We Ask Industry Experts Chris Patino and Stacey Swenson About Co-Creating Villa Massa Vermouth

With a goal to develop a versatile vermouth suited to the current state of cocktail drinking culture, The Zamora Company turned to 20-year plus industry veterans Chris Patino and Stacey Swenson for their expertise.

Together, Chris and Stacey helped to create the formulas for Villa Massa Vermouth Giardino Tradizionale, Mediterranean Dry and Mediterranean Rosso, in partnership with The Zamora Company. We asked the duo about the vermouths and what makes them so special.

Talk to us about Villa Massa Vermouth. What inspired you when creating Villa Massa vermouth?

Chris: Growing up in an Italian family, dominated by Italian culture, I was always surrounded by what were at the time considered to be esoteric bottles of vermouth, amari, amaretto, limoncello, etc. In fact, my grandfather on my mom’s side, Frank Rosati, even owned an Italian bar and restaurant called Villa Rosati’s in Los Angeles in the 60’s & 70’s. So when we were approached by Villa Massa to help create a range of Italian vermouths, to say I was excited would be a huge understatement. Dreaming up botanicals that we could use in the vermouths was the best part, especially when it came to the Dry, as we were told that basically anything found in the Mediterranean was fair game. And I couldn’t be happier with the way that they turned out.

What should bartenders know about Villa Massa Vermouth?

Chris: Working with The Zamora Company to help create Villa Massa Vermouth Giardino has been an amazing experience. And in all fairness, the credit goes to them. But they wanted to make sure that it was a vermouth that served to suit the needs of the current state of cocktails and drinking culture, and that is where Stacey and I came in. We wanted to create something that was super well balanced, so that Vermouth Giardino would blend in seamlessly in cocktails, whether being used as a modifier or as the base of something low-ABV. And of course they are extremely well suited to drink on their own, over ice or with a splash of soda.

What makes it stand apart from other brands on the market?

Chris: I think what stands out the most about Vermouth Giardino is that it was created with cocktails in mind. Don’t get me wrong, the vermouths are great on their own, but we really delved deep into the anthology of drinks that call for aromatized wine, both classic and modern, to essentially kick the tires on the category, to see what it was capable of. But what I really like most about both of the Giardino Vermouths is that they are well balanced in a thought-provoking harmony of herbs and botanicals. Not one single flavor note dominates the overall flavor profile. And you can actually taste (and enjoy) the wine!

Chris Patino

Chris Patino is Co-Owner of Raised by Wolves, a highly acclaimed bar and spirits retail shop, that has helped to place San Diego squarely on the global drinks stage. A 20-year veteran of the spirits and cocktail scene, Chris is also Founder of Simple Serve, a trade-focused marketing agency servicing the drinks industry, as well as Co-Founder of Bartender’s Weekend in San Diego.

Chris is one of the most recognized and admired faces in the industry, thanks to his years served as National Brand Ambassador for Pernod Ricard and emceeing for large scale industry events, such as Tales of the Cocktail and Speed Rack. His work has earned accolades, including being featured among Beverage Media’s “2019 Bartenders to Watch” and a finalist for “Brand Ambassador of the Year” for three consecutive years at Tales of the Cocktail.

Stacey Swenson

Stacey Swenson, a 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry and native of Iowa, is one of the most passionate and sought-after talents on aperitivo and Italian drinking culture. Honing her craft as a bartender and mixologist in Chicago, Stacey relocated to New York some six years ago and in that time has held notable positions including head bartender at Dante (#1 World’s Best Bar, 2020), bar director at Bar Pisellino, bar director for Mattos Hospitality group opening Lodi and 9 Orchard hotel. Stacey was also awarded Star Chefs Rising Star Bartender of 2019.

Stacey is recognized and awarded for her sophisticated, balanced and outright fun interpretations of aperitivo and Italian classics as well as innovative low-proof offerings. As partner of drinks marketing collective Simple Serve, Stacey uses her expertise and acute industry knowledge to create cocktail programs and brand strategies for some of the most recognized names across the bar and spirits sectors.