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Roner: Most awarded distillery in Italy

In the year 1946, Gottfried Roner laid the foundation stone for the family enterprise that has been dedicated to the art of distilling for three generations. The distillery based in Tramin on the wine route is South Tyrol’s top address when it comes to fruit distillates, grappa, liqueurs, gin and more in the highest quality, as well as being the most awarded distillery in Italy. The extensive range includes over 80 products. First-class fruits and marc from South Tyrol and the environs serve as a basis. With a fine touch, commitment and ambition to achieve the best at all times, they bring together the aroma and taste of the raw ingredients expressively in the bottle.

A milestone in the company history was the inauguration of the innovative vacuum pot still ‘Luisa’ in 2018, named after the wife of the company founder. This pot still unique throughout Italy is a homage to the art of distilling and a glimpse into the future. Visitors can appreciate its beauty on a guided tour and sample a pear brandy made according to traditional procedures. The brandy filled into a copper-coloured bottle delights connoisseurs and enthusiasts with its gentle and refined taste, reflecting traditions and modernity.

At the World Spirits Award 2025, there was Gold for La Gold Grappa Riserva, Williams Reserv and Alpler, and Silver for TER Lignum Whisky and Caldiff.

Matheus Pálinka – Fruit brandies based on ancient Hungarian traditions

Matheus is a model sophisticated Hungarian company and its products bear the “Hungaricum” title of honour. Only fruits grown, harvested and distilled in Hungary are used in the distillates. “Pálinka” – the colloquial term for schnapps – has a long-standing tradition in Hungary as the climatic conditions produce very flavoursome ripe fruit.

The history of Matheus Pálinka began with a booklet which emerged at an auction. And what secrets did it contain? As long ago as the 16th century, Franciscan monks in the northernmost corner of Hungary (now the Szatmár-Bereg administrative district) were producing high-percentage fruit brandies which they refined to create healing essences using herbs and spices. The production of the modern Pálinka products is based on these old recipes which form part of the country’s culture and authentic Hungarian gastronomy.

The brandies in the ranges “Matheus Spirit” (60% vol.) and “Matheus Classic” (50% vol.) are left to mature in mulberry wood casks for at least three months, which emphasises the silky flavour and the aroma of the fruit. The “Matheus Fruits” (44% vol.) are unfiltered distillates matured on a bed of dried fruits, combining modern technology with old traditions. The wide range of products includes apple, apricot, elderberry, cherry, plum, quince, sour cherry, blackthorn, blackcurrant and Williams pear.

For the 15 samples submitted, Matheus received four golds and eleven silvers at the World-Spirits Award – ranking 13th in the fruit brandy category as a Master-Class Distillery.

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.