Karin Roner

Rooted in Tramin, Open to the World

In the Roner Distillery in Tramin, the air is filled with the scent of ripe fruit and fine spirits. With bright eyes, Karin Roner pours a visitor a small glass of her Gewürztraminer grappa – the very drop that was crowned World’s Best Grappa at the 2025 World Drinks Awards in London. As managing director of this long-standing family business, she leads the distillery in its third generation with passion and an innovative spirit. Her mission: to capture the essence of her homeland, Tramin, in high-quality spirits – and share it with the world.

“My kindergarten was the distillery.”

Even as a three-year-old, she once – to her grandfather’s horror – reached not for water, but for her first sip of schnapps. Growing up among copper stills and orchards, her path seemed almost predestined.

And yet, for a time, she considered studying architecture. In the end, though, out of conviction, the elder of two sisters followed in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, taking over the management of the Roner distillery in 2007 at the age of 42. Since then, she has shown that tradition and female leadership complement each other perfectly – no other distillery in Italy has collected more awards for its spirits in recent years.

A World Champion from Tramin

The recent award in London marks a true highlight: Best Gold World Champion for the Grappa Gewürztraminer Riserva. A grappa that, after years of aging in barrique casks, develops depth and elegance that are second to none.

“It’s especially gratifying,” she says, “because people traditionally associate us with fruit brandies – less with grappa. This shows that even here in South Tyrol, in the cradle of Gewürztraminer, we can produce world-class quality.” But she values the younger, fresher grappas just as much: brilliant, crisp, and straightforward. Stainless steel instead of barrique.

A Feminine Touch

Finding her place in a male-dominated industry was anything but easy. Karin Roner relied on her own style – and earned respect. She tells one story with a smile: after a long phone conversation, a caller mistook her for the secretary and finally asked to speak to the boss. Her reply: “Then you’ll have to call another company – here, you’ve already reached the top.”

This mix of humor, confidence, and clarity defines her leadership. During the last major renovation of the distillery, she created spaces that radiate both warmth and elegance. Visitors immediately sense it: there’s a feminine touch – tangible, inviting, unmistakable. But leadership, she believes, also reveals itself in challenging times.

Facing Crises – with Foresight

Crises are part of entrepreneurship, just as harvests are part of the yearly cycle. But Karin Roner knows how to cushion their impact. Her strategy: never rely on just one pillar. “We have to be structured so that no single segment can ever shake the whole.” This philosophy carried the distillery through difficult years – especially during the pandemic, when she quickly converted production to make disinfectants. For her, it wasn’t an act of desperation but one of responsibility – toward employees, the region, and society. Foresight, pragmatism, and the courage to take unconventional paths – this is how the substance of the company endures, even when circumstances are uncertain.

Sources of Strength

Despite her tireless commitment, she knows the importance of taking breaks. She recharges in many ways: walking through the vineyards, playing with her grandchildren in the sandbox, gardening – or ironing. “No one believes me, but that’s when I really switch off. And sometimes, that’s when the best ideas come.”

This balance between personal calm and collective strength also defines her relationship with her family and team.

Family, Team, and Community

What sustains the distillery is far more than copper and wood. It’s a network of people, relationships, and mutual responsibility. The fourth generation is already involved, transitions are planned, guiding principles written down. But Karin knows: paper alone doesn’t ensure success. “I can’t achieve anything on my own. Every employee is a link in the chain – and only if everyone pulls together, everything works.”

You can feel this spirit in Tramin. Many employees have been part of the company for decades, contributing not only their skills but also ideas, passion, and a sense of responsibility. For Karin, they are the heart of the business.“Maybe we South Tyroleans can be a bit complicated sometimes,” she says with a smile, “but we’ve got determination.” That very determination – paired with loyalty and reliability – is, for her, one of the company’s most valuable assets.

Thus, the Roner distillery in Tramin is more than just a business: it’s a living network of people, relationships, and trust. Deeply rooted in the village, closely connected to local associations and the community, it reflects a culture that reaches far beyond its products.

Staying True to Yourself

For Karin Roner, innovation doesn’t mean reinventing oneself. It means changing while staying faithful to one’s roots. “Hold on to tradition, but stay open to the new – without losing yourself. Staying true to yourself – that’s our path.”

For her, the art of distilling is not just a craft. It’s conviction, a philosophy of life, and passion.

(Text from Erica Furini)
October 2025