Hepp Distillery - Eau de Vie - Mirabelle from Alsace - 45%
The Hepp Distillery is located in Val-de-Moder, right in the heart of the renowned Alsace region. With a long-standing family tradition, the Hepp family has been passing down their exceptional know-how in the production of artisanal eaux-de-vie for several generations, starting in 1972 by distilling fruits harvested from their orchard for the residents of Uberach. Building on this expertise, the Hepps founded a distillery dedicated to commercial production, sourcing exclusively local fruits from the commune and its surroundings, thus guaranteeing authenticity and consistent quality while strictly respecting traditional Alsatian techniques. Yannick Hepp, the current master distiller leading the distillery, works alongside his father on an ambitious restructuring project that began in 2000. This investment has modernized the facilities, optimized distillation equipment, and increased storage capacity, meeting the growing demands of enthusiasts of fine and authentic eaux-de-vie. The distillery's quality policy rests on three fundamental pillars: rigorous selection of exceptional raw materials, meticulous respect for production time to enhance natural elaboration, and a constant pursuit of continuous improvement in quality and taste.
The selection of fruits, a true cornerstone of production, is carried out with extreme care to obtain optimal raw material. Two manufacturing methods fully express the fruity aromas in each eau-de-vie produced: distillation from natural fermentation of the fruits or distillation after a delicate maceration of the berries. In the first process, fresh fruits are placed in vats where they quickly transform into a dense, sweet must. After 24 to 48 hours, spontaneous fermentation begins, initiated by the natural yeasts present on the fruits, lasting about ten days before slowing and then stopping completely after six weeks, once all the sugar content has been converted into alcohol. Once fermentation is complete, the vats are hermetically sealed awaiting distillation, a crucial step to extract pure and refined eau-de-vie. For certain varieties such as raspberries, blueberries, or other wild fruits with insufficient sugar content, a prior maceration is carried out in a wine eau-de-vie. This process extracts intense and complex aromas that could not be obtained by fermentation alone. Distillation, performed according to local traditions, is done in a single run. This method retains only the "heart" of the distillation, carefully removing the "heads" and residues called "tails," to produce an eau-de-vie with harmonious and balanced flavors.
Choosing Hepp Distillery means ensuring an authentic Alsace mirabelle eau-de-vie that meets the highest standards of quality and tradition, a true treasure for lovers of artisanal eaux-de-vie made in France and exceptional spirits to be discovered exclusively at Clos des Spiritueux.
