Ortenau
Bimmerle distils at Oensbacher Strasse in Achern-Moesbach, an Ortenau operation whose house brands include Needle Gin and Loerch and reach far beyond the Black Forest.
Tasting: Production site rather than a cellar door; enquiries go through the Achern-Moesbach office.
Tip: This is a working production site rather than a tasting bar, so contact the office before turning up.
Ortenau
An Oberkirch distillery turning the Renchtal's orchard fruit into Braende and Likoere, a few streets from the Oberkircher Winzer cooperative's own Vinothek in the same town.
Tasting: Braende and Likoere sold from the Heugasse premises and through the distillery's own shop.
Tip: Pair the stop with the Oberkircher Winzer Vinothek on Renchener Strasse, a five minute drive away.
Ortenau
A small family distillery in Ebersweier, a Durbach hamlet minutes from the Riesling slopes, turning locally grown fruit into Braende sold direct from the premises.
Tasting: Direct sales from the house in Ebersweier, by arrangement with the family.
Tip: Ebersweier sits just off the Durbach wine route, so combine it with the village cooperative's Vinothek.
Kaiserstuhl
Riegel producer bottling an unfiltered Kaiserstuhl Dry Gin at the northern edge of the volcanic massif, a spirits counterpoint to the Burgunder estates on the slopes above.
Tasting: Orders and enquiries run through the company's shop line rather than a walk-in cellar door.
Tip: There is no regular walk-in counter, so call the shop line before planning a stop in Riegel.
Tauberfranken
Ziegler still distils at its founding site in Freudenberg am Main, the Main-Tauber corner where Baden meets Franconia, and supplies restaurant lists across Germany with fruit Braende.
Tasting: Distillery shop at the founding site in Freudenberg am Main, with the full Obstbrand range.
Tip: Freudenberg is about 20 minutes from Wertheim, so it fits a Tauberfranken Bocksbeutel day rather than a Kaiserstuhl one.
MarkgraeflerlandMo-Fr 09:30-12:30, 14:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
Staufen's fruit distillery has worked the Black Forest kirsch tradition since 1844, operating at the southern end of the Markgraeflerland where the vineyards meet the hills.
Tasting: Factory shop selling the fruit-brandy range, open weekdays with a midday break and Saturday mornings.
Tip: The shop shuts for a long midday break on weekdays, so arrive before 12:30 or after 14:00.