In the beginning, there was the Wild Raspberry...

As of 1913, Eugène Massenez would become an avant-garde distiller of Wild Raspberry for the first time... This Eau-de-Vie would go on to become a phenomenal success, mostly thanks to the loyalty of the Queen of Sweden who fell in love with this raspberry during her visits to Alsace.

She actually underwent regular treatment in Hohwald to tend to her lungs... thanks to Eaux-de-Vie. Massenez would also become an official supplier to the court of His Majesty the King of Sweden.

Massenez and fine French cuisine

However, it was only during the 1950s, with the third generation of the family, Gabriel Eugène Massenez, that the Massenez distillery experienced a real upturn. Both a pioneer and a visionary, Gabriel decided to look at the bigger picture and develop his brand in the high-end gastronomy industry, particularly in the large, renowned Parisian brasseries: Flo, Bofinger, Pied de Cochon…

Then his relationships and the quality of his products gave him access to the great Michelin-starred chefs of the time, such as Bocuse, Verger, Troisgros, Lameloise, Haeberlin, Blanc... and some beautiful restaurants like La Tour d’Argent, Maxime’s, Lenotre... And so, Massenez went on to impress the greatest French restaurants and become key figure in the gastronomy industry!

A head for business

Both talented in keeping a firm master hand on the business and investing in ultra-modern production machinery, Gabriel Massenez also had an innate business acumen! Massenez would go on to become the only Eau-de-Vie brand on board the ocean liner company Le France, a true symbol of France's industrial power, personally opened by General de Gaulle in 1960.

A new generation... And a new distillery!

In 1979, in response to strong growth, Gabriel decided to create a new distillery in Val de Villé. This was opened by Paul Bocuse, a great friend who was loyal to the Massenez family, and in the presence of several other great chefs from around the world.

Manou Massenez

Then the 4th generation made its entry into the distillery: from 1982, Manou Massenez, Gabriel’s daughter continued her father's work in exports, as well as developing the growth of the family brand in over 110 countries! Her feminine eye and commercial acumen have enabled her to lead Massenez into several global competitions otherwise reserved for Cognacs, and present Massenez Eaux-de-Vie and Crèmes & Liqueurs to the greatest sommeliers and barmen around the world. Manou's investment has also enabled Massenez’s brand image to develop, both in the world of high-end gastronomy with great French chefs like Robuchon, Ducasse, Savoy... and in hotel academies, barmen and private individuals...

From Massenez wine to Chile

As for Manou's brother, Dominique Massenez, he decided to diversify the family's activities in 1989 by investing in the wine-making regions of Chile.

Massenez partners with Grandes Distilleries Peureux

Partners with Grandes Distilleries Peureux since 2010, it was Mr Bernard Baud who directed the distillery in Alsace along with Manou Massenez and Elodie Naslin. Eager to ensure the quality of their products and conscious of the challenges in this sector of the spirits market, this strong trio continued to develop Massenez in terms of exports and within France using a feminine image, due to the historical importance of the raspberry and the emergence of a new consumer profile for cocktails: women!

Les concentrés de Cocktails

This concept of Miss Massenez cocktails allows the Massenez Distillery to modernize its image and make it accessible to a new audience. This is the birth of Cocktail Concentrates which notably allows the brand to associate itself with the most prestigious Alsatian events, in connection with the Chefs but also with other charity events, associations, foundations...and to register as the must-have for a chic and original cocktail bar, whether in Alsace but also in the most beautiful Parisian establishments.

The number one river cruise company in Europe, Croisieurope, headquartered in Strasbourg, will be the first to understand the value of these Cocktail Concentrates, made to simplify the preparation of cocktails and guarantee Massenez signature quality.

Garden Party®

Following in the footsteps of Gaby Massenez, who was always looking for innovations, Bernard Baud had the ingenious idea of pushing open the door of the kitchen garden...while the Massenez Distillery has been distilling fruits for generations and was the first to distill Wild Raspberry, it will also be the first to produce distillates and liqueurs of Cucumber, Espelette Pepper, Porcini, Garlic, Basil, Thyme, Dried Tomato...no less than 24 flavors make up this range, which has won numerous awards for innovation: Garden Party® is a unique range in the world that delights the greatest Mixologists and Chefs, who are surfing on the green trend!

Golden Eight®

It was in 2017, after a few years of research and reflection, that Distillerie Massenez launched the now famous Golden Eight® Pear Liqueur. Inspired by a recipe for Mr. Massenez's Pear Liqueur, this new recipe is also adorned with a beautiful engraved, Pear-shaped decanter and modern packaging. This divine Pear Liqueur, sublimated by a Pear Eau-de-Vie of more than 8 years of age, is the result of a teamwork between Master Distiller and Master Liquorist. Its vanilla and caramel notes give it an exceptional roundness and the Eau-de-Vie that composes it makes the finish long and voluptuous. A true symphony in the mouth, which in a few years has become one of the best sellers of the Massenez house, in France and abroad.