoro, Enrico Serafino (2003),[14] and the Tuscan winery Teruzzi & Puthod.

In 2006, Campari Group entered the Scotch whisky segment by acquiring from Pernod Ricard the brands Glen Grant (including its distillery), Old Smuggler and Braemar,[15] and the tequila segment in 2007 with the acquisition of Cabo Wabo tequila (founded by Sammy Hagar).[16] In 2009, the Campari Group bought the Kentucky bourbon whiskey group Wild Turkey and its distillery in Lawrenceburg from Pernod Ricard.[17]

In 2010, Campari Group announced an agreement to acquire Carolans Irish Cream, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur and Irish Mist Whiskey Honey Liqueur.

On July 6, 2011, Campari Group celebrated the tenth anniversary of its listing on Borsa Italiana.

In December 2012, Campari Group announced the successful acquisition of Lascelles deMercado & Co. Limited, including four brands: Appleton Estate, Appleton Special/White, Wray & Nephew, and Coruba, the related upstream supply chain and the local distribution company.[18]

In 2014, Campari Group announced the successful acquisition of Averna, Italy's second best-selling bitter, at 103.75 million euros ($143 million). The Averna group owns a portfolio of premium brands, among which are Braulio, a herb-based bitter, and Grappa Frattina, through which Campari entered the grappa category.[19]

In March 2014, Campari Group purchased Canadian whisky producer Forty Creek Distillery Ltd. for $185.6 million (Canadian). The sale included 100% of the distillery, including all Forty Creek facilities and whisky stocks. Founder John Hall stayed on as master distiller and blender.

Campari Group's biggest acquisition to date was of Grand Marnier in 2016.[20] In 2017, Campari acquired Bulldog London Dry Gin[21] and then acquired French brand Bisquit Cognac in 2018.[22]

In 2019, Campari Group purchased Rhumantilles, maker of French rums Trois Rivières and Maison La Mauny;[23] as well as Licorera Ancho Reyes and Casa Montelobos.[24]

Campari Group celebrated its 160th anniversary that year with the Infinito Campari installation, designed by sculptor Oliviero Rainaldi.[25] The company also curated The Spiritheque, an editorial collection of illustrated and animated stories relaying anecdotes behind the main brands of Campari Group's product portfolio represented in a virtual art gallery.[26]

2021 marked Campari Group's 20th anniversary on the Italian Stock Exchange.[27] In August 2022, Campari Group acquired a 15% stake in Howler Head, a flavoured bourbon brand from Catalyst Spirits.[28] In October 2022, the Campari Group had acquired a minority stake in the global spirits incubator Catalyst Sprits for an undisclosed sum,[29] and 70% stake of the Wilderness Trail Distillery for $420 million.[30]

In December 2023, Campari bought the cognac Courvoisier from Beam Suntory.[31] The purchase was completed in May 2024.[32]

On June 26, 2025, Campari Group announced the sale of Cinzano for 100 million euros to the Gruppo Caffo 1915.[33]

On October 31, 2025 Italian tax police announced they had seized shares worth 1.29 billion euros ($1.5 billion) from Luxembourg-based Lagfin SCA, the holding company that controls Campari, over alleged tax evasion. Lagfin SCA denied any wrongdoing and said in a statement that it would defend its position "vigorously and serenely in all competent forums".[34]

On 18 December 2025, Campari Group announced the sale of Averna and Zedda Piras.[35][36]