Pipemakers in the world today can boast such a long tradition. Three generations have dedicated themselves to this job, passing on from father to son a rich store of knowledge and continuity of which we are very proud. They number theirselves among the small circle of workshops considered "historical".

In 1899, after the closure of this company Stefano Santambrogio moved with his wife to Gavirate and was hired in the position of manager at the Fabbrica Pipe Rossi of Barasso.

In 1910 Stefano, enterprising, capable and charismatic, acquired a watermill and adjacent farmhouse in "Borghetto" at Gropello di Gavirate. In spite of numerous difficulties he began producing his first pipes using the watermill as his only source of energy powered by the nearby Roggia Molinara (a wheel with a nominal HP of 4.55 as recorded in documents dated November 15th 1922).

In 1926 the first electrical power became available and the waterwheel then worked alongside the first electrical motor of 5HP. This permitted him to increase the number of workers and in consequence the production to satisfy the growing demand for pipes. The production reached its peak in the 1930‘s and 1940‘s 130 workers were employed and about 100.000 pipes produced each month and exported to every corner of the world.

In 1951, after the death of the founder, his sons Renzo and Armando ensured the continuity of the company until 1981 when Stefano Santamgrogio, the present owner, took over on the death of his father, Renzo.

After his grandfather Stefano and his father Renzo, today it is another Stefano, who ensures the continuity of this work. He borned in 1952 and he told that before learning to say "papà" he said "pipe", demonstrating how closely this object was in symbiosis with his family.

Today in his small workshop he works together with his wife, Sara, and a trusted employee who has more than 10 years experience behind her. He chose to specialize in skilled, handicrafted products as it is not only a job for him: it is a passion.

Today the production is limited so that all pipes are made with such care and attention that sometimes he are sad to see them go. In every one of them there is a bit of him. They bring out his creativity, the desire to produce the best and he enjoys the beauty of them.

His pipes are produced following a classic model. Their lines must be clean and harmonious and well-balanced. The briarwood he uses is all of highest quality Italian provinence, seasoned naturally over a long period to best guarantee an optimum result.

He knows from experience that to create a good pipe the uniqueness of this spendid material must of necessity marry the simplicity and purity of line without sacrificing originality where needed but never falling into the trap of approximation or the banal.

A good pipe is never created by chance. It is the fruit of the equilibrium of the elements, an inate sense of esthetics, a skillful hand and, not least, careful attention to its functional character. Santambrogio pipes are made in this way, created for a good smoke, to be beautiful and to be appreciated over time. They contain all the tradition, the experience and the pride of three generations of Pipemakers and represent not just a label but also their page in history.