OUR STORY

THE WHY

Because pizza deserves a hot sauce!

 

THE ORIGIN STORY

I first had the idea of an Italian squeeze-bottle hot sauce after being banned from buying Calabrian chilis because I had stained multiple dining room tablecloths.

Why was this unique flavor bomb drowned in oil and trapped in a messy little jar? Why did I have to spoon it out and destroy everything on the way to my plate? Why isn't there a hot sauce that compliments pizza, America's favorite food?

 

THE SAUCE

MOTO brings the iconic Italian heat of Calabrian chilis in an easy, no-mess squeeze bottle. Fire up pizza, pasta, panini, protein, and veg!

Calabrian chiles are medium-hot red peppers from Calabria, a region in southern Italy. Known for their bright, fruity flavor with sweet, smoky, and tangy notes, they range in shape and color, from green to yellow to red when ripe. Their balanced heat and vibrant taste make them a popular choice in Calabrian cuisine. 

 

THE NAME

The name MOTO is a nod to the vintage scooters at the intersection of two lifelong fascinations: My Italian heritage (Vespa originates from Tuscany; Lambretta from Milan) and British underground music (the two-wheelers have remained subculture icons spanning the eras of mod, ska, punk, new wave and indie).

 

THE FOUNDER

I'm a native Northern Californian where my family has been in the grocery business since the 40s. I’ve spent the last 25 years working with iconic global brands and award-winning agencies. 

On the side, I’ve marketed music festivals, launched restaurants, toured the world in an indie rock band, and blogged about the intersection of food and music. MOTO is where all of this experience comes together. And it has been an absolute blast so far!

 

THE NORTH STAR

MOTO is proudly based in San Francisco, my home of over twenty five years. I love the way that food brings us together and there will always be a seat at our table for people of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. Great taste in music is optional but preferred. 

 

THE COMMUNITY

MOTO was launched on Kickstarter with the support of generous family, friends, and complete strangers(!) I am forever grateful to the following people:

Cheryl and Allen Mancasola, Michael and Ingrid Alberts, John and Molly Mancasola, Debbie Sharp, Kim and Michael Keckta, Andrew Keeler, Marie Roake, Loren and Kristina Perciante, Danny Heleniak, Matt Kelly, Darrell Whitelaw, Kristin and Kent Jamieson, Andrea and Trent Tuthill, Rene and Jenny Casis, Dave Lambert, Marc Peralta, Woniya and Geoff Fedoroff, Piper and Matt Norris, Matthew and Eileen Thornton, Cari Field, Mary Locke, Gledy and Carlos Espinoza, Dan and Amy Greenfield, Julie Wise, Matt and Brigitta Dougherty, Igrid Llewellyn, Aaron and Amy Noveshen, Sho Kumamoto, Ben Roberts, Brent and Jackie Spain, Todd Mason, Laurie and Jeff Pomeranz, Oscar Guinn, Ronda and Dave Paris, John Frazier, Kiira Mancasola and Vincent Sacco, Edward Breckenridge, Charles Brack, Shannon Cuddy, Ross Siegel, Chad Sinclair, Carla Green, Chad Beller, Tom Deboisserie, Tim McDonald, Chris Holdiman, Kip and Annette Williams, Rick and Vicki Kraft, Megan Lynch Chowning, Maj-Britt Llewellyn, Chris Mele, Matt and Amy Beier, Jason Willmon, Scotty and Jolie Bastable, Matt Fielder, Brian and Kimberly Bounds, Lance Marcos, Kevin and Alisa Rafter, Robby Cromholm, Lucas Johannes, Geoff Peveto, Jeanine Southall, LindaKay Brown and Dan Luscher, Joe Jackson, LJ Kitten, Aria Kraft, Anita Phagan, Holger and Stephanie Luedorf, Sean Husk, Cris Advincula Jr., Krista D'Archi, Chris Stephens, Christopher Dye, Gabe and Emily Luis, Kelly and Conor Forde, Tobi Garelick, Kristi Kempf, Ron and Lauren Machado, Karen and Frank Ha, John McGinnis, Paula Rivers and Steve McConnel, Osama Gataani, Sharon and John Hayes, Mark and Ashley Michaels, James and Lana Chapin, Allyson and Rene Denis, Bob "Boom Boom" Penn, Ken Lovgren, Blair Shehan, Stacy and Andy Gaebe, Caitlyn Reichelt, Richard Thomas, Tom Testo, Lane Buschel, Ben Kellam, Janelle Copek, Rick Taylor, Nick Looker, Brit Leek, Terri Christopher, Josiah Ferris, Cara Williams, Tony Portugal, Johnny Parker, Marc Escobosa, Sean Leow, Marc Hawthorne, Joleen Pearson, Christopher Appelgren, Dan and Kelly Correa, Tim McCoole, Mike Markel, Ben Steed, Daniel Norris, Greg Jacobs, Anthony Grzesiak, Vicki Helms, Stephen Hadinger, John Liu, Liam Munro, Derek Kinsman, Tara, Lauren Creamer

 

Let's MOTO!
Colby

FAQ

  • Colby Mancasola founded MOTO in 2025. He loved Calabrian chilis and wanted to create a squeeze bottle hot sauce that complimented Italian dishes, particularly pizza - America's favorite food.
  • MOTO is headquartered in San Francisco and produced near Sacramento. Many of its ingredients are imported from Italy.
  • The name MOTO is a reference to vintage Italian scooters like Vespa (Tuscany) and Lambretta (Milan)
  • In addition to Calabrian Chili Hot Sauce, MOTO PROVISIONS offers spice blends, herbs, gift sets, and other Italian pantry items.
  • MOTO is 100% independent and family-owned. It was partially funded by a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign in early 2025.