Welcome

The history of "I Giardini di Cataldo” keeps pace with the history of the Esposito family, which has scrupulously, lovingly, devotedly taken care of the estate (called “Petrulo”), following a tradition dated back to the 19 th century, when their products were only used for the customers of Excelsior Vittoria Hotel. In his book “Terre di casa mia”, Roberto Fusco deals about the experience of the Esposito family; with reference to Peppino we quote the following passage:

his capability was extraordinary. His citrus fruits orchard was wonderful: it was brilliant dark green, full of shady trees which blocked the view of the sky and hid the horizon. He was unfailingly precise in grafting and paid much attention when he had to prune branches. His motions revealed his love for plants. With the accurate precision of some movements and the strength of others he adapted himself to nature becoming part of it and identifying with it...

After the purchase of the estate made by the shipbuilder Achille Lauro, father Cataldo has taken the company to their peak productivity. He was an innovator: he introduced the technique of grafting lemon trees on to orange trees, boosting in this way citrus fruits production. With a labour force of even 80 workers a day, all coordinated with a great mastery, the company achieved very important aims, including the 1 st prize at the Competition for the Best Company in Southern Italy.

Afterwards the management has passed to Cataldo's son, Salvatore, who, thanks to his love for nature and for his job, has kept the garden intact and entrusted it to the 3 rd Millennium.

The farm "I Giardini di Cataldo" started up in 1999 as a tribute to father Cataldo who believed in the values of tradition to be preserved and handed down. The Company, apart from citrus fruits growing, deal in liqueurs production made by handicraft methods.