1. Nearly 25 years ago, La Marzocco USA—a company long revered for its products and its
impact on the specialty coffee industry—launched a new line of espresso machines that proved to be
the standard of excellence: the Linea.
Not only did this piece of machinery grow up alongside the specialty coffee movement, it
ushered that movement onto the international stage, introducing millions of consumers the world over
to the fine art and science of expertly crafted espresso.
Since its launch in 1990, the Linea has served as a steadfast workhorse in leading cafes and
restaurants wherever amazing shots of espresso are pulled. It has been a mainstay in a business that is
constantly evolving, and its accessibility, approachability, and performance level makes it a perfect fit
in nearly any coffee-serving establishment; the clean lines and simple charm of the Linea occupy many
of the cafés, roasteries, and chains whose names now define the industry.
“The first time I worked on a Linea I was terrified,” recalls Nathan Lyle Black, a barista at
Chicago's Wormhole Coffee and coffee educator for HalfWit Coffee Roasters. “The steam wands were
twice as powerful as what I was used to at the time, and the simple rocker switches on the groups
forced me to address the dependence I had on automatic machines. It was incredibly humbling, but I
learned a lot.
“As espresso machines get more and more complicated, I find myself missing the simple,
understated nature of the Linea I used to work on,” he continues. “It was a straightforward tool, but an
effective one.”
The Linea, to date, has been (and continues to be) one of the most consistent espresso machines
on the market; its design, function, nor mechanics have never been modified or updated since its
inception back in 1990.
At an upcoming SCAA Expo, however, that will change for the first time in its long history.
Piero Bambi, honorary President of La Marzocco, son of Giuseppe Bambi, and nephew of

2. Bruno Bambi, the brothers who founded La Marzocco in 1927, has spent much of his life carrying on
his father's and his uncle’s legacy of building the finest-quality espresso machines. Piero had a hand in
the design and engineering of every La Marzocco espresso machine currently in production, and the
Linea Classic was the first machine for which Piero led design.
La Marzocco has a proud history of being a family-run company and the names of their
products embody that commitment. Each La Marzocco espresso machine is named to recognize or pay
tribute to their past, their family, and their traditions.
The La Marzocco FB series, for example, which was launched in 1997 during their 70th
anniversary celebration, is named for the Fratelli Bambi (or, “the brothers Bambi”). The La Marzocco
GB/5, released in 2005, Piero Bambi named in honor of his wife, Giovanna.
To celebrate his upcoming 80th
birthday, to honor his dedication to the company, and in
recognition of his bearing witness to the history of the specialty coffee industry itself, the new machine
has been named La Marzocco Linea PB.
The La Marzocco Linea PB will be unveiled to the public at the SCAA Expo in Boston,
Massachusetts, on April 12th
.
From there, it will embark on a mini world tour, making appearances at the London Coffee Fest
in London, England on April 25th
and at the World Barista Championship in Melbourne, Australia on
May 23rd
.
While La Marzocco is playing their cards close to their chest regarding the details of the Linea
PB's technical and stylistic modifications, SCAA attendees can expect to take part in plenty of hands-
on demonstrations.
To recognize this important milestone in the history of the La Marzocco Linea, La Marzocco
USA recently launched the Linea Love Campaign.
For many people, the Linea holds a great deal of nostalgia—it may have been the first espresso

3. machine they learned to pull shots with, or it was the first machine they purchased for their cafe, or
they have incredible stories about the Linea’s ability to deliver in high volume environments, some
people even shared stories of meeting the love of their life while working on a Linea.
The Linea Love Campaign invites members of the specialty coffee community to share their
fondest memories of the Linea in writing, song, video, a photo, a drawing at www.linealove.com.