In an industry often stifled by legacy giants and “safe” trend-following, Alfonso Morodo has built an empire on a singular, defiant premise: Create what does not yet exist. As the Founder of Vantguard, Morodo doesn’t just launch beverages; he architects liquid identities. From the global phenomenon of Gin Mare to the cult-status Curado Tequila, Vantguard has become the premier laboratory for brands that possess soul, purpose, and a disruptive edge.
Morodo’s journey is a masterclass in long-term Entrepreneurial evolution. Having entered the drinks industry at the age of 19, he spent decades absorbing the mechanics of the global market. However, his true leap came later in life when he realized that the market wasn’t suffering from a lack of products, but a lack of originality.
Alongside a strategic group of investors, Morodo co-founded Vantguard with a mission to build “trailblazers”—labels that would one day be the reference points for their entire category.
Vantguard’s DNA was forged in the fire of its early challenges. One of its most defining chapters was the creation and eventual sale of a Mediterranean-inspired gin that defied every convention of the category. It was a high-risk venture that required relentless global positioning and consumer education.
“Selling that brand was our biggest challenge,” Morodo admits. Yet, that successful exit validated a core Brand Insight: authenticity is the highest form of currency. This same creative DNA is now infused into Vantguard’s current portfolio, including GinRaw, Bonanto, and Seventeen Grapefruit Soda.
While Morodo is the visionary at the helm, Vantguard’s secret weapon is its inclusive, collaborative model. Morodo empowers his team to co-create and iterate from the ground up. By treating the brand-building process as a shared mission rather than a top-down directive, he has maintained a high-velocity startup spirit even as the company scales.
“When you allow your team to be part of the creation,” Morodo notes, “the desire for value becomes unstoppable.”
The next bold chapter for Vantguard is centered on Curado Tequila. Known for its revolutionary infusion methods, the brand is set to launch a new Blanco Tequila. This 100% agave spirit is designed to be the foundational “soul” for its infused expressions (Espadín, Blue Agave, and Cupreata).
Morodo describes this upcoming Blanco as the finest he has ever tasted – a significant claim from an industry veteran. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. Over the next three years, Vantguard aims to conquer the Rum category and continue its expansion into new global territories.
For Alfonso Morodo, the rise of Vantguard isn’t merely a play for market share; it is a commitment to the Art of Originality. He remains grounded in a philosophy of entrepreneurial resilience: show up, stay creative, and build what no one else dares to.
As Vantguard prepares to introduce new spirits to the world stage, Morodo continues to prove that in the crowded world of luxury beverages, the most powerful ingredient is a bold idea brought to life by a passionate team.
