“We develop brands with passion, always looking to add value”
As the Founder of Vantguard, Alfonso Morodo, is behind some of the most original alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands in the industry, Alfonso is committed to bringing authenticity and uniqueness to every bottle. With a portfolio spanning globally admired products like Gin Mare and the rapidly growing Curado Tequila, Vantguard has emerged as a disruptor in a space dominated by legacy giants.
Their core principle is deceptively simple: create brands that don’t exist yet. That means no copying trends or playing safe. Every product must tell a new story, with innovation built into the liquid itself. It’s a daring philosophy that’s helped Alfonso and his team develop an impressive collection of one-of-a-kind labels, and attract loyal fans across multiple continents.
“I’ve worked in the drinks industry since I was 19”
Alfonso’s journey into the world of beverage innovation began at a young age. With decades of experience in the drinks industry under his belt, he took the entrepreneurial leap later in life by co-founding Vantguard alongside a group of investors. The mission was clear: build and scale beverage brands that could stand on their own with identity, soul, and purpose.
His early exposure to the global drinks market gave him insight into what was missing. Rather than replicate what was already on shelves, Alfonso wanted to create new classics, labels that would one day be referenced as trailblazers. From that vision, Vantguard was born.
“Daring to Be Different Defined Our Path”
One of Vantguard’s earliest, and most defining, chapters came with the creation and eventual sale of a Mediterranean-inspired gin that challenged everything the category stood for. It didn’t look or taste like its competitors, and that was the point.
Pushing an unconventional brand into a traditional market wasn’t easy. It required relentless education, global positioning, and trust in the product. “Selling that brand was our biggest challenge,” Alfonso admits. But it also became a turning point that validated Vantguard’s approach to brand creation, the same creative DNA now seen across its portfolio with Curado Tequila, GinRaw, Bonanto, and Seventeen Grapefruit Soda.
“When the team feels ownership, their creativity becomes unstoppable”
While Alfonso may be the founder, he doesn’t believe in doing it alone. A strong advocate for collaborative brand-building, he empowers his team to co-create, iterate, and contribute ideas from the ground up.
This inclusive model isn’t just about morale – it’s a secret weapon. “When you create brands and allow your team to be part of it,” he says, “the amount of value and desire for more becomes unstoppable.” That culture of co-ownership has helped Vantguard maintain a startup spirit even as its brands scale globally.
“Curado’s Blanco Tequila might be the best we’ve ever tasted”
The latest project from Alfonso and his team is a bold new chapter for Vantguard: the upcoming launch of a blanco tequila under the Curado brand. Known for its unique infusion methods, Curado has already earned respect in the tequila space. But this new unaged, spirit 100% agave spirit, crafted to be the base for its three infused expressions (Espadín, Blue Agave, and Cupreata), could be their most exciting release yet.
“This blanco is the base of our infusions and to me it’s the best blanco tequila that we have ever tasted,” Alfonso shares. It’s a claim that speaks volumes coming from someone who’s been immersed in the category for decades. With this launch, Vantguard is aiming to redefine what blanco tequila can be, using transparency, technique, and flavor complexity as their guideposts.
“We stay in the business with creativity and uniqueness”
Looking ahead, Alfonso has no plans of slowing down. His goal for the next three years is to develop another brand that achieves global success, pushing Vantguard further into new markets and new formats. The team is also preparing to launch a new rum, adding another layer to their eclectic portfolio.
But no matter how much the company grows, Alfonso stays grounded in his core philosophy: show up, stay creative, and build something no one else dares to. That mindset – part entrepreneurial resilience, part artistic commitment – continues to fuel the engine behind Vantguard’s rise.
“We want our brands to inspire”
For Alfonso, building a beverage company isn’t just about profits or market share. It’s about inspiration – for consumers, for the team, and for the industry. Each Vantguard product is designed to break the mold, raise expectations, and remind people that creativity still matters.
As the company prepares to introduce new spirits and expand globally, Alfonso Morodo remains a driving force behind one of the most imaginative brand portfolios in the drinks world today. From a 19-year-old industry novice to the visionary founder of Vantguard, he’s never stopped believing that every great drink starts with a bold idea – and a passionate team to bring it to life.
To learn more about Vantguard, visit their website at: https://www.vantguard.com/
