Thomas Prinz

What Thomas Prinz does

Thomas Prinz GmbH is a fourth-generation Austrian family distillery founded in 1886 in Hörbranz, Vorarlberg, on the shore of Lake Constance (Bodensee). Operating under the brand name Prinz Fein-Brennerei, the company produces fruit brandies (Schnäpse/Edelbrände), liqueurs and creams, herbal spirits, rum, and seasonal punch specialties across more than 60 product varieties. Its core technology combines traditional raw and fine distillation with a proprietary Hafele Brand double-distillation process developed in-house, used for specialty products such as Zirben Geist, Enzian Brand, Vogelbeer Brand, and Meisterwurz Geist, which are aged in stoneware containers for extended maturation.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via prinz.cc shipping to Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom; an on-site farm shop (Hofladen) at the distillery offering farm-gate (Ab Hof) pricing; in-person and online distillery tours including a tasting-box experience at €35 per person; and an annual Hoffest (farm festival). Trade-channel distribution into Switzerland is handled exclusively by partner Rund um's Glas Handels GmbH. Sub-brands include Nobilant (men's liqueurs in stoneware bottles), Nobilady (women's liqueurs), Hafele Brände (stoneware-aged premium spirits), Alte Sorten (wooden barrel-aged brandies), and Gamsblut (game-blood liqueur). Corporate/B2B gifting and Swiss specialty retail/hospitality are addressed as secondary customer segments alongside individual spirits enthusiasts.

The company is privately held, managed by Thomas Prinz Jun. and Maximilian Prinz as Geschäftsführer, and discloses no external investors, funding rounds, or headcount figures. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Pricing is unit-based and publicly listed, ranging from approximately €7.20 (0.2L cream liqueur) to €318 (1.5L vintage cuvée), with premium Hafele specialties priced from €34.60 (0.35L). No AI/ML, API, or platform technology layer is present in the disclosed footprint.

Name

Thomas Prinz

Legal name

Thomas Prinz GmbH

Website

https://prinz.cc

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Thomas Prinz GmbH is a fourth-generation Austrian family distillery (est. 1886) in Hörbranz near Lake Constance, producing 60+ varieties of fruit brandies, liqueurs, herbal spirits, and rum via traditional and proprietary Hafele distillation, sold D2C across five European countries, through a Swiss partner, and at its on-site farm shop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hörbranz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Spirits and Liqueur Sales: Direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales of fruit brandies (Schnäpse/Edelbrände), liqueurs, rum, herbal spirits, and related products through e-commerce and physical retail channels.
2. On-site Experiences: Revenue from distillery tours (Brennereiführungen), online tours with tasting boxes, and seasonal events such as the Hoffest (farm festival) including ticket sales.
3. Farm Shop (Hofladen): On-premises retail sales of spirits and accessories at the distillery location in Hörbranz, offering 'Ab Hof Preise' (farm-gate pricing).
4. Gifts and Accessories: Sale of gift packages, stainless steel flasks, glasses, vouchers (Gutscheine), and tasting sets.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Thomas Prinz GmbH operates a traditional Austrian Fein-Brennerei producing premium fruit brandies (Schnäpse/Edelbrände), liqueurs and creams, herbal spirits, rum, and punches through classic raw and fine distillation combined with the proprietary Hafele Brand Verfahren. The portfolio spans more than 60 varieties, sold direct to consumers via an e-commerce shop and on-site farm shop in Hörbranz, with distribution into Switzerland via Rund um's Glas Handels GmbH and direct shipments to Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.

Product overview

Thomas Prinz GmbH is a traditional Austrian distillery (Fein-Brennerei) founded in 1886 in Hörbranz near Lake Constance, now in its fourth generation of family ownership. The company operates as a single unified brand (Prinz) and manufactures a broad portfolio of fruit spirits (Schnäpse), liqueurs (Liköre), herbal spirits, rum, and seasonal/limited-edition products. The core product lines are: (1) Schnäpse & Edelbrände — traditional fruit brandies including Alte Sorten (wooden barrel-aged), Hafele Brände (stoneware-aged), and standard 34% and 40% fruit spirits in dozens of fruit varieties (apricot, Williams pear, raspberry, hazelnut, cherry, berry, etc.); (2) Liköre & Creams — including the Nobilant men's liqueur line (Kaffee, Orange, Kakao), Nobilady women's liqueurs, egg liqueurs (Eierliköre), cream liqueurs, and seasonal varieties; (3) Kräuter, Rum & Punsch — herbal spirits (Enzian, Zirbe, Meisterwurz, Wacholder), rum liqueurs (coconut, cherry, orange, Inländer rum), and seasonal punch; and (4) Geschenke & Zubehör — gift sets, stainless steel flasks, vouchers, and accessories. Supporting services include an on-site farm shop (Hofladen), physical and online distillery tours, and a recipe/cocktail collection. The company emphasizes traditional Austrian distilling craft combined with modern distillation technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prinz: Primary brand for schnapps and liqueurs from the Thomas Prinz distillery.
• Nobilant
• Nobilady
• Hafele Brände
• Alte Sorten
• Gamsblut

