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Licata 3513

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The Licata history

The Licata family can safely call itself the ambassador of Italian wine in Belgium. Since 1979, Calogero Licata has made it his mission to introduce top Italian wines to Belgium, like a true pioneer.

The ultimate customer experience is a continuous driving force, the added value in service and personal approach will always remain the reason for new choices. Licata Vini sees the future as a challenge taken up with great confidence, and this Villa Licata is testament to that.

Licata 3469

1946

The Licata family's history begins in 1946, when several Sicilian families, including the Licata family, emigrated to Belgium to work in the mines. Salvatore Licata worked in Marcinelle.

1956

After the devastating mining disaster in Marcinelle, Salvatore was transferred to Tilleur. Here, his son Calogero grew up in a warm Italian family where good food and fine wine were at the heart of daily life.

1972

In 1972, Calogero married and moved to Limburg. It was here that his passion for wine, inherited from his family, began to come more and more to the fore. What started as a hobby in wine sales soon grew into a real wine business. 

1979

In 1979, Licata Vini was founded in Hasselt. 

Jaren '80

In the 1980s, the image of Italian wine in Belgium was not yet too good. However, Calogero Licata made a determined effort to change this. Step by step, he introduced restaurateurs and wine lovers to top Italian wines and convinced them to put them on their wine lists. Under his leadership, the range was expanded to include Tuscan wines, including Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. 

1995

In 1995, Laurent, Calogero's son, joined the family business after studying business management. He started as a warehouse worker and driver, and quickly grew into a true wine enthusiast with a vision for the business approach. 

1998

From 1998, Laurent was given a bigger role in the company and some strategic decisions were made. Sales staff were recruited for the whole of Belgium, leading to growth in sales and employees. Licata Vini's wines found their way into top restaurants and were even served at top meetings and at the Belgian Court. 

2003

In 2003, Licata Vini moved to modern headquarters in Diepenbeek, designed by architect Vittorio Simoni. This building houses not only the warehouses and offices, but also a stylish showroom and several meeting rooms. 

In the same year, the first webshop was launched, marking an important step in digital development. 

2017

The webshop www.licata.be became the only Belgian wine shop to be included in the Top 100 Belgian webshops in 2017. More than 20,000 people follow Licata Vini on Facebook. 

2021

In 2021, Licata Vini received Belgium's Best SME award, a wonderful recognition of its commitment to quality and innovation. 

2023

In 2023, Villa Licata opened, a state-of-the-art experience centre and event venue where wine takes centre stage. It hosts exclusive events, such as tastings and winemaker dinners, in stylish surroundings that honour Italian hospitality, design and gastronomy. Villa Licata can also be hired for in-house events, from corporate parties to private gatherings, for an unforgettable wine experience. 

Today

Today, Licata Vini is a leading company with more than 30 dedicated staff, rooted in our Italian traditions. We strive for excellence in customer satisfaction with a carefully selected range of some 1,000 wines, high-quality service and a personalised approach. Through regular tastings and expert wine advice, we bring the rich Italian wine culture closer to our customers. Innovation is at the heart of our work, allowing us to constantly respond to our customers' changing needs and face the future with confidence. 

  • 1946

  • 1956

  • 1972

  • 1979

  • Jaren '80

  • 1995

  • 1998

  • 2003

  • 2017

  • 2021

  • 2023

  • Today