This was made possible thanks to the fortunate discovery and keen insight of a farmer from Carini, who happened upon the last remaining colonies of the Sicilian black honeybee and immediately recognized how extraordinary they were. In the late 1980s, the bees were then isolated and repopulated on the island of Ustica, securing the survival of the species. From this story came the idea of Jerry Prestigiacomo and Giusy Cipolla to found House of Apenera Distillery and to connect the story of the Sicilian black honeybee with the story of the Sicilian people.
Apenera gin draws inspiration from the life of a native Sicilian insect: the Sicilian black honeybee. Unique of its kind and endangered until just a few years ago, this remarkable insect now delights us with its exceptional honey.
Sicilians, like the black bees, have endured—and continue to endure—migration and the many contradictions that burden their land. And now, they are returning to the cities of the island, sharing the beauty of their origins with the world. Apenera is us: those who stay, those who leave and return, never forgetting the bond with our land and our true identity.
The goal is to create a gin that is 100% made in Sicily, crafted with botanicals sourced from across the island and produced through sustainability-focused processes.
Apenera aims to establish itself as a successful name in the spirits industry while promoting a lifestyle defined by beauty, elegance and contemporary flair.
The goal is to create a gin that is 100% made in Sicily, crafted with botanicals sourced from across the island and produced through sustainability-focused processes. This means operating with full respect for the land and the environment, embracing a sustainable philosophy through responsible production practices, and making every effort to reduce the environmental impact involved in creating Apenera Gin — from the use of recycled glass and renewable energy sources to the careful avoidance of water waste.