Loriano Bagnoli, honorary president and long-time driving force of Sammontana, has died at the age of 86. The Tuscan company, famous for its iconic “Barattolino” and “Coppa Oro” ice creams, owes much of its growth and success to his vision and leadership.
A central figure in the company’s history, Bagnoli carried forward the idea born from his father Romeo, who in the aftermath of World War II opened a small milk bar in Empoli with his brothers Renzo and Sergio.
From that modest family business, which took shape in the 1950s and 1960s, Sammontana evolved into one of the flagships of Italian excellence. The introduction of industrial production, the spread of home freezers, and innovative packaging allowed the brand to expand well beyond national borders, bringing the flavor of Tuscan gelato to the world.
The company’s name, Sammontana, comes from a farm in Montelupo Fiorentino, located near the first dairy bar acquired by the Bagnoli brothers in 1948. A few years later, they began producing ice cream for sale outside the city — the humble beginning of what, under Loriano’s guidance, would become a globally recognized Italian brand built on passion, quality, and family tradition.