Award-Winning Dietz Distillery’s Five Judges Gin Is Putting Texas Hill Country on the Global Map—One Sip at a Time
Austin, get ready to rethink what you pour.
While the shelves at your local liquor store may be stocked with familiar names, the next must-try bottle isn’t from London or New York—it’s from Fredericksburg, Texas, where Dietz Distillery just scored global recognition for its handcrafted Five Judges Gin.
Fresh off a Silver Medal win at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)—one of the most respected contests in the industry—this small-batch gin is raising eyebrows from Georgetown to South Congress.
Distilled with a Texas twist on traditional London Dry style, Five Judges Gin isn’t just a beverage—it’s a bold, flavorful statement from a distillery doing things the old-school way, with heart, heritage, and Hill Country terroir.
A Texas Gin With European Discipline
Located at the scenic Fischer & Wieser Farmstead in Fredericksburg, Dietz Distillery is helmed by Dietz Fischer, a former apprentice to Austrian master distiller Markus Wieser. Fischer merges precision distilling techniques with local Texas ingredients—resulting in spirits that honor both Old World craftsmanship and Lone Star boldness.
“WE’VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN HONORING TRADITION WHILE CAPTURING THE BOLD SPIRIT OF TEXAS,”
DIETZ FISCHEROWNER AND DISTILLER.
“TO SEE OUR FIVE JUDGES GIN RECOGNIZED ON A GLOBAL STAGE IS A TREMENDOUS HONOR.”
This isn’t mass-produced, flash-distilled gin. It’s a spirit with soul—made slowly, thoughtfully, and rooted in both local agriculture and global technique.
Inside the Bottle: Five Judges Gin
So what does an award-winning Texas gin taste like?
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Style: London Dry, juniper-forward
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Botanicals: Classic herbs layered with local citrus from the Rio Grande Valley
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Flavor Profile: Bright citrus zest balances deep herbal notes, with a clean finish that’s tailor-made for martinis, G&Ts, or neat pours over a single cube
The name Five Judges comes from five prominent community leaders—J.B. Wieser, Jarvis Wieser, Mark Wieser, M.A. Dooley, and Julius Schuchard—who once lived and served on the land where the distillery now stands. It’s more than branding; it’s a bottle full of legacy.
Beyond the Gin: A Farm-to-Glass Philosophy
Dietz Distillery launched in 2021 as part of a broader culinary empire—the Fischer & Wieser family is already known for gourmet sauces, jams, and wine jellies. The distillery reflects this heritage, with a focus on locally grown fruit, careful fermentation, and copper-still distilling.
Beyond Five Judges Gin, the distillery also produces seasonal fruit brandies made from peaches, pears, and plums grown right on the property—spirits that reflect the agricultural integrity of Texas Hill Country and would feel right at home on shelves in Austin’s best bottle shops or speakeasies.
Why Austin Should Take Notice
In a city where cocktail culture is booming—and where craft spirits and sustainability matter—Dietz Distillery is exactly the kind of producer Austin should be paying attention to. With Garrison Brothers and Treaty Oak paving the way for Texas-made spirits, Dietz brings something different: a Euro-Texan hybrid style that’s both distinctive and deeply drinkable.
If you love a thoughtfully built Negroni, a refreshing elderflower gin fizz, or a classic dry martini, Five Judges Gin deserves a spot in your rotation.
Where to Find It (Hint: Plan a Road Trip)
Currently, Five Judges Gin is only available at the distillery in Fredericksburg, making it a perfect excuse for a weekend getaway. Tastings and tours are available on-site, and the rolling vineyard views and German-Texan charm make the trip as enjoyable as the gin.
But with growing recognition and rising demand, don’t be surprised to see select bottles landing soon at high-end liquor stores in Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock.
Final Sip: A New Standard in Small-Batch Texas Spirits
The SFWSC Silver Medal isn’t just a trophy for Dietz Distillery—it’s a testament to the power of small-batch, passion-fueled distilling. In a world of big brands and polished campaigns, Five Judges Gin stands out by staying grounded—in history, flavor, and craft.
So whether you’re a gin loyalist, a Texas spirits fan, or just someone who values flavor with a story, this is one bottle worth seeking out.
Raise your glass, Austin—Texas gin has gone global, and it starts right here at home.
