Something in the water maybe?

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Is there something special in the water of Lower Franconia?

There must be something that makes the local people such great craftsmen and entrepreneurs.

The beautiful region of Lower Franconia in Bavaria Germany is the home to hills and forests, winding roads beloved of Motorcyclists in the summer and steep hills beloved by tobogganists in the winter.

Lower Franconia Countryside
Lower Franconia Countryside
Town of Lohr-am-Main
Town of Lohr-am-Main

Most people have heard the legend of Snow White but few realize that Snow White was a real person who grew up in the town of Lohr-am-Main where one can see the castle from which her wicked step mother banished her and the forests in which the 7 Zwerge or 7 Dwarves as we know them actually lived and where they sheltered Snow White.

Snow White's Family Home
Snow White’s Family Home
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall"
“Mirror, Mirror on the wall”

A few miles outside of Lohr you will find the tiny rural village of Rodenbach-am-Main and in a 400 year old building nestling amongst the farmer’s cottages you will find a tiny factory, the home of Eichenberg – the Snow White Gin Distillery.

Fabian Kreser
Fabian Kreser
Eichenberg Gin Still
Eichenberg Gin Still

The owner and manager of the distillery is Fabian Kreser, son of the local fruit farmer who having been away to college returned to work locally and start the Eichenberg Distillery which creates the Snow White Gin.  The Aromatic Gin is flavored with local produce grown on the family farm.  I can attest to its quality having had some experience of tasting gin myself over the years.  It has a delightfully fruity nose and can be enjoyed best extra dry in a Martini, preferably up, with a twist of lemon and a hint of orange bitters.

Snow White Gin
Snow White Gin

Not far away lies the village of Wiesthal, home of the Wenzel Group. From similarly small beginings in 1968, Werner Wenzel started his company working with the same ethic, using the highest quality materials and craftsmanship to make an inherently superior product.  Who would have guessed that 50 year later Wenzel would have become the largest family owned Metrology company in the world and a global leader in the fields in which it specializes.

View from the Wenzel Factory
View from the Wenzel Factory

The people of this region have an uncommon ability, maybe there’s something in the water.