Rodate strain

In 1995, Franco Rossi purchased the Il Ceppo pipe factory from Giorgio Imperatori. He had previously worked with Bruto Sordini, the owner of the Don Carlos factory, who in turn had collaborated with Giancarlo Guidi of the Ser Jacopo company, which had originally founded the Mastro de Paja factory. Like most Italian pipe makers, Franco Rossi does not mark his pipes with his own name but rather with the inscription ‘Il Ceppo’, which refers to the origin of the briar pipes. Although his work bears a resemblance to the shapes of the aforementioned brands, Franco Rossi has developed a distinctive style characterised by faceted bowls, a feature rarely found in Italian pipes. Franco Rossi and his sister produce 1,500 pipes a year, nearly half of which are exported to the United States, where the Il Ceppo brand is, quite rightly, highly renowned. All his products boast meticulous craftsmanship, excellent performance and a surprisingly affordable price.