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L_histoire d_un savoir faire familial
MONTEBELLO RHUMS

A FAMILY'S CRAFTSMANSHIP STORY

From the creation of the small Carrère distillery in 1930 through the extraordinary development led by the Marsolle family up to this day.

The history of Montebello is strewn with difficulties overcame with determination and success and achieved thanks to a winning trio: work, ingenuity and creativity.

Since the early 20th century, combining tradition and innovation, the Marsolle have succeeded to make Montebello flourish. A company with craftsmanship that has become a flagship of Guadeloupe rhum.

A FAMILY OF DISTILLERS SINCE 1892

In 1892, Charles Jacques-Edouard Marsolle, a seasoned investor, decided to acquire the Domaine de la Lise, built in the 17th century by the Lousteau family in the commune of Bouillante.

The estate is dedicated to agricultural production of cocoa, cane and cattle breeding, but also to manufacture and trading of goods such as leather, sugar and vinegar.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CARRÈRE DISTILLERY

Auguste Clément Dolomie, a merchant originally from La Désirade, decided to set up a distillery on the land of the eponymous estate. Nestled in the first hills by the plain of Petit-Bourg, he named it “Carrère”, the name of the district in which the distillery was located.

THE CARRERE DISTILLERY UNDER THE MARSOLLE FAMILY FLAG

After a few years running “Rose” distillery in Goyave, Jean Marsolle resolved to buy Carrère distillery. By then, the small distillery was only capable of grinding one ton per hour.

Along with his son Alain, industrial designer by training and former technical director of the Gardel factory in Mouleupon, he embarked in the modernization of the equipment with the goal of increasing the production capacity of the distillery .

Alain Marsolle plays a double role. He is heir to a family of distillers and husband to a descendant of the industrial sugar entrepreneur Bon. All summed up, it gave rise to an exceedingly ingenious man who never held back from lending his knowledge to the service of the agricultural world.

ALAIN MARSOLLE AT THE HELM

In 1974, the 30-year-old succeeds his father as manager of the company, which has by then grown considerably. A renovated mill enabled the grinding capacity to increase from 12 to 14 tons per hour.

CARRÈRE DISTILLERY BECOMES MONTEBELLO DISTILLERY

Alain and Emmanuel Marsolle create the company SARL Montebello. This name was given by Madame Veuve Thevenin Jean-Marie. When she bought “a piece of land detached from the Habitation Bell” in April 1859, a few days before the second victory of Napoleonic troops at Montebello della Battaglia, a district south of Milan, Italy.

Now in charge, Alain and Emmanuel Marsolle form a complementing duo. By means of hard work, the brothers manage to develop the company in a spectacular way.

ALAIN MARSOLLE, A UNIQUE MANAGER

Alain Marsolle is now alone as the head of Montebello. Passionate and self-taught, he was lucky to learn the trade from experts in the craft. He represents a reference for his colleagues with whom he is happy to share his expertise. Tireless, he does not count the hours dedicated to the distillery.

He modernizes the distillery´s equipment with an eye on increasing and diversifying the production and creating innovative products. He is one of the first to incorporate an aging cellar with oak barrels which he purchased in the United States. He set up all the procedures and prospected international markets.

GREGORY AND DOMINIQUE MARSOLLE, 4TH GENERATION OF DISTILLERS

Alain Marsolle, of age, decides to hand over the management to his sons Dominique and Grégory. He is no longer at the helm but still gives good advice and ensures continuity.

Previously assistant to his father, Grégory Marsolle became the manager of Montebello in early 2012. “My job is to ensure the proper functioning of the brand.” – Gregory Marsolle

Dominique Marsolle is the technical director of the distillery. “I hold the role of production manager and I oversee the technical side. The supply of cane and the management of rhum flows in the distillery are also part of my missions.” –Dominique Marsolle

Through determination, the two brothers find new solutions to develop the distillery in order to achieve more diversified, qualitative and epicurean products.

90 YEARS, THE REBIRTH OF A GUADELOUPEAN MONUMENT

The Marsolle brothers are determined to restore the brand to its former glory by relying on young and local management. With the help of a new dynamic team, the distillery wishes to gain in quality, efficiency and increase its visibility locally and internationally.

We all work together to promote the craftsmanship, the terroir, the quality and innovation in Guadeloupe.