Altamura Distilleries the producer of the world’s first vodka distilled entirely from 100% Italian durum wheat, is accelerating its United States expansion with a strengthened leadership team and a clear signal of intent. Altamura Distilleries Vodka is now available across 20 states, with key markets including New York, ,Connecticut, California, Florida, Nevada, Georgia, and Colorado, and building the infrastructure to scale with the trade, not just sell into it.
In a major step forward for the brand, Leah Miller, formerly of Campari, was appointed director of sales for New York in the summer of 2025, bringing proven commercial leadership and national market expertise to support Altamura Distilleries Vodka’s next phase of distribution growth, premium on trade development and long term partnership building.
To power Altamura Distilleries bartender advocacy and education across both coasts, the brand has also appointed two standout operators as US Brand Ambassadors.
Rio Azmee joined as US East Coast brand ambassador in 2025, bringing deep hospitality credentials and operator level understanding of what makes brands win behind the bar. Rio is also known for his work across venues including Shinka Ramen, Bowery Beer Garden, and Stone and Soil NYC, helping shape bar programmes and guest experiences where quality and consistency are non-negotiable.
Rustyn Vaughn Lee joined as US West Coast Brand Ambassador in January of 2026, bringing a decade plus of high performance hospitality experience in Las Vegas, including senior roles as Beverage Director at Spiegelworld and Beverage Director at Momofuku, with earlier foundations at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. and Downtown Cocktail Room.
Together, the three appointments form a clear strategy. Sales leadership, coast to coast ambassador coverage, and trade first execution built to meet the pace of the brand’s growth and strengthen its presence in the US premium on trade.
Altamura Distilleries Vodka is defined by provenance and culinary intent. Distilled entirely from Italian durum wheat grown in Altamura, Puglia, it comes from a region internationally recognised for its PDO protected bread, made from the same prized grain for centuries. With Italian cuisine now recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, Altamura Distilleries Vodka Distilleries Vodka sits naturally in the global conversation around regional pride and food culture, offering a vodka that is clean, gastronomic and quietly expressive, designed to sit alongside food as naturally as wine might.
Altamura Distilleries Vodka Distilleries Vodka is also Official Vodka Partner of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, and recognised as the world’s leading bartenders’ favourite vodka in the Drinks International Bartenders’ Choice Report 2026, a rare combination of luxury hospitality credibility and global trade validation.
Beyond the bottle, Altamura Distilleries Vodka Distilleries Vodka partners with Born Free, the international wildlife charity dedicated to protecting wild animals and preserving wildlife in their natural habitats. With a donation from every bottle sold and hospitality-led fundraising initiatives, the partnership reinforces the brand’s belief that luxury should carry meaning, not just margin.
