Pasquale Vena was born on 8th September 1871, in Pisticci (MT).

He left while still very young along with his brothers to embark for America. However, he stopped in Naples, where at the “Scaturchio” pastry shop he learned the first rudiments of the confectionery art.

When he returned to his native town, he opened Caffè Vena, in whose backroom in 1894 he began working on various herbal blends in search of the perfect liqueur. Thus was born Amaro Lucano, which was immediately so successful that it reached as far as the House of Savoy, for which Vena became a regular supplier.

The company grew, increasing the production quantity and becoming a full-fledged business.

Pasquale Vena died in Pisticci in 1937.

After his death, despite the forced interruption due to World War II, the legacy was collected by his sons, who fostered the flourishing of the family business, which in 1965 reached over 110 thousand liters of bitters sold.

You can consult the birth certificate on the Ancestors Portal: Archivio di Stato di Matera > Stato civile italiano > Pisticci > 1871

The original is kept at the State Archives of Matera