2021

Chocolat Stella Bernrain moves into the new premises in Kreuzlingen. The new building houses Café Stella together with the SchokoLaden chocolate shop as well as the production facility with its state-of-the-art equipment – now occupying a production space of 3700 m².

2019

We launch our first Demeter-certified chocolate with the Stella brand. 

2016

The new Chocolat Stella shop opens at the railway station in Bellinzona.

2015

Chocolat Stella Bernrain receives the Swiss Packaging Award 2015 in the Design category for the packaging of the organic and Fair Trade line.

2014

Launch of the first vegan chocolate with coconut milk and coconut sugar. The bar also meets the requirements of the organic and Fair Trade regulations.

2014

On request, the chocolates are packaged with biodegradable foil instead of aluminium foil.

2013

Chocolat Stella moves into modern, new production facilities and obtains a large part of its energy requirements from a heat pump. In Kreuzlingen, a photovoltaic system positioned on the warehouse roof supplies the company’s own electricity.

2001

Monica Müller, the daughter of Adalbert and Ursula Müller, decides to pursue a future career in the family firm and fully familiarises herself with the chocolate business.

1991

Working together with OS3, now known as claro fair trade AG, one of the world’s first Fair Trade chocolates is developed. The cocoa is supplied by the El Ceibo cooperative of smallholders in Bolivia, the sugar by the Alter Trade cooperative in the Philippines. 

In the same year, the first organic chocolate is produced for Pronatec AG. To achieve this, Pronatec supplies the patented sugar Sucanat.

Over the years, partnerships continue to grow with various cooperatives in South America and Asia. Chocolat Stella Bernrain supports producers in the construction of fermentation and drying facilities, the establishment of tree nurseries and with training programmes.

1980

Dr Vanotti’s children express no interest in taking over the management of Chocolat Stella. He sells his company to Chocolat Bernrain AG.

1980

The continual expansion is also accompanied by the demand for sustainable production. A heat recovery system cuts fresh water consumption by 98%, reduces the company’s reliance on external energy and lowers CO₂ emissions.

1965

Adalbert Müller follows in the footsteps of his parents and, at 28 years of age, takes over the management of Chocolat Bernrain AG. His wife Ursula Müller manages the factory shop.

1960

Dr Franco Vanotti, the nephew of the founder of Chocolat Stella, develops the first sugar-free chocolate in Switzerland.

1956

Karin and Walter Müller take the bold step from their artisan production methods to industrial manufacturing with the construction of a modern chocolate factory.

1955

A strategic decision is taken with the production of the first private label chocolate in Switzerland for the “Lebensmittelverein Zürich” (Zurich Co-operative Food Stores). This marks the beginning of a focus on niche products.

1950

Karin and Walter Müller purchase Chocolat Bernrain. The young couple and their two sons move to Kreuzlingen.

1947

Walter Müller decides to start up his own business. In the 300-year-old family home, he and his wife Karin produce chocolate-covered marshmallows, “branches” (chocolate twigs) and liqueur-filled chocolate bottles. The products become extremely popular and the production rooms soon become too small.

1932

Heinrich Weibel establishes the Bernrain chocolate factory and delights his customers with confectionery products, chocolate-covered marshmallows, “hüppen” (filled wafer rolls) and “branches” (chocolate twigs).