Chocolaterie Wanders

While out looking for Dancing Bears Gifts — I finally discovered just where the heck Chocolaterie Wanders is located! In an industrial/​commercial use park.
Be forewarned — this is not a retail store front location. I walked in and found myself in a chocolate production facility — albeit a very nice one. I met Willhelm Wanders, one of the owners and Master Chocolatier. I asked if I could buy some chocolate. He cheerfully stopped what he was doing to help me. I apologized for interrupting his work when I realized this is not a retail shop.
He was very gracious and told me all about the shop, and let me taste some chocolate. I ended up buying a large gift box of chocolate — half with milk chocolate and the other half with an espresso dark chocolate. They seemed to me to be very elegant, sophisticated chocolates.
Most of their output is for hotels, commercial businesses, shows and festivals, and so forth.
I love the fact that Willhelm is German and his title is «Master Chocolatier,» it just sounds so very cool — so whimsical and magical. He is a certified Master Pastry Chef — I think he earned that distinction back in Germany — he has this rather impressive culinary certificate — framed and matted hanging in the front office — but all in German. Fascinated — I asked him to read it to me.
My box of chocolate was $ 30.00 — I paid with a credit card.
Very nice people and delish chocolate!

I met Wilhelm Wanders, the master chocolatier of Chocolaterie Wanders, at the Virginia Wine Festival in Manassas last summer. Though not a fan of his whiskey truffle, I was stunned by the depth and complexity of its ganache and the silkiness of its outer chocolate layer. A further sampling of the zinfandel and chardonnay pates de fruit revealed bright flavors and expert execution. I talked with him at length, and learned that he had just completed a trip to Europe and was introducing his creations to DC area chocolate shops. I fervently hoped that I would enjoy his exquisite chocolates again.
My wish has come true.
Biagio Chocolate had a Wanders tasting weekend a few months ago, causing me to swoon while at that perfect little boutique. ACKC and Artfully Chocolate offer a select assortment of Wanders confections, and Sugarcube Sweets in North Old Town proudly displays the full line of Wanders truffles in its cases. Even though I have had no hand in the business, it’s nice to see the chocolates I adore moving into the hearts of other chocolate lovers. And into my hands.
I particularly love the cinnamon, espresso, Earl Grey, and cherry blossom truffles, and have a complex (if undecided) relationship with the rhubarb caramel. However, the port wine truffle’s flavor is a bit too subtle, while the whiskey truffle bites a bit too much. I will be trying the coconut, pistachio, and chat noir (ganache infused with lemon and peppercorns) on my next visit, which will be scrumptiously soon. Highly recommended.

My sweetie and I went to the Virginia wine festival last weekend and Chocolaterie Wanders had a booth there. Who would’ve known there was a gourmet chocolate company in Manassas? We sampled their raspberry chocolate and it was heavenly: fresh-​tasting raspberry flavor that didn’t overpower, a wonderful dark chocolate flavor not too sweet. We ended up buying a sampler box to take home. As chocoholics you can be sure we’ll be back for more!
I don’t think you can purchase from the company location but I could be wrong, I thought they mentioned a boutique shop in Manassas (?) Contact the conpany for where to buy.