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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.

Edward Snell – Whisky from South Africa

Edward Snell founded a trading company in Durban in 1848, from which the oldest spirit company in South Africa developed over 160 years. Following an eventful history, the company is now once again in the hands of the family. Besides their own brands they also sell numerous local and international drink brands, mostly in various markets in Africa and the Middle East.

The wide range of products includes whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and cognac. One outstanding label is Firstwatch Whisky with its new look, a striking, square bottle design. Consumer demand for a whisky with an American taste profile has been perfected over time and is presented today as a balanced blend of the finest imported rye and grain. Whether pure, on the rocks or mixed – its diversity makes it popular with many different target groups and successful in one of the largest spirit segments in South Africa.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Firstwatch Whisky.

Vittorio Capovilla: Perfection of quality

Vittorio Capovilla typifies Italian distillation culture – with elegant fruit brandies and perfect grappa. Only the fresh marc of different grape varieties is used for the excellent grappa range and the raw materials for the fruit brandies are selected. Only 100% distillates (no gin or spirits) were produced until 15 years ago, when he began to distil rum. In the year 2018, Capovilla received the WSA‘s lifetime achievement award.

At the foot of Monte Grappa in the Venetian Maritime Alps, in the historical cellars of Villa Dolfin in Rosà near Bassano, stands the modern distillery of a quality fanatic – constructed according to a perfectionist’s design.

The number one Italian distiller is also an international star. Whilst still managing to keep his feet on the ground, ‘Gianni’ is still the same kind and charming, decent, nature-loving person who is full of passion and zest for life. In his philosophy, he is uncompromising and persistent, from the search for raw materials to the design of the bottles. The highest quality is still paramount where grappa and fruit distillates are concerned, which are always produced without ‘sugar refining’, and which have established a new understanding of quality in the phrase ‘Spirits made in Italy’.

The World Class Distillery 2022 OBB and World Class Distillery 2022 GRAPPA received gold for Grappa Amarone legno, Distillato di Amarene di Montagna, Distillato Bierbrand legno, Grappa Barolo, Grappa Traminer, Grappa Moscato Giallo, Grappa Moscato Rosa, Distillato di Vino Diesel Farm and Distillato di Mele Cotogne. Silver was awarded to Distillato Prunus Aurum, Distillato di Sorbo dell’Uccellatore, Grappa Bassano Centenario and Distillato di Vino Parusso.

Carpenè Malvolti – Sparkling wine specialist with a sideline in distillates

In 1868, Antonio Carpenè laid the foundations for the internationally successful company it is today. The champagne enthusiast was convinced that he would be able to produce a similar cult beverage with the local Glera grape, harvested from the wine hills around Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. That this has been accomplished for almost 145 years is confirmed by the huge popularity of the sparkling wines and the high export percentage of 56%. Although 5% of production is of distillates in the form of brandy and grappa, they only form a small segment of the business next to the 95% made up of sparkling products. However, they are just as successful due to the long experience in the distillation industry since 1868.

In 1972, Etile Carpenè joined the company and became the fourth generation to take over its management. He has always had the same passion for the mixture of tradition and progress, as well as being the great innovative impulse behind the continuous success of the company. The company’s headquarters are located in the famous wine town of Conegliano in Veneto, about 40 kilometres to the north of Venice. A second winery is in Follina in the middle of the Valdobbiadene region. Here, besides the well-known DOCG Prosecco Superiore, distillates are also manufactured, and they are only released onto the market after a long maturing period in oak barrels.

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Brandy 15 anni, and silver for Grappa di Prosecco.