From Pignola to the World
On a hillside in Basilicata, in the village of Pignola, a boy once stepped behind a bar for the very first time. That boy, Giancarlo Mancino, would grow into one of the most respected figures in the world of hospitality – bartender, consultant, entrepreneur, and cultural trailblazer – a man whose work has shaped cocktail culture on a global scale.
The Making of a Maestro
Giancarlo’s career took flight under the mentorship of industry icons like Cory Campbell and Salvatore Calabrese, combining technical mastery with Italian warmth and flair. Twice named “Best UK Bartender” in the early 2000s, he soon became sought after not just for his cocktails, but for his very Italian vision of hospitality as theatre, ritual and art.
That vision was further crystallised in Hong Kong, where he founded GiancarloBAR Ltd – a consultancy that redefined beverage programmes for some of the world’s most prestigious hotels, from the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton to Bulgari and Rosewood.
Bottling the Legacy
Consulting wasn’t enough for a man determined to make Italian drinking culture accessible everywhere. Giancarlo began bottling his craft, launching a portfolio of brands that quickly found their way into the hands of bartenders, sommeliers, and discerning drinkers alike:
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Mancino Vermouth became the artisanal benchmark for vermouth lovers worldwide.
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Rinomato Aperitivo celebrated Italy’s timeless aperitivo ritual with fresh relevance.
“Mancino doesn’t follow trends; he bottles legacies.”
These successes established Giancarlo as not just a bartender, but a brand-builder with a rare mix of authenticity and innovation.
The New Icons in Luxury Beverages: Bocktailed & SeiBellissimi
If his earlier ventures secured his legacy, his latest brands are shaping his future.
With Bocktailed, Giancarlo tackled one of the industry’s toughest challenges: how to make pre-batched, portable cocktails that retain the craftsmanship of a freshly stirred Negroni. The result is a line of premium packaged cocktails and cans that are as refined as they are convenient… cocktails you can trust to carry the Mancino signature, whether enjoyed on a terrace in Milan, a rooftop in New York, or on a long-haul flight in business class.
The brand brings the Italian aperitivo experience directly to modern hospitality, offering well-crafted classics like Spritz, Negroni Sbagliato, Hugo and non-alcoholic variants, all in portable, tactile formats. Beyond the pre-mixed offerings, Bocktailed also provides bespoke solutions: partnering with distilleries and specialised bottling sites to develop tailor-made recipes and formats (from cans to full-size bottles), as well as label design – giving brands the power to create signature cocktails that stay true to their identity.
“Bocktailed proves convenience doesn’t have to kill craftsmanship.”
Then came SeiBellissimi – a sparkling cocktail collection that embodies the joy, elegance, and theatre of Italian aperitivo culture. Effervescent, celebratory and distinctly stylish, SeiBellissimi captures la dolce vita in every pour.
“SeiBellissimi is la dolce vita—bottled, sparkling, and ready to pour.”
SeiBellissimi is Giancarlo Mancino’s elegant tribute to six timeless Italian cocktails, remastered for the modern palate. Anchored in notions of classicism and tradition, the collection reimagines beloved favourites such as the Bellini, Rossini, Mimosa, Puccini, Tintoretto and Raspini – each infused with a subtle avant-garde touch. The company aims to revive the art of sparkling Italian aperitifs by retaining their original charm while delivering refined, contemporary flavour.
Crafted entirely in Italy using natural vegan ingredients with no artificial colours or flavourings and no added sugar, SeiBellissimi was born to remaster the ritual of the Italian aperitivo, perfectly packaged with lightness and beauty in every bottle.
Where Bocktailed brings innovation and portability, SeiBellissimi offers timeless sophistication… and together, they represent Giancarlo’s vision for the next era of Italian hospitality. Always thinking one step ahead of the curve, both Bocktailed and SeiBellissimi have zero-alcohol / low-ABV options.
Beyond the Glass
Giancarlo’s brands have found their way onto some of the world’s biggest stages: “The World’s 50 Best Bars”, “The World’s 50 Best Hotels” and “50 Top Pizza”.
Beyond liquids, his collaborations with ITALESSE and UrbanBar UK have produced iconic glassware and bar tools, including the now-famous Classico Margot crystal collection, coveted by bartenders and collectors alike.
This year, marking a first for both brands, Bocktailed and SeiBellissimi are official partners of The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards, with the ceremony taking place in London on 30 October. SeiBellissimi are sponsoring a specific award category too: the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award 2025. Amalgamating the organiser’s years of experience as a market leader in specially curated lists of restaurants and bars, The World’s 50 Best Hotels celebrates and recognises exceptional hotel experiences using an expert panel of more than 800 global industry professionals. Cin cin!
“Partnering with The World’s 50 Best Hotels is our way of bringing the Italian aperitivo into the
world’s most inspiring places, with the same care we reserve for the people we welcome.” –
Giancarlo Mancino, Founder
The New Lifestyle Bible
What began as a lifestyle page celebrating Negronis and Italian aesthetics has, under Giancarlo’s guidance, evolved into a living brand that blends culture, craft, and community into a single, immersive vision. Today it is known for its pop-ups and residencies that blur the line between cocktail bar and stage set, where every element – from lighting and music to glassware and service – works together to tell a story.
At the centre is always the Negroni itself, treated with reverence as both heritage and canvas. Extending that ritual beyond the bar, House of Negroni brings its ritual into everyday life through a meticulously produced, Italian-made ready-to-drink line, supported by editorial content and lifestyle touches that complete the experience. Positioned for design-savvy tastemakers, the brand has become both guardian of a classic and pioneer of its future.
A Maestro Still in Motion
For Giancarlo Mancino, excellence is never a destination; it’s a habit. From hillside beginnings to the pinnacle of global hospitality, he has built a career on precision, artistry, and relentless innovation.
With Bocktailed and SeiBellissimi leading the charge, Giancarlo is proving that Italian aperitivo culture isn’t just a tradition, it’s a movement. And as he continues to inspire and shape the industry, one thing is certain: the maestro is only getting started.
For more information, visit Bocktailed and SeiBellissimi
All imagery courtesy of Giancarlo Mancino/Bocktailed/SeiBellissimi.