Roner Gewürztraminer Riserva wins World Drinks Awards 2025 in London 👏✨

The history of distillation in the Alpine region begins as early as the Middle Ages. Its roots lie in the mysterious magic of alchemy and in monasteries, where distillates were used in small quantities to make healing tinctures and potions. From there, the knowledge spread to the peasant population as well.

Distillation experienced its peak during the reign of Maria Theresa, when peasants were granted the right to distil a certain amount of tax-free brandy. In their iron and later also copper kettles, they no longer boiled only water for laundry and pig feed. But thanks to a boiler, a cap and a coil, the peasant kettle was transformed into a micro-distillery for domestic use. Downstream, leftovers from viticulture and fruit growing were distilled to make a peasant spirit, often quite coarse. At higher altitudes, distillation focused on roots and herbs and especially on rowan berries, which according to legends had an almost medicinal effect.

As early as around 1900, many small "full-time" distilleries sprang up in South Tyrol and North Tyrol. At first, partly as smugglers, then officially to supply the Wehrmacht during the war years on behalf of the German Reich.

On December 6th, in many Alpine regions, it’s not only “St. Nicholas Day” that is celebrated — for all distillers it is a true professional feast. It’s a moment in which we reconnect with our roots while also commemorating what drives us every day: the art of turning fine fruit, time, experience, and care into a clear, honest spirit. St. Nicholas embodies values that shape our work as well: responsibility, generosity, protection of the community, and craftsmanship with heart.

The WSA awards ceremony takes place somewhere else every year. " It is always where many good distillers come from", says Wolfram Ortner "And especially where all the superstars of the industry come from. We are pleased to be able to come to Roner in South Tyrol this year, home of so many good distilleries."

A country becomes a stage – Jazz a part of the landscape.

On July 5, 2023, at 11 a.m. the South Tyrolean Jazz Festival is coming back to the Roner Distilleries in Tramin.

Every year on the first Sunday of October, Italy’s Distilleries open their doors. Durin guided tours through the distilleries, tastings of the best grappas, the finest liqueurs and the noblest fruit distillates in combination with selected culinary delicacies, the visitor is given the unique opportunity to look the master distiller’s shoulder.