Moto Calabrian Chili Hot Sauce

MOTO Hot Sauce, operating as MOTO Provisions, is an independent, family-owned specialty food brand headquartered in San Francisco, California, with production facilities near Sacramento. Founded in 2025 by Colby Mancasola, the company was partially funded through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign and was built around a passion for Calabrian chili peppers and Italian-inspired condiments. The brand's flagship product is a Calabrian chili hot sauce formulated specifically to complement Italian dishes, with a particular focus on pizza. The name MOTO pays homage to vintage Italian scooters such as Vespa and Lambretta, reflecting the brand's deep affinity for Italian culture and heritage. The company's tagline, 'Calabria by Way of California,' captures its identity as an American brand rooted in Southern Italian culinary tradition. MOTO's hot sauce is crafted using simple, high-quality ingredients including imported Calabrian chilis, extra virgin olive oil, Mediterranean sea salt, honey, vinegar, and spices. Calabrian chilis are medium-hot red peppers grown in the Calabria region of Southern Italy — located at the toe of the Italian peninsula's boot-shaped map — known for their fruity, smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavor profile. The resulting sauce delivers bright, balanced heat with tangy acidity and depth, intentionally positioned as a medium-heat table condiment rather than an extreme heat product. It is described as vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free, broadening its appeal across dietary preferences. Beyond its core hot sauce, MOTO Provisions offers a growing range of Italian pantry items including spice blends, dried herbs, gift sets, and other specialty grocery products, positioning the brand as a broader Italian-inspired condiment and pantry company. Products are available through a growing network of independent grocery stores and specialty food retailers across 40 U.S. states, with a store locator available on the brand's website. The company also sells direct-to-consumer online. MOTO has received notable endorsements, including praise from Graham Elliot, a chef recognized with Michelin stars, James Beard Awards, and appearances on Top Chef and MasterChef. The brand maintains an editorial blog called the MOTO Journal, which features collaborations and profiles with food and culture figures, reinforcing its community-driven, independent brand identity.