Zotter Chocolate Factory as a real-life Willy Wonka experience
Zotter Chocolate Factory is hidden in the green hills of Styria, Austria, and for every chocolate lover it’s worth trying to find it. Actually, Zotter is more than just a factory
Zotter Chocolate Factory is hidden in the green hills of Styria, Austria, and for every chocolate lover, it’s worth trying to find it. Actually, Zotter is more than just a factory – it’s a mix of sensory exploration, pure joy and ethical production.
Visionary chocolatier Josef Zotter founded the company in the late 1980s, and it has transformed into a must-visit destination for foodies, families, and anyone curious about how chocolate is made.
One side note: You can combine a visit to Zotter Chocolate factory with a visit to Hallstatt.
The Choco Theatre
Visiting the Zotter Chocolate Factory isn’t just a quick tour, it’s a fully immersive experience.
The tour begins in the Cocoa Cinema, where you watch the intro film sitting on cocoa bean sacks – the film shows the Zotter path humorously and is a perfect start to this chocolatey journey. The tour continues to a series of tasting stations and production areas where you can sample chocolate at every stage of its creation.
Zotter is famous for its unique flavors, and here you get to try them all. Your spoon should be put to use directly under numerous taps and bubbling chocolate fountains. You can also try many different varieties of roasted cocoa beans, cocoa nibs, finished chocolate bars, and even hot chocolate. Flavors range from classic milk and dark varieties to experimental combinations like strawberry pepper or whiskey. Something for everyone! Throughout the tour, there are water fountains where you can clean your palate and prepare it for the next part of the tour.
As you move through the factory and its gallery, you can watch chocolate being tempered, molded, and packaged. To me, it’s fascinating, and it always reminds me how much craftsmanship needs to be involved.
