The connoisseur who sniffs and savours a Williamine® Morand today would certainly be surprised to learn that the master distiller who watches over and keeps the fire of the still is none other than the grandson or great-grandson of the founder of the House of Morand.

More than a hundred years have passed since the founder, Louis Morand, distilled his first fruit brandies in 1889, marking the birth of the «Distillerie Morand». At his side, his wife, Mathilde, supported him in every aspect of the business. Using the resources of his native region, Louis Morand developed two liqueurs distilled from alpine plants «Grand Saint-Bernard» and «Simplon», which won the fledgling label gold medals at international exhibitions in Paris, Geneva and Turin.

Born in 1895, André Morand was just 19 years old when he took over the reins of the business from his father. His wife Anne-Marie was a trusty companion and adviser in everything he did. A man of character, gifted with intuition as well as passion, André Morand quickly realized how he could turn the celebrated fruits of the valaisan orchards to advantage. He expanded the range of products by distilling apricots, pears, apples and raspberries to make fruit brandies which soon proved a commercial success. But his stroke of genius remains the creation Williamine® Morand in 1953; it was this that made the company’s name on the international stage.

The distillery had the wind at its back when Louis Morand succeeded his father in 1958. With his sister Colette, he inherited an enterprise that was expanding at full tilt. One of the keys to the success of Louis Morand was to implement a highly selective marketing policy appropriate to the exclusive nature of the products. Now established as the world’s leading pear brandy, Williamine® is found in leading restaurants, at superior spirits retailers, specialist shops and leading department stores, as well as the best air and shipping lines. The combination of the Williamine® trademark and the name of Morand gave added impetus to the entire range of products. With a shared vision and sense of values for over 50 years, Louis Morand and his wife, Mireille-Louise, have developed the human relations and team spirit at the heart of the company, while taking an active part in public life.

In 2000, on the threshold of the new millennium, Julien Morand, youngest of the three sons of Louis Morand, and Bruno Vocat, son of Colette, joined the family firm. The challenge they faced was a formidable one: to maintain the high professional standards on which the success of the company was founded, to ensure the future of the valaisan fruit brandies and in particular the famous Williamine® Morand. Julien Morand and Bruno Vocat took the path trodden for more than a century and the philosophy based on an open and dynamic management style and made them their own. It is not given to them to deviate from the set trajectory. Neither of them acquired their vocation – they were born to it.