Our story
1972
A Copper Cauldron, a Small Shop and a Fiat 600
Our story begins between 1971 and 1972 in Solesino, in the Veneto region of Italy. It was here that Luigino Castello lit the first fire beneath a small 20 kg copper cauldron, producing polenta for direct sale in his shop. The polenta was, naturally, the traditional kind, authentic and fragrant: a defining feature of our company that still distinguishes us today.
1985
Open doors to the foreign market
In the mid-1980s, Castello entered the large-scale retail sector with its first major agreement, and the commercial network expanded accordingly. In the 1990s, the company began distribution in Milano, a fundamental milestone for its broader development strategy. During the same period, its debut at CIBUS opened the doors to international markets.
2000
The new millennium
With the arrival of the new millennium, the traditional polenta market began to show the first signs of slowdown, leading to the closure of several long-established competitors. During these years, Castello chose the most forward-looking path: innovation.
2019
The innovation
Following the historic expansions at Arteselle, 2019 marked a new milestone with the acquisition of the Solesino production facility: over 6,000 m² dedicated to the development of innovative products – in addition to the 3,000 m² of the original historic site.
2022
Products innovation
New production lines have led to patented product lines such as Polenta al Cucchiaio (Soft Polenta), Polenta Grigliata (grilled polenta) and Polenta Fritta (fried polenta), now available across retail and Ho.Re.Ca. channels.
OGGI
Quality is a non-negotiable cornerstone.
Today, the company is led by his son Eric. Even in the face of market challenges and rising costs, Polenta Castello’s strategy remains firm: we choose to invest in research and selection rather than sacrifice the excellence that has made us who we are.
POVERA DI GRASSI • NATURALMENTE SENZA GLUTINE • SENZA CONSERVANTI • SENZA OGM • 100% ITALIANA •
A Copper Cauldron, a Small Shop and a Fiat 600
Our story begins between 1971 and 1972 in Solesino, in the Veneto region of Italy. It was here that Luigino Castello lit the first fire beneath a small 20 kg copper cauldron, producing polenta for direct sale in his shop. The polenta was, naturally, the traditional kind, authentic and fragrant: a defining feature of our company that still distinguishes us today.
In those years, distribution was a matter of kilometres and handshakes. On Mondays and Thursdays, Luigino would load his Fiat 600 and visit local bakeries; nearby Este, also in the Veneto region, was the beating heart of sales, the place where the Castello name first began to gain recognition. Growth came quickly, and the business soon moved to Arteselle, the first production site – still operational today – with 150 kg cooking pots. As early as the following year, the first industrial-scale machinery was introduced.
In the mid-1980s, Castello entered the large-scale retail sector with its first major agreement, and the commercial network expanded accordingly. In the 1990s, the company began distribution in Milano, a fundamental milestone for its broader development strategy. During the same period, its debut at CIBUS opened the doors to international markets: a British buyer selected Castello for large-scale retail distribution in the United Kingdom, marking the beginning of the company’s international expansion.
With the arrival of the new millennium, the traditional polenta market began to show the first signs of slowdown, leading to the closure of several long-established competitors. During these years, Castello chose the most forward-looking path: innovation.
From the initial 200 square metres of laboratory space, the growth journey has never stopped.
Following the historic expansions at Arteselle, 2019 marked a new milestone with the acquisition of the Solesino production facility: over 6,000 m² dedicated to the development of innovative products – in addition to the 3,000 m² of the original historic site – where production lines create patented product lines such as Spoonable Polenta, Grilled Polenta and Fried Polenta.
Do you know what our secret is?
We never compromise on quality.
About ten years ago, we made a strategic decision: to streamline our internal organisation by concentrating purchasing on two primary short-supply-chain mills of excellence. This allows us to monitor our raw material ‘from field to cauldron’, ensuring an uncompromised level of quality that traditional mills cannot guarantee.
For us, quality is a non-negotiable cornerstone.
Even in the face of market challenges and rising costs, Polenta Castello’s strategy remains firm: we prefer to invest in research and selection rather than sacrifice the excellence that has made us who we are.
Today, the company is led by his son Eric,
who is committed to guiding the business through its next phase of international development.
“Because after more than fifty years, our objective is the same as it was with that first 20 kg cauldron: to offer the finest polenta possible, with the pride of those who know exactly where they come from.”
Luigino Castello
AUTHENTIC 100% ITALIAN POLENTA • AUTHENTIC 100% ITALIAN POLENTA • AUTHENTIC 100% ITALIAN POLENTA •
Polenta made from italian maize, simple, genuine, irresistible.
