The story of Rigamonti is one of a company and a family going back over a century, passing through many generations. This adventure began in the early 20th century in the historic centre of Sondrio: in 1913, Francesco Rigamonti decided to open a workshop with a butcher and cold meats facility where he began production of Bresaola – a product which, today as it was then, is a symbol of Valteline – by following the ancient recipes handed down locally through the generations.

At this time, the very first cars began to appear and an increasing number of tourists travelled to the Alps to enjoy skiing or to climb the austere summits of Bernina and Ortles-Cevedale, and to benefit from the clean environment and pure air of the Magnifica Terra, as the area around Bormio was called. During the visit, a stop in Sondrio for shopping was essential and, thanks to word-of-mouth, Rigamonti cold meats in the town centre quickly became famous for the kindness and courtesy of Mr Francesco Rigamonti towards foreigners, to whom he offered tastings of the rich dishes of Bresaola. Within a few years, the passion, dedication and care applied to the creation of Bresaola Rigamonti ensured it became known beyond the borders of the Valteline.

However, the year of change was 1928, at the height of the post-war period, when the cold meats were included in the “Grande Fiera Campionaria” (Great Trade Fair) in Milan. This event, which was a great success, was the first key step towards large-scale marketing of Bresaola, which at last achieved the international visibility it deserved.

The constant commitment, efforts and dedication of its founder were rewarded and customers became so numerous that at the end of the 1950s, Giovanni and Emilio Rigamonti, who had taken over from their father at the head of the company, decided to open the first production factory – the current headquarters of the company – in Montagna in Valteline. After this, with an increase in the orders and the turnover, two factories were added in Poggiridenti in the 1970s and in Mazzo in Valteline in 1986. Today, Rigamonti is the top producer of Bresaola and by vocation it continues to look to the future by continuously investing in the quality and innovation of its cold meats.