From Modern Classics to Accessible Culture on Villa Mamo, Terroir, and Scaling Cocktail Hospitality with Federico Riezzo
In continuing their conversation, Chris Maffeo talks to Federico Riezzo about modern cocktail classics, Villa Mamo's terroir-driven approach, and scaling cocktail culture. Federico reflects on cocktail legends like Douglas Ankrah and the era that created enduring drinks like the Pornstar Martini, Penicillin, and Breakfast Martini, while exploring why new cocktails struggle to achieve lasting status in today's social media environment.
Learn about Villa Mamo, Federico's renovated 1786 Tuscan farmhouse and boutique hospitality venue, where he collaborates with local foragers to create hyper-local botanical cocktails using terroir-driven ingredients. Discover Federico's lower ABV cocktail philosophy that encourages extended social drinking experiences and better guest engagement.
Chris and Federico examine the cocktail industry's workforce challenges, discussing how modern bartenders increasingly prioritize technical innovation over essential hospitality skills like guest reading and relationship building.
Perfect for bar managers, hospitality professionals, cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone interested in sustainable cocktail culture, terroir-driven mixology, and the future of the bar industry.
Timestamps:
00:00 From Douglas Ankrah's Porn Star Martini to the other Modern Classics
08:15 Cocktail Culture Gap Analysis
16:30 Villa Mamo's Terroir Approach
24:45 Lower ABV Philosophy and Social Drinking
32:20 Industry Workforce Challenges
40:04 Future of Hospitality and Scaling Culture
Episode Analysis
If the above resonates, it's because you've lived it.
Drinks Builders like you know what needs to happen. The struggle is bringing everyone else with you.
I've been there. You know the frustration. You can see what needs to happen, but the ecosystem pulls in different directions. Colleagues, partners, distributors, investors. All with their own pressures and timelines.
I've spent twenty years navigating this complexity. What follows is a methodology for bringing people with you and actually getting there.
Paid content for Drinks Builders serious about their work. 👇🏻
