Puglia vodka maker also points to earlier Drinks International Bartenders’ Choice listing this year
Altamura Distilleries, the Puglia-based producer of a vodka distilled entirely from Altamura durum wheat, has been named one of the Top 50 Marketing Teams at the 2026 OnCon Icon Awards. The recognition was announced at the virtual OnCon Icon Awards ceremony on 27th October. The company said the award credits the team that has taken the vodka into cocktail bars and luxury hotels in more than 26 markets.
The OnCon Icon Awards are voted for by the public and recognise organisations and business leaders for their leadership, innovation and impact on their industries, according to the release. Voters were asked to back teams that combined success with a positive impact on their organisation, contributed to their field through thought leadership, brought innovation to their projects and were led with exceptional leadership. The company said the award follows a year of trade recognition, having been named in the Drinks International Bartenders’ Choice list earlier in 2026. The full list of 2026 winners is available at www.onconferences.com/awards.
Altamura Distilleries was co-founded by Frank Grillo and Steve Acuna after the two Americans relocated to Puglia. Their aim was to make a vodka from a single, distinctly local ingredient: 100% Altamura durum wheat, the grain used for Pane di Altamura, the first bread in Europe to be awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.
The vodka is served at bars including Clemente Bar in New York, Paradiso in Barcelona, Maybe Sammy in Sydney and The Donovan Bar in London. In hospitality, the brand is the Official Vodka Partner of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, a partnership the company said has brought it to the attention of hoteliers, bartenders and industry figures worldwide.
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Frank Grillo, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Altamura Distilleries, said: “This award is a credit to our marketing team and to everyone who has helped take Altamura to some of the best bars and hotels in the world. When Steve and I moved to this country, we wanted to make something that could only come from Italy. That’s what makes the Vodka so special coming from the durum wheat. Seeing that idea recognised internationally means a great deal to all of us.”
He added: “We’re still a young brand and there is a lot more to come. Our focus now is on bringing Altamura Distilleries to new markets and showing more bartenders and drinkers what an Italian vodka can be.”
The company said the vodka is now sold in more than 26 markets worldwide, including 26 US states, with recent launches in Japan, Hong Kong and mainland China. In August, Altamura Distilleries appointed Kevin Schmudde as Head of USA to lead its growth in that market.
