MAFFEO DRINKS: Built Bottom-up

In this continuation of their conversation, Chris Maffeo interviews Federico Riezzo about modern cocktail classics, Villa Mamo's terroir-driven approach, and scaling cocktail culture. Federico reflects on cocktail legends like Douglas Ankrah and the era that created enduring drinks like the Pornstar Martini, Penicillin , and Breakfast Martini, while exploring why new cocktails struggle to achieve lasting status in today's social media environment.Learn about Villa Mamo, Federico's renovated 1786 Tuscan farmhouse and boutique hospitality venue, where he collaborates with local foragers to create hyper-local botanical cocktails using terroir-driven ingredients. Discover Federico's lower ABV cocktail philosophy that encourages extended social drinking experiences and better guest engagement.Chris and Federico examine the cocktail industry's workforce challenges, discussing how modern bartenders increasingly prioritize technical innovation over essential hospitality skills like guest reading and relationship building.Perfect for bar managers, hospitality professionals, cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone interested in sustainable cocktail culture, terroir-driven mixology, and the future of the bar industry.Timestamps :00:00 From Douglas Ankrah's Porn Star Martini to the other Modern Classics08:15 Cocktail Culture Gap Analysis16:30 Villa Mamo's Terroir Approach24:45 Lower ABV Philosophy and Social Drinking32:20 Industry Workforce Challenges40:04 Future of Hospitality and Scaling Culture

Show Notes

Merry Christmas & Happy 2026. This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS. 

In this continuation of their conversation, Chris Maffeo interviews Federico Riezzo about modern cocktail classics, Villa Mamo's terroir-driven approach, and scaling cocktail culture. Federico reflects on cocktail legends like Douglas Ankrah and the era that created enduring drinks like the Pornstar Martini, Penicillin , and Breakfast Martini, while exploring why new cocktails struggle to achieve lasting status in today's social media environment.

Learn about Villa Mamo, Federico's renovated 1786 Tuscan farmhouse and boutique hospitality venue, where he collaborates with local foragers to create hyper-local botanical cocktails using terroir-driven ingredients. Discover Federico's lower ABV cocktail philosophy that encourages extended social drinking experiences and better guest engagement.

Chris and Federico examine the cocktail industry's workforce challenges, discussing how modern bartenders increasingly prioritize technical innovation over essential hospitality skills like guest reading and relationship building.

Perfect for bar managers, hospitality professionals, cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone interested in sustainable cocktail culture, terroir-driven mixology, and the future of the bar industry.

Timestamps :

  • 00:00 From Douglas Ankrah's Porn Star Martini to the other Modern Classics

  • 08:15 Cocktail Culture Gap Analysis

  • 16:30 Villa Mamo's Terroir Approach

  • 24:45 Lower ABV Philosophy and Social Drinking

  • 32:20 Industry Workforce Challenges

  • 40:04 Future of Hospitality and Scaling Culture


This episode is brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS, an Advisory helping drinks leaders execute bottom-up growth while managing stakeholder expectations. You can get in touch at bottomup@maffeodrinks.com

A Deep-Dive Analysis of This Episode is Available at maffeodrinks.com 

Creators and Guests

Host
Chris Maffeo
Drinks Industry Advisor | Helping Leaders Execute Bottom-up Growth While Managing Stakeholder Expectations
Guest
Federico Riezzo
Co-founder | Villa Mamo Italia

What is MAFFEO DRINKS: Built Bottom-up?

The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast is a leading drinks business podcast delivering frontline insights for drinks leadership.

For founders, directors, distributor MDs, and hospitality leaders navigating the tension between bottom-up reality and top-down expectations.

20+ years building brands across 30+ markets. Each episode features drinks builders: founders, distributors, commercial directors, sharing how the drinks industry actually works. Not the conference version. Honest conversations.

Insights come from sitting at the bar.

Beyond episodes: advisory for leadership teams, subscription with episode deep dives and principles to navigate your own reality.

Beer, wine, spirits, Low and non-alcoholic.

Bottom-up Insights & Episode Deep Dives at https://maffeodrinks.com