Ventura Limoncello Co shuts down business

The California-based Ventura Limoncello Company has ceased operating after nine years due to declining sales and lost distribution deals.

Ventura Limoncello has shut down its business after nine years

Founded in 2007 by James Carling and Manuela Zaretti-Carling, Ventura Limoncello produced two types of limoncello – Originale (original) and Crema (creamy) – and one style of orangecello – Blood Orange.

In a statement, the founders claimed they had been forced to close their business on 30 September.

“After putting our life and soul into producing the best citrus liqueurs we could make for the last nine years, we are forced to close due to lack of raising additional capital or identifying a partner,” the statement read.

“At our height in 2014, we reached distribution in 17 states and over 2,000 cases sold. However, in 2015, we noticed slipping sales amid price competitiveness from top imported brands, additional competition – national and international – and increased pricing at the retail level – although we had not raised our distributor pricing.”

Following the creation of California’s Craft Distiller’s License, the legislation for which Ventura Limoncello claims it was directly involved with, the company planned to open a tasting room with direct purchase opportunities to boost sales.

However, the business has blamed a “late language change” to the legislation that “exempted” it from being able to “take advantage” of this new law.

“This combined with additional slowing sales and losing distribution in a few key markets caused us to evaluate the viability of continuing our brand,” the statement continued.