Windspiel Manufactory

Windspiel Manufaktur, Potato Gin from the Volcanic Eifel

The Windspiel Manufaktur from the Volcanic Eifel distills Germany's first gin from potatoes grown in volcanic soil. Founded by Sandra Wimmeler and Denis Lönnendonker, it has grown into one of the best-known German gin distilleries. From award-winning Premium Dry Gin to non-alcoholic distillates, everything is made in-house.

Windspiel Manufaktur stands for handcrafted gin made from their own potatoes, distilled in Daun in the Volcanic Eifel. Their 47 percent Premium Dry Gin is created from mild potato alcohol and twelve botanicals; they also offer fruity and spicy editions, as well as a full line of non-alcoholic distillates. Idyllic nature, high water quality, and an unconventional idea—those are the ingredients of this distillery. At nur Gutes, you will find the entire range under one roof.

2014, a gin made from our own potatoes

Sandra Wimmeler and Denis Lönnendonker wanted their own gin made from their own potatoes, and that is exactly what they achieved.

In 2008, the pair found the Weilerhof farm in the quiet Volcanic Eifel and set out to create a potato spirit with a regional identity. For the cultivation, they brought in farmer Tobias Schwoll, and for the distilling, they enlisted experienced master distiller Holger Borchers. In 2014, the gin from Daun hit the market and achieved a breakthrough, quickly gaining international success as well.

The name plays on two of Frederick the Great’s passions: his "potato decree" of 1746 and his beloved Italian Greyhound dogs ("Windspiel" in German). This elegant dog breed has adorned the bottle ever since and represents the distillery's standards. Courage, a clear vision, and a good master distiller; that was all it took to turn a tuber into a celebrated distillate.

It is worth noting that the potato is a rare base for gin, as most gins rely on grain. The distillery attributes the particular smoothness that runs through their entire range to this decision.

The Volcanic Eifel, with its maars and mineral-rich soil, gives the distillery its character. Good water, healthy soil, and a quiet landscape—that is what you ultimately taste in your glass. Production here doesn't take place in massive halls, but in manageable quantities, bottle by bottle.

From Dry Gin to non-alcoholic

The range includes classic gins, fruity and spicy editions, and a growing line of non-alcoholic distillates, totaling thirteen products.

The flagship is the Premium Dry Gin, mild and elegant with twelve botanicals. Things get fruity with the Pink Grapefruit Gin at 37.5 percent, and spicy with the Kampot Pepper Gin featuring red pepper from Cambodia, and the Caxambu Coffee Gin made with Brazilian coffee distillate. Three gins, three distinct characters, and yet all from the same house.

For the cold season, there is the golden Christmas Gin with real gold flakes, and for an aperitif, the Aperitivo Bitter Orange Liqueur with 16 percent alcohol. This way, you have a suitable bottle in your cupboard for every season and occasion, from a light summer spritz to a warm, wintry Gin Tonic by the fireplace.

Those who choose to abstain from alcohol will also find what they are looking for at Windspiel. Their spicy non-alcoholic distillate has notes of clove and allspice, complemented by a fruity Pink Grapefruit, a zesty Limone di Sicilia, and a bittersweet Spritz. A distillery that takes connoisseurs seriously, both with and without alcohol.

Home-grown potatoes, twelve botanicals, hand-crafted

Windspiel Manufaktur relies on its own raw materials, regional ingredients, and traditional craftsmanship.

The raw alcohol is made from potatoes from the Weilerhof farm, freshly distilled every year after the autumn harvest. Twelve botanicals—from juniper and lemon peel to ginger, lavender, coriander, cinnamon bark, and pepper—are macerated and distilled with meticulous manual care. Juniper sets the tone, while citrus and ginger provide freshness and lavender adds a floral note.

The non-alcoholic distillates follow the same high standards.

This ensures the brand's signature remains recognizable throughout the entire range, from the robust 47 percent gin to the non-alcoholic distillates. Diligence and hand-craftsmanship are the common thread running through every bottle.

This reliability is rare and honest at the same time. You know what you are getting, and yet you are still surprised by every edition because a different botanical or fruit takes the lead.

Gold at the World Spirits Award 2016

The Premium Dry Gin from Windspiel Manufaktur has won numerous awards, both for its taste and its design.

In 2016, it won gold at the World Spirits Award for both taste and presentation. For years, the distillery has been among the top five most important German gin producers—a remarkable journey for a house that began with a potato-based idea.

The striking blue bottle also received the Red Dot Design Award and the German Design Award. Here, design and content are taken equally seriously, from the dog breed on the label to the spirit in the glass.

Over the years, many more medals have been added, from international spirits competitions to design prizes. We are intentionally listing only the most important ones here, because a long list says less than a good sip in the glass.

The awards honor the distillery, not us, but they show you that there is more behind the name than just a pretty label. Hats off.

The Dry Gin in a Gin Tonic

Depending on the occasion, a different favorite from the Windspiel Manufaktur range finds its way into the glass.

Classically, one drinks the Premium Dry Gin in a Gin Tonic, mild and floral, with a lemon zest. For the summer, reach for the fruity Pink Grapefruit Gin or the non-alcoholic Spritz version. As a gift, the golden Christmas Gin makes a brilliant impression, also for milestone birthdays or a Golden Wedding anniversary.

If you prefer it spicy and sociable, the Caxambu Coffee Gin is a lovely companion for late in the evening. If you like it hot, the Kampot Pepper Gin goes into the Gin Tonic with a few crushed peppercorns. This way, every taste finds its perfect bottle in this range.

If you like to look beyond the ordinary, you will also find exciting German gins from a small distillery at Ferdinand's Spirits. Windspiel's own range spans from robust juniper to non-alcoholic citrus freshness. This is how the Eifel tastes in a glass, and you decide for yourself whether to have it with or without alcohol. Let yourself be surprised by how much character can be found in a potato.