León & Zincker is the company behind Vishniak Z, a high-end cherry liqueur. This product is a tribute to my maternal grandmother, Regina Testa Arueste, who served this liqueur on special occasions. She learned to make it from her mother and grandmother, migrants from Monastir (now Bitola, North Macedonia) who arrived in Chile in the early 20th century. This signature alchemy fuses the freshness of sour cherries with a family recipe, preserving a piece of memory in a contemporary and versatile version.

For four years, we developed prototypes until we achieved the perfect formula. In response to the growing demand for premium artisanal liqueurs from consumers seeking sophistication and sustainability, in 2023 León & Zincker launched Chile’s first Vishniak. This high-end, all-natural product contains no additives, has a lower alcohol content than its competitors, and is produced under a low-emission philosophy.

The vishniak (Polish for sour cherry), or vishnik, originates from Eastern Europe and Russia. Our formula consists of three ingredients: sour cherries (sourced from the O’Higgins and Maule regions), five-times-distilled grain alcohol, and sugar. The maceration process lasts a minimum of eight months. It is perfect as an aperitif or digestif and can also be explored in mixology, opening the door to new flavors, aromas, and textures. We offer a recipe book with 12 simple and replicable preparations that showcase the product’s versatility. In 2023, The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago included Vishniak Z in its national cocktail menu, where it became the key ingredient of the “Sanhattan.”

We have been awarded a Gold Medal at the Catad’Or World Spirits Awards 2023 in Chile and a Silver Medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2024 in England.
We are also part of Marca Chile, which reinforces our national and international identity and prestige.

About the Cofounders: Andrea León and Jorge Zincker, residents of Talca, Chile, are a married couple with extensive experience in major companies and both public and private national organizations. Andrea, a journalist by profession, is in charge of the company's management, social media, communications, partnerships, marketing, and sales. Jorge, a chemist, has 25 years of experience in the wine industry and in R&D. He is responsible for creating the magic of Vishniak Z, as well as overseeing production processes, quality, sustainability, and product development.

Vishniak Z, from Maule to the poetry of the glass.