Founded 1872Krems-Stein
Wachau apricot distillery founded 1872 and operating in Krems-Stein under the registered name Erste Wachauer Marillen-Destillerie. Uses triple distillation of ripe Wachauer Marille apricots from 1,500 estate trees; awarded the Austrian State Coat of Arms in 1977. Tours available from 15 persons by appointment.
Tip: The Steinertor shop (Schwedengasse 2, Krems) offers walk-in tastings and the Apricot Lounge serving dumplings; the distillery in Krems-Stein runs guided production tours by appointment.
Wösendorf
A premium Wachau fruit distillery in Wösendorf producing Marille schnapps from locally sourced apricots in traditional copper stills. The extended product range includes apricot eau-de-vie, liqueurs, home-roasted single-origin coffee, jams and natural cosmetics from the apricot kernel.
Tip: Additional outlets in Dürnstein and Krems (Obere Landstraße 28) for walk-in retail; farm shop at Wösendorf headquarters. Phone: +43 2715 2544.
Mühldorf / Spitzer Graben
A farm distillery at the end of the Spitzer Graben where the Wachau World Heritage region borders the Waldviertel plateau. The entire Wachau apricot experience is offered on-site: jam, brandy, nectar, liqueur and frizzante in a guided farm tour.
Tip: Located on the old Roman road in Ötz, accessible on the Wachau heritage trail; one of the most authentic apricot-distillery farm visits in the region.
Founded 1994Kirchberg-Thening (Upper Austria, 45 min from Krems)
An artisan distillery founded by Hans Reisetbauer in 1994. The completely rebuilt 2019 facility near Linz is energy self-sufficient. Wachau apricots feature in the flagship eau-de-vie range alongside Williams pear and plum. Distillery open to visitors.
Tip: Located in Kirchberg-Thening, Upper Austria, about 45 minutes from Krems. Phone: +43 7221 63690. The full spirits portfolio includes Blue Gin, whisky and vodka alongside the acclaimed fruit brandies.
Founded 1938Dürnstein
The estate distillery of Domäne Wachau produces a noble, clear Marillenbrand distilled from sweet ripe Wachau apricots grown on the estate's south-bank orchards. The apricot brandy is available at the Vinothek shop alongside the estate wines.
Tip: The Marillenbrand can be purchased directly from the Vinothek shop at cellar-door prices; the apricot brandy pairs with a vineyard picnic from the estate's Wine.Vineyard.Picnic programme.
Fritzens (Tyrol, 3 hrs from Wachau)
An artisan family distillery in Fritzens, Tyrol, producing Wachau apricot eau-de-vie from apricots sourced on the Danube banks. The brandies age at least 4 years before release and are produced in four hand-hammered copper stills.
Tip: Rochelt brandies are distributed internationally as premium Austrian fruit eau-de-vie. The distillery is open to visitors and maintains a shop selling the full range.
Spitz
A Spitz winery estate with 7 hectares on steep terraces and a seasonal Heuriger run by Erika Gritsch. The estate produces Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd whites as well as apricot specialty products during the harvest season.
Tip: The Heuriger opens several times per year for traditional Wachau-style wine and food; holiday apartments available at the estate. Phone: +43 664 4287724.
Spitz
The collective of Wachau family farms producing apricot brandy and specialty products under the protected EU geographical indication 'Wachauer Marille' (protected since 1996).
Tip: The July Marillenkirtag (apricot festival) in Spitz brings all collective producers together on the market square; the best single opportunity to compare styles across multiple farmhouse distillers.
Founded 1872Dürnstein
The Dürnstein retail outlet of Bailoni (Erste Wachauer Marillen-Destillerie, founded 1872), stocking the full Bailoni range of apricot liqueurs, brandies and frizzante products produced at the Krems-Stein distillery. Located in central Dürnstein.
Tip: One of two Dürnstein locations; stock matches the Steinertor flagship shop. The Wachauer Gold Marillenlikör (the Austrian state coat of arms holder) is a signature purchase.
Dürnstein
One of two Dürnstein retail outlets of Wieser Wachau, the Wösendorf farm distillery. Sells the full range of Wieser apricot spirits, preserves, single-origin coffee and natural cosmetics. Convenient walk-in retail during the Dürnstein visitor season.
Tip: A second Dürnstein location exists; both are part of the Wieser Wachau network with headquarters at Hauptstraße 13, Wösendorf. Phone: +43 2715 2544.