Norizia Apotheker’s Aquavit
Grafschaft, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Apotheker’s Aquavit was a German aquavit produced by Norizia-Kellereien GmbH in Nürnberg. The known bottling was released at 41% ABV in a 0.7-litre bottle. The label describes it as a rich, aromatic aquavit, finely balanced with spice distillates (“Würzdestillate”), and recommends serving it well chilled, preferably in chilled glasses.
The bottle belongs to the Nürnberg period of Norizia-Kellereien, before the company moved its headquarters to Grafschaft-Gelsdorf in 1991. Apotheker’s Aquavit is an old discontinued product and is no longer part of Norizia’s current range. Its pharmacy-themed name reflects Norizia’s long-standing connection with the German pharmacy trade.
Bottle gallery
About the producer
Norizia Kellereien GmbH
Grafschaft, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Norizia-Kellereien GmbH is a German wine and spirits company with roots in the pharmaceutical trade. Its origins can be traced to a Nürnberg wine business specialising in medicinal wines, which was connected with the pharmaceutical wholesaler ANZAG. In 1939, the business was established as the independent Norizia company. The company’s articles of association are dated 20 March 1939.
Norizia developed a particularly close relationship with German pharmacies and pharmaceutical wholesalers. Rather than operating solely as a conventional wine and spirits producer, the company supplied products specifically through the pharmacy trade. This connection was reflected in its range, which included wines, sparkling wines and spirits with pharmacy-related names and presentation. Historical products included Apotheker’s Aquavit, a 41% ABV aquavit produced during the company’s Nürnberg period.
In 1991, Norizia moved from Nürnberg to Grafschaft-Gelsdorf in Rhineland-Palatinate. The company continued its specialised relationship with the pharmacy sector after the relocation. In 2014, on its 75th anniversary, Norizia was described as having supplied pharmacies for more than 75 years and as serving exclusively pharmacies, resellers and pharmaceutical wholesalers.
Norizia-Kellereien remains active today in Grafschaft. Its business includes wine, sparkling wine and spirits, and the company continues to specialise in supplying pharmacies and commercial customers rather than private consumers. The pharmacy tradition is still visible in its modern product range, including products marketed under the “Apotheker” theme.