Products and services

• Prinz Schnäpse & Edelbrände Fruit brandies and noble brandies (Edelbrände) produced via traditional raw and fine distillation (Roh- und Feinbrand). Range covers the fruity 34% vol line, the traditional 40% vol line, the Alte Sorten (41% vol, wooden-barrel-aged), the Hafele Brände (45% vol, stoneware-aged), and Jahrgangs-Cuvées. Available in fruit varieties including apricot, Williams pear, raspberry, hazelnut, cherry, and more, in sizes from 0.02L miniatures to 10L bulk.
• Prinz Liköre & Creams Liqueurs and cream liqueurs including the Nobilant men's liqueur line (Kaffee, Orange, Kakao at 37.7% vol, packaged in stoneware bottles with swing caps), the Nobilady women's liqueur line, egg liqueurs (Eierliköre), cream liqueurs, yogurt liqueurs, wild liqueurs, traditional fruit juice liqueurs, and seasonal summer and winter liqueurs.
• Prinz Kräuter, Rum & Punsch Herbal spirits, rum liqueurs, punch, and Jägertee. Includes herb brandies (Enzian, Zirbe, Wacholder, Meisterwurz), rum varieties (coconut, cherry, orange), Austrian Inländer rum, herbal liqueurs (Alpenthaler, Hexenkräuter, Zirberla, Zirben Schnaps), and seasonal winter punch products.
• Prinz Geschenke & Zubehör Gift sets and accessories including personalized miniatures, stainless steel flasks (Edelstahl-Flachmänner) with spirit fill, voucher boxes (Gutscheine), enjoyment packages (Genusspakete), glasses and cups, pourers, and spirit stands, as well as themed flask collections (Camping, Wandern, Weidmannsheil).
• Prinz Brennereiführungen (Distillery Tours)
• Prinz Jahrgangs-Cuvées

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Rund um's Glas Handels GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for Prinz Fein-Brennerei products. Located at Romenschwanden 62, 9430 St. Margrethen, Switzerland. Handles all sales and distribution to Swiss retailers and end consumers. Contact: [email protected], Phone: +41 (0)71 744 07 66.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• St-Germain: Specialty floral liqueur brand (elderflower) positioned as a premium craft-style ingredient. Comparable to Prinz as an emerging/specialty liqueur player targeting cocktail and mixology occasions, though operating at different scale and ownership profile.

Broad incumbents

• Campari Group: International spirits and liqueurs group with multiple premium brands. Comparable as a broader incumbent in liqueurs and aperitifs, shaping the competitive context in which Prinz positions its Liköre and cream liqueur lines.
• Diageo: Global spirits conglomerate with broad premium portfolio. Represents incumbent competitive pressure on retail shelf access, marketing scale, and route-to-market against Prinz's regional DACH distribution.
• Pernod Ricard: Global spirits group with extensive liqueur and specialty brand portfolio. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for retailer mindshare and on-premise accounts across the same European geographies as Prinz.

Direct peers

• Reisetbauer: Austrian premium fruit brandy distillery in Upper Austria, known for high-end Edelbrände and limited editions. Comparable to Prinz on craft positioning, single-varietal fruit sourcing, premium pricing, and family ownership.
• Schladerer: Germany's leading fruit brandy (Kirschwasser/Williams) producer based in the Black Forest. Comparable to Prinz as a DACH-region fruit spirits specialist with broad retail distribution and a long heritage.
• Rochelt: Austrian family-run premium fruit brandy distillery based in Tyrol, producing single-varietal Obstbrände in stoneware vessels. Highly comparable to Prinz in craft positioning, aging methodology, premium pricing, and direct-to-consumer distribution.
• Brennerei Ziegler: German premium fruit brandy distillery (Schlehenfeuer, Mirabellen) known for high-end limited releases. Comparable to Prinz on specialty single-varietal fruit brandies and premium price positioning.
• Destillerie Freihof: Austrian distillery producing Schnäpse, liqueurs, and Edelbrände from Alpine raw materials. Comparable to Prinz on product portfolio breadth, regional sourcing, and Austrian market positioning.
• Williams Christ: Swiss/Austrian producer of Williams pear brandy and other fruit brandies under the Morin and Williams Christ labels. Comparable to Prinz on fruit brandy specialization, DACH distribution, and traditional production.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/schnaps.prinz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fein-brennerei-thomas-prinz-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thomas Prinz