a husband and wife dynamo
About us
Gino Maniaci is a young vibrant business man who grew up in the family business – ‘Ritrovo (Bar) Remigio’ – established by his grandfather in 1960 as a thriving seasonal cafe/bar style business on the breathtakingly beautiful island of Vulcano located off the coast of Sicily, Italy. It was here at Ritrovo Remigio that the secret base recipe of the world renowned gelato served in Vulcano Gelato was inspired and cultivated.
Gino began his career working in the hospitality industry at Ritrovo Remigio where he progressively learnt how to prepare and serve the now infamous gelato.
In 2006, Gino embarked on a life changing journey to Melbourne, Australia. Unbelievable as it may seem to the average Melbournian, Gino soon discovered that although Melbourne was a beautifully multicultural and thriving metropolis, it was in fact, lacking good authentic Italian gelato and granita.
Nonetheless, Gino fell in love. Not only with Melbourne, but with Australian born Josephine Colombo who was instrumental in supporting Gino in bringing the Vulcano Gelato business to fruition in Australia.
Josie brings to the table an impressive level of business experience stemming originally from the fashion industry with particular focus in the field of Fashion Production Management.
Entrepreneurially minded, Josie thrives on a continually challenging and demanding environment to express her full potential and commitment to excellence.
In 2008, this dynamic husband and wife team opened the first Vulcano Gelato in Rye to extraordinary results. Gino and Josephine, along with a carefully chosen management team, aim to raise the image of the ice cream industry and continue to set unprecedented standards by improving the quality and taste of the universally loved authentic Italian gelato and granita.
with amore from vulcano sicily
Origins
Our story can be traced back to the breathtakingly beautiful island of Vulcanolocated off the coast of Sicily in Italy. One of the Aeolian Islands, Vulcano isonly 21 sq kilometres and has a small permanent population of around 700 people.
However, visit this stunning island in the European summer and it’s a different story! You’ll see the rich and famous moored off the coast in their amazing yachts and tourists everywhere enjoying the attractions. People flock to Vulcano for its beautiful beaches, hot springs and sulphur mud baths with healing qualities.
Another highlight in Vulcano is a visit to Ritrovo Remigio – a well known bar and cafe located on the port. This bar was established in 1960 by Remigio Aiello who is Gino Maniaci’s grandfather. He built Ritrovo Remigio into a thriving seasonal business and for the past 25 years Remigio’s son in law and Gino’s father, Tony Maniaci has been at the helm of Ritrovo Remigio.
He has brought a new edge to the bar and it has become well known for its gelato and cannoli as mentioned by Lonely Planet and Frommers.Tony Maniaci.
It was here at Ritrovo Remigio that the secret base recipe of the world renowned gelato served at Vulcano Gelato was inspired and cultivated by Remigio Aiello and mastered by Tony Maniaci.
Gino Maniaci and his wife Josephine Colombo have been incredibly fortunate to learn from such great ‘masters of their trade’ and want to share their passion for this amazing mouth watering experience with you and the world.
Read about Remigio Aiello’s grandson Gino Maniaci – Vulcano Gelato’s director.
