{"id":180474,"date":"2026-09-02T12:28:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T10:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.altamuradistilleries.com\/?p=180474"},"modified":"2026-09-02T15:48:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T13:48:19","slug":"altamura-distilleries-appoints-lucia-montanelli-as-head-of-luxury-hospitality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.altamuradistilleries.com\/en\/press-release\/altamura-distilleries-appoints-lucia-montanelli-as-head-of-luxury-hospitality\/","title":{"rendered":"Altamura Distilleries appoints Lucia Montanelli as head of luxury hospitality"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ back_color=”color-125270″ back_image=”156599″ overlay_color=”color-125270″ overlay_alpha=”60″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ content_parallax=”0″ back_color_type=”uncode-palette” overlay_color_type=”uncode-palette” uncode_shortcode_id=”974210″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ align_horizontal=”align_center” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”4″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][vc_empty_space empty_h=”4″][vc_column_text el_class=”home-events” uncode_shortcode_id=”911198″]<\/p>\n

Altamura Distilleries appoints Lucia Montanelli as head of luxury hospitality<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ auto_height_device=”yes” content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”176776″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”121921″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”109003″ el_class=”pressrelease”]The internationally acclaimed bar professional will join the award winning Italian vodka brand.<\/p>\n

London, August 2026: Altamura Distilleries has appointed internationally acclaimed bar professional Lucia Montanelli as its new Head of Luxury Hospitality, strengthening the Italian vodka brand\u2019s relationships with the world\u2019s leading hotels, bars and hospitality professionals.<\/p>\n

Lucia will join Altamura Distilleries Lucia will join Altamura Distilleries as Head of Luxury Hospitality from 1st September, working with the brand on a part time basis while continuing her role as Bar Manager at Vesper Bar at The Dorchester. Her appointment brings together a celebrated luxury hospitality professional and an Italian brand united by a shared commitment to exceptional quality, craftsmanship and service.<\/p>\n

As Official Vodka Partner of The World\u2019s 50 Best Hotels, Altamura Distilleries is building a growing presence within international luxury hospitality. Lucia will work alongside Head of Brand Lorenzo Di Cola and the wider international team to lead the brand\u2019s engagement with the global hotel community.<\/p>\n

Her role will include developing premium on trade partnerships, creating luxury hospitality experiences, delivering education and masterclasses, and representing Altamura Distilleries Vodka at selected international events. She will also help ensure that service, education and genuine hospitality remain central to the brand\u2019s global growth.<\/p>\n

Lucia began her hospitality career in Viareggio, Italy, before working in Florence and moving to London. After an initial position at a five star hotel in St James\u2019s, she joined The Dorchester in a floor based role and progressed through the ranks to bartender, senior bartender and head mixologist. She has led Vesper Bar as Bar Manager for the past three years.<\/p>\n

Her career spans more than 20 years and encompasses high volume venues and world renowned luxury hotel bars. Alongside her cocktail expertise, she has built an international reputation for operational leadership, training, mentoring and the consistent delivery of exceptional guest experiences.<\/p>\n

Lucia\u2019s competition achievements include winning the United Kingdom Bartenders\u2019 Guild National Cocktail Competition in 2015. She subsequently represented the UK at the IBA World Cocktail Championships in Tokyo, winning Gold in the Sparkling category and Bronze overall against competitors from more than 60 countries. In 2019, she won the global Beluga Signature Competition, adding to numerous awards secured across European, Italian and UK competitions.<\/p>\n

Lucia is also an established educator and industry advocate. She delivers seminars and masterclasses, judges international bartending and spirits competitions, and mentors emerging talent. She has been involved with the Ada Coleman Project since its early development.
\nFrank Grillo, Co-founder of Altamura Distilleries, said: \u201cLucia represents everything Altamura stands for: Italian heritage, world class craftsmanship, uncompromising quality and an instinctive understanding of exceptional hospitality.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer journey from Viareggio to leading Vesper Bar at The Dorchester is remarkable. She has earned an international reputation not only as an outstanding bartender, but as a leader, educator and mentor. As Official Vodka Partner of The World\u2019s 50 Best Hotels, we are building meaningful relationships with the people and venues shaping luxury hospitality. Lucia\u2019s experience and understanding of the international hotel community will be invaluable as we introduce Altamura Vodka to more exceptional destinations around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lucia Montanelli, incoming Head of Luxury Hospitality at Altamura Distilleries, added: \u201cAltamura Distilleries Vodka\u2019s authentic connection to Italy and its commitment to quality, detail and service align perfectly with my approach to luxury hospitality. I look forward to supporting the brand\u2019s international growth, creating memorable experiences and building lasting relationships across the global hospitality community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lucia\u2019s appointment forms part of Altamura Distilleries\u2019 continued investment in its international team and its ambition to become a defining vodka within global luxury hospitality.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ back_color=”color-lxmt” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ auto_height_device=”yes” content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”977663″ back_color_type=”uncode-palette”][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ align_horizontal=”align_center” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”777078″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”801204″ el_class=”pressrelease”]Notes to editors:<\/strong>
\nAltamura Distilleries is the creator of the world\u2019s first vodka distilled entirely from 100% Altamura durum wheat – the same PDO-protected grain behind Pane di Altamura, the world\u2019s only bread with Protected Designation of Origin status.
\nFounded by Frank Grillo and Steve Acuna, two Americans who relocated to Puglia in southern Italy, Altamura Distilleries Vodka is triple distilled and bottled at 43% ABV to preserve the wheat\u2019s distinctive character: a smooth, full-bodied spirit with umami depth, cereal sweetness and a clean, warming finish.
\nTriple distilled and bottled at 43% ABV, Altamura Distilleries Vodka has quickly gained international recognition. Wine Enthusiast awarded the vodka 94 points, while the brand has received Double Gold and Best Imported Vodka at The Fifty Best, two Gold Medals at the Global Spirits Masters and Best International Vodka at the 2023 New Orleans Spirits Competition during Tales of the Cocktail.
\nIt was also named in the Drinks International Bartenders\u2019 Brands Report in 2026 and has served as the Official Vodka Partner of The World\u2019s 50 Best Hotels since 2025.
\nAltamura Distilleries Vodka is available in the United Kingdom and Italy via Amazon, in the United Kingdom via Master of Malt for \u00a332.50, and in the United States through the Altamura Distilleries website at www.altamuradistilleries.com.<\/p>\n

PRESS CONTACTS<\/strong>
\nAntoni Heatley | antoni@cutlasscomms.com | +44 (0)7852 985 773\u2028Tim Harfield | tim@cutlasscomms.com IG @altamuradistilleries | @cutlasscomms[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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