The visionary and pioneer helped to revolutionize the grappa industry, elevating the product and category from rustic “sgnapa” to luxury spirit
Udine, Italy, July 19, 2024 – Benito Nonino, a pioneer in the grappa industry, passed away on the night of July 7, 2024 at the age of 90 in his home in Percoto, Udine of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Born in Percoto, Italy on February 6, 1934, Benito was a visionary whose passion and dedication helped transform grappa from a rustic spirit into a refined product, thus redefining the category. Together with his wife Giannola, whom he married in 1962, he turned the small family company that produced “sgnapa” into a brand known throughout the world. Benito represented the third generation of grappa distillers at Nonino Distillatori, which over the years expanded to produce Amaro, L’Aperitivo, and other Italian liqueurs.
Benito’s enthusiasm for distilling was a family heritage which he passed on to his daughters and grandchildren. His father, Antonio Nonino, grandson of Orazio Nonino who founded the distillery in 1897, passed away during World War II in 1940, leaving the distillery to Benito’s mother, Silvia. She became Italy’s first female master distiller.
Raised by a strong, independent mother during a time when Italian women were expected to be submissive and confined to domestic roles, Benito grew up observing her strength and autonomy firsthand. This upbringing instilled in him a deep respect for women’s talents and capabilities in the workforce. His genuine appreciation for supporting and encouraging women led him to marry a remarkable woman like Giannola, whose love and partnership were pivotal in the successes of Nonino Distillatori. The distillery was like a second home to Benito, a refuge where he spent time with his mother growing up, and the place where he taught the next generations the art of distillation. He and his wife’s three daughters, Cristina, Antonella, and Elisabetta, are in charge of the business today, and his granddaughter Francesca Nonino is the 6th generation global brand ambassador.
“Benito will always be our guide,” says Elisabetta, youngest daughter of Benito and Giannola and CEO of Nonino Distillatori. “We are deeply grateful for all that he passed on to us, and we will always follow and honor his teachings in the art of distillation and his love for life. He will always be in our hearts.”
Benito’s love and passion for grappa led him to build and operate a distillery that is unique in the world, aimed towards preserving the high quality and freshness of the primary ingredients—the grape pomace. Benito built a distillery with 66 artisanal pot stills to ensure the pomace would be immediately distilled after pressing only hours prior, even though it is customary in the industry to store pomace up to eight months. Additionally, using strictly fresh pomace limits Nonino’s distillation time to just 9-11 weeks during harvest, 24 hours a day, seven days a week—as opposed to year-round industry standards. Nonino’s practices ensure the pomace’s delicate aromas and flavors are preserved and the quality of their grappa maintained. Up until his very last harvest, Benito would wake up in the middle of the night to check the distillation process.
In 1973, Benito and Giannola revolutionized the industry by producing the first single-varietal grappa, Grappa Monovitigno® Picolit, using the rare, native Friulian grape variety—earning them the titles of “King and Queen of Grappa.” They recognized the potential in elevating the art of distillation, focusing on high quality ingredients to craft a product that celebrated the pomace left from winemaking instead of viewing it as an afterthought, as traditionally done. To further elevate the product, they bottled the grappa in ampoules of hand-blown Murano glass sealed with a silver-plated cork lid. This level of care and attention to grappa, from production to presentation, was unprecedented in Italy and the world.
Benito and his family went on to create single-variety grappas using the pomace of other grapes grown in their region, including Monovitigno® Chardonnay, Monovitigno® Merlot, and Monovitigno® Moscato, each with distinct flavors and aromas. In addition to their innovative work with grappa, they redefined Benito’s father’s original 1933 recipe to create Amaro Nonino Quintessentia®, an essential ingredient in the modern-day classic Paper Plane cocktail, which has gained significant popularity in the United States and has contributed to the broader appreciation and use of amaro in cocktails.
Benito additionally had a hand in the founding of the International Nonino Prize in 1975, which over the years has evolved into a prestigious literary prize. Winners of the Nonino Prize have been known to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. This initiative further cemented his legacy in the cultural and spirits communities.
Under Benito’s steadfast leadership, Nonino Distillatori grew into an international company. Today, as his daughters have taken over the helm of guiding the company, Nonino is well known throughout the USA, Europe, and China.
Benito’s passion for the distillery never waned. Despite being in a wheelchair for some time, even on the afternoon before his passing he asked to be taken to the distillery. Benito’s legacy is one of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. His innovative spirit and dedication to quality have left an indelible mark on the grappa industry.
Benito Nonino is survived by his wife Giannola, their daughters Antonella, Cristina, and Elisabetta, and his beloved eight grandchildren: Chiara, Davide, Francesca, Sofia, Gaia, Caterina, Costanza, and Beatrice. His passing is a profound loss to his family, the Nonino Distillatori team, and the entire spirits community. Nonino distillates will always embody the love and passion Benito devoted, all his life, to grappa.
About Nonino Distillatori
The art of distillation has been a Nonino Family privilege since its establishment in Italy in 1897. They continue to respect the tradition and rhythms of true craftmanship, using 100% artisanal methods to produce their inimitable Nonino Distillates. Devoted to research, quality, and innovation, each generation applies their acquired knowledge to refine and improve the family recipes. Their primary goal is to produce the highest quality products, allowing you to taste their love and appreciation for Friuli, Italy in every sip.
