The First Licensed Producer and Retailer of Sorrento Limoncello, Crafted by the D’Esposito Family

The love for limoncello runs through the veins of the D’Esposito family for over a century. In the early 1900s, Anna D’Esposito used to prepare homemade limoncello so delicious that friends and family kept asking for more. A small gesture of love that soon became a tradition, passed down from generation to generation.

In the 1980s, her son Antonino D’Esposito had an intuition that would change the history of Italian food: turning limoncello into a gastronomic souvenir for the tourists flocking to Capri and the Amalfi Coast. At the time, he was running a restaurant on the island of Capri, but he dreamed of creating something unique, capable of bringing the authentic flavors of his land to the world.

He shared his idea with a friend, who registered the trademark in 1988 before him. It was a heavy blow for Antonino, a deep disappointment. Someone had taken away an idea he felt was his own. But he didn’t give up. Driven by his vision, he left Capri and moved to Sorrento, where, together with his trusted collaborator Aldo Iaccarino, he created something far beyond a simple souvenir shop: he opened the first store with live production and tastings of artisanal limoncello.

This intuition marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Limonoro became the first officially licensed limoncello producer in Sorrento (UTIF license no. 1), and it was here that tradition transformed into a global icon.

Today, at Limonoro stores, every visitor can see, taste, and take home an authentic piece of Sorrento, in a sensory experience that transcends time. Because at Limonoro, you’re not just buying a liqueur – you’re tasting the love.

A Visionary Idea, A Story of Passion

Antonino D’Esposito envisioned a new way to enhance the value of Sorrento lemons, a fruit that has symbolized the Amalfi Coast for centuries, cultivated on terraces overlooking the sea. With the support of Aldo Iaccarino, who had extensive experience in crafting artisan perfumes in Capri, Antonino turned his dream into reality: Limonoro was born, the first licensed producer and retailer of limoncello in Sorrento.

Antonino didn’t just produce traditional limoncello—he introduced an innovation that is now a standard practice in retail: engaging customers with an immersive experience and turning them not just into clients but into brand ambassadors. With the rise of social media, tourists who visit the store can’t help but share their tasting experience and participation in the production process on their profiles, with friends and followers. This has helped create a community of enthusiastic users, who see the product as a symbol of their Sorrento vacation.

Limonoro was born as an experience, and the experience of the product is inseparable from the store itself, where each visitor can taste freshly made limoncello and discover the authentic flavors of the region.

The Connection to Tradition and the Land

Limonoro is more than just a brand; it’s a story of family, tradition, and passion for excellence. Every bottle contains the best of the Sorrento Peninsula: carefully selected IGP-certified lemons, a recipe passed down through generations, and a production process that respects traditional cold infusion methods.Sorrento and its unique landscape are the soul of every Limonoro product. Every sip takes you on a journey through the fragrant lemon groves and the sea breeze of the Sorrento & Amalfi Coast, telling a story of authentic flavors that transcend time.

Innovation with Respect for History

Starting with limoncello, Limonoro has expanded its product line over time, always maintaining a deep respect for quality and craftsmanship.

  • In the 1990s, the lemon cream liqueur was introduced, followed by the famous limoncello-infused babà, stuffed biscuits, and other artisanal pastry and chocolate specialties, created in collaboration with master pastry chefs from Sorrento.
  • Today, with the expertise of chocolate consultant Gabriele Rinaudo, the company continues to innovate, introducing new creations like limoncello-filled chocolates, pistachio and hazelnut specialties, and the latest Napolitains, thin squares of chocolate with a creamy, aromatic heart.

Who Is Behind Limonoro?

Limonoro is still a family-run business, carried forward with the same spirit and dedication as always. Passion for quality and the enhancement of the Sorrento territory are the principles guiding every choice—from the selection of ingredients to the in-store customer experience.Antonino D’ Esposito’s legacy continues with the new generation, leading the company toward the future through innovation, sustainability, and a strong presence in international markets.

Every Drop is Love: The Legacy of a Family

“Tasting the Love” is not just a tagline—it’s the essence of Limonoro. It’s the resilience of Antonino, who believed in his dream even when it seemed shattered. It’s the bond with his family, who turned a simple homemade recipe into a Campanian excellence loved worldwide.

Today, Antonino’s three children carry forward not only the Limonoro brand but an entire constellation of businesses dedicated to producing and distributing high-quality Campanian products.

The legacy of Antonino and Aldo lives on in every bottle, every cream-filled biscuit, every chocolate, all carrying the authentic taste of the Sorrento Peninsula.

Limonoro is more than a product: it’s a story of family, tradition, and passion that has crossed every border.

Every sip, every bite tells a piece of this story. And every story tastes like Sorrento.