Caffe Del Doge

We select the best coffee in the world

About us, Caffè del Doge, Our History

The roasting plant was founded in Venice in 952 by Sir Ermenegildo Rizzardini, a Venetian roster and coffee lover.
Located next to Rialto Bridge, the artisan roasting plant (called ExtraDoge) became famous among the locals for its finest coffee blends and for its delicious blend. The roasting plant soon became a hot spot for hundreds of cafes and shops in Venice and for people looking for fresh roasted coffee. After 50 Years of history Sir Rizzardini chose a worthy successor who learnt the profession and decided to follows his footsteps.
Eventually, Bernardo Della Mea acquired the artisan roasting in 1995. With great foresight he decided to call his coffee “Caffè del Doge”. In few Years, thanks to Bernardo and his passionate staff, the small artisan roaster started to grow and develop in a dynamic and modern export-oriented coffee company.
In 2001 the production premise moved to Padua’s industrial area, a choice due to logistic and production needs. The roasting plant in Due Carrare has now a forefront roasting system that conserves the entire traditional processing method, known as the “Classico Veneziano” method.
Today, the same place that hosted the roasting, in Calle dei Cinque, is a Caffè del Doge coffee Bar, a place where coffee enthusiasts from all over the world taste our products.

Why the Doge? Who was the Doge of Venice

The Doge was the chief of the Supreme Court of the Venice Republic. He was established in 697 and lasted until the fall of the Republic, on 12 May 1797. For more than 1,100 years, Venice had 120 Doges. Originally, the Doge had an enormous power , which were limited in the 12th  century.
He was chosen among the nobles of the Venetian aristocracy and, once elected, he kept his office until his death. The term comes from the Latin word “dux” , which means leader, guide, chief. The most representative symbol of the Doge of Venice is his peculiar crown: the Doge’s horn.
the horn  was a garment of Byzantine origin embellished with gems, pearls and gold. It was.hand-stitched by the nuns of San Zaccaria and offered to the Doge in his Easter visit to the church. One of this precious headgears is preserved at the Museo Correr in Venice.

The Caffè del Doge logo is inspired by this important figure and our logo represents a stylized profile figure wearing doge horn.