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Altvater Gessler – Specialities with great tradition

At the end of the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century, ‘Altvater Gessler’ and ‘J.A. Baczewski’ were well-known brand names, associated with a large variety of high quality alcoholic drinks.

The roots of the company date way back to the 18th century, and the branch, which was founded in Silesia in 1873, gained great importance with the slogan ‘3 words: Altvater – Gessler – Jägerndorf’. It became a purveyor to the court of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor and was awarded gold medals at the world exhibitions in 1888 in Melbourne and St. Petersburg, in 1889 in Barcelona and Brussels, in 1900 in Paris, and in 1904 in Vienna. After the collapse of the Empire, individual businesses were founded in the successor states and licences were issued to manufacturers of Gessler products. After the Second World War, most of the businesses in Eastern Europe were nationalised. Only Vienna remained in the possession of the Gessler family and was run for 60 years by Eduard Gessler. Exports were expanded to Australia, Africa and America. In 1980, his son Elek re-established the company under the name ‘Altvater Gessler – J.A. Baczewski GmbH’: which is still a famous name for spirit specialities following old traditions today.

Classified as a First Class Distillery in 2019, there was double gold for J.A. Baczewski Piolunowka, gold for J.A. Baczewski Orzechowka, Gin Monopolowa, Vodka Monopolowa, J.A. Baczewski Ovovit, J.A. Baczewski Suweren and J.A. Baczewski Whisky, silver for J.A. Baczewski Pomeranczowka and J.A. Baczewski Jezynowka, and bronze for J.A. Baczewski Morelowka and J.A. Baczewski Wisniowka.

Der Zweiger: Synergy of a strong family

The Zweigers run an honest, artisanal business whose top priority is the high quality of their products: “Quality is our philosophy, and we feel committed to it. Innovation and constant quality controls ensure exclusive products of the highest quality.” This ambitious motto has followed the dynamic company into its current third generation. “More than 90 percent of a distillate’s quality is determined by the quality of the fruits. Even brilliant distillers won’t succeed with mediocre fruits. Good distilling is a craft, and a great deal of experience and feeling is required.”

The product range includes the finest brandies, harmonious cream liqueurs, gin, full-bodied whiskies, as well as frizzante sparkling wines and craft beers. In addition, there is a vineyard area covering 15 hectares where Pinot Blanc, Schilcher and Sauvignon Blanc are cultivated. The highly aromatic brandies are created by means of an elaborate distillation method. The most important aspect is the quality of the raw materials, which are carefully selected and processed. The products can be sampled in Gießenberg near Mooskirchen or at special events (www.zweiger.at), and tours of the company which include regional delicacies can be organised upon advance reservation. The Schnapsothek with its wood and glass interior invites guests to taste the products in a welcoming atmosphere.

The World Class Distillery 2023 (Distillery of the Year 2023 – Silver, Bitters & Liqueurs) received double gold for Steirischer Eierlikör aus Bio-Eiern (egg liqueur) and Schoko-Kokos Cremelikör (chocolate-coconut cream liqueur) (World Spirits Award 2023 & Spirit of the Year 2023), gold for Steirischer Single Malt Whiskey, DER Almkräuter (herbs), Kürbiskern Cremelikör (pumpkin seed cream liqueur), Smoked OAK Single Malt Whiskey and Steirischer Marillen Cremelikör (apricot cream liqueur), and silver for Tonkabohne Cremelikör (tonka bean cream liqueur) and Bitter.

Georg Hemmeter – XUXU, Escorial, SILLA EL FUERTE

Georg Hemmeter – strawberry drinks with exceptional flavour guaranteed

The name Georg Hemmeter – a company of the Underberg Group – stands for innovative spirits, in particular the XUXU range. The fresh and fruity strawberry drink contains 66 percent fruit plus crystal-clear vodka, rounded off with a dash of lime. The harmony between the sweetness of the fruit and just 15% alcohol by volume is created using a special production method. XUXU Ten, the little luxury in a 250 ml aluminium bottle with only 10% alcohol by volume, is dressed to party – it is still relatively new to the market, yet is already at home in all the world’s top party venues.
XUXU can be served in so many different ways: chilled, neat, on crushed ice, as a dessert topping, with sparkling wine or with other mixers – XUXU tastes heavenly and offers fresh and fruity pleasure. Welcome to Berrydise!

Initially the absolute top star in Greece, XUXU is now also number 1 in Russia, and extremely popular in Turkey and Italy too.


XUXU Strawberry & Vodka Drink and XUXU Ten won Gold at the World Spirits Award 2014.