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Limomacher: Regionally produced – socially labelled

Limomacher is a young Bregenz enterprise, according to their own definition “excellent in graphics, design, customer service, lemonade production, social involvement and coffee drinking”. However, a look at the brief biographies of the four-person team reveals quite a bit about their wide-ranging qualifications. All lemonades are produced regionally in Vorarlberg according to their own recipes. Short pathways right up until labelling – also labels for private customers and companies on request – reinforce sustainability, along with filling exclusively in glass bottles. The labelling, as well as the whole warehousing, are handled by Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg, a support organisation for people with disabilities. This is an indication that social thinking has been of great importance from the beginning.

At the beginning of 2018, the ‘Franz von Durst’ brand started in Spar shops, followed by the start-up shelf at Metro. The company developed a gin along with a tonic water for this purpose, as the first manufacturer in retailing that offers both as a one-stop shop. The gin that is also regionally produced goes perfectly with the tonic water and its animating and aromatic concept offers an exceptionally fruity drinking experience. Aside from the juniper base, five further botanicals play a role: angelica root provides a slight tanginess and supports the homogenous taste; orange peel is characterised by a range of aromatic substances and a fine hint of citrus; liquorice provides a complex sweetness with a slightly earthy note; elderberry has an intensive and refreshing taste; and hops gives it a special something.

“We are delighted that the Vorarlberg locals have received our gin so well and that we can expand step by step also into other provinces,” say the two young entrepreneurs.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was achieved by Franz von Durst Gin, and silver by Franz von Durst Dry Gin Wild.

Tradition Mexico – Tequila without compromises

The friends behind Padre azul, the new tequila in the premium segment, stand united on one matter: their passion for Mexico. “We appreciate high quality tequila, and with Padre azul we are bringing an exclusive product to Europe. We searched for the perfect distillery for a long time. At Tres Mujeres in Jalisco in the highlands of Mexico we found what we were looking for.” 100% Mexico – 100% handcraft – 100% agave.

These requirements and quality criteria apply to the whole production process, which is why each bottle also wears the sought-after quality seal from the Mexican authorities, “Consejo Regulador del Tequila” (CRT). There were no compromises when it came to the design of the bottles: they are made by hand and adorned with a 270g skull which represents the skull culture of Mexico.

Padre azul is available in three grades of maturity, depending on the length of storage. The Añejo usually spends eighteen months in French oak barrels to achieve a mature, full-bodied taste. The Reposado needs at least eight months in barrels for its subtle vanilla tone. The Blanco is a clear tequila which is bottled straight after distillation – it is soft and mild in taste. None of the three need salt or lemon – you can enjoy them neat. True to the motto: no compromises.

At the World Spirits Award, the trio was very successful: there was double gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul anejo, gold for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul reposado, and silver for Super Premium Tequila Padre azul blanco.

Lehar – The liqueur manufacturer with a successful recipe

Josef Lehar, a relative of Franz Lehar (the ‘king of operetta’), established an enterprise in 1902 that also had to do with composition – in his case harmonious distilled spirits, vinegar, oil, and tea – and which was able to continue growing, even through times of crisis. At the first international exhibition for ‘Trade, Commerce and Social Hygiene’ in 1908, a herb liqueur – the ‘Original Lehar Bitter’ – was awarded a certificate of honour. The company was taken over in 1976 by Mr. and Mrs. Wiesböck and transformed into the company it is today. Since March 2007, Dietmar Messner, a qualified graduate in business administration and a market researcher, has been running the business according to tradition as the owner.

Today, a wide range of high quality products is available at the modern company in Ebreichsdorf: the company focuses predominantly on the production and bottling of alcoholic products from Austria and abroad, the production and trade of speciality foods and diabetic products as well as other health, pharmacy and cosmetics products. The spirits sector deals with liqueurs, brandies, spirits, schnapps, rum and bitters as well as international brands, Gerasdorfer brandies and fruits in alcohol.

Together with the more than 100 years of experience, high processing reliability and strict quality controls ensure an appealing price-performance ratio for all Austrian retail chains, regionally organised and non-organised specialist dealers, retailers and the catering industry. Lehar’s success is not limited to Austria – the company’s fine products are also appreciated internationally, with exports to Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Slovakia.

Lehar’s imaginative compositions won classification as a ‘Master Class Distillery 2014’ at the World Spirits Award, with gold for the Likörmacher Herb Liqueur, Likörmacher Egg-Poppy Liqueur, Likörmacher Advocaat-Rum-Coconut and Likörmacher Hazelnut, and silver for the Likörmacher Advocaat-Vanilla and Likörmacher Damson Liqueur.

Zöchmeister = wine & brandy

A wine voyage to Bordeaux in 1989 was the trigger for a passion for wine. Christian Zöchmeister, then just 22, applied his curiosity and thirst for knowledge in his practical work from this point onwards. He attended specialist courses and presentations, undertook additional excursions and started to take the small family business (selling grapes from 4 ha of vineyards) in a new direction. He planted new varieties of grape and the quality of the wine-growing production took off – aided by the favourable climatic conditions around Lake Neusiedler See. In 1993, a new field of business was added: a schnapps distillery which developed with success over the years.
The small and select assortment comprises various fruit brandies (sour cherry, cherry, damson, apple, Williams pear, apricot and peach) as well as natural products made from grapes or pomace and home-grown wine including wine brandy (aged for many years in oak casks) and grape marc made from aromatic varieties. The consistent quality work has also paid off in this sector, securing the company a number of prizes in regional and international competitions. All of the products represent the style of the varieties, the special climatic conditions and the distinctive terroir. Their expression and individuality offer greater insight into the product origins than any words ever could.
The company was also the subject of much discussion at the World Spirits Award and was classed as a First Class Distillery 2013. There was also gold for the Birnenbrand Cuvée (pear brandy) and Weinbrand Zigarrendestillat (cigar wine brandy) and silver for the Tresterbrand Gelber Muskateller (grape marc) and Maschanzker Apfel im Holz (apple aged in wood casks).