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Delights from the region

Sustainability and regionality

At our Hotel Gartnerkofel, we always strive to be in tune with the times – with our own agriculture, we tend to and maintain our fields, meadows, and forests, and we serve you daily products from local producers.

Sustainability

Our approach

What started a few years ago with the world's first Slow Food Travel region in the Gailtal, Lesachtal, and at Lake Weissensee is now spreading extensively across Carinthia.

Here at the hotel, we also pay great attention to sustainability and source our products from regional producers. From the homemade jam, lovingly produced in-house, to the Gailtal mountain cheese, everything can be found at our abundant buffet.

Man in traditional vest standing in front of the hotel

On the topic of sustainability and regionality

Managing director and host Martin Waldner

The topic of "sustainability" is important to me; I call it "appreciation for farmers".

During my youth, I was able to spend a lot of time with my grandfather. We would go to the barn every day, do homework together, and he would tell me a lot of stories. My grandpa was born in 1910 and did not have an easy childhood; he could have complained, whined, or cursed, but he did not.

Unfortunately, he passed away much too early, at the age of 70. What remains for me are the many positive memories of him—his diligence, his respect for animals and nature, and much more.

And that's exactly why I want to continue "our agriculture", which my grandfather built up, to manage it properly again, and to make a valuable contribution for all of us.

In our farm, we process our pigs and cattle, making bacon, homemade sausages, liverwurst, and lard. We utilize hunting to provide our guests with the best meat.

Since 2022, we have been growing our own potatoes and harvesting them by hand with our entire team. Each year, we plan to introduce more products.

I see myself as a steward of agriculture, a farmer, and a producer. I am simply a person who does not want to lose, but rather strengthen, respect, appreciation, and above all, the connection to our homeland.

Together with our head chef, Mr. Kraschl, we seek local and honest producers who bring good food to the table.

With love for our homeland,
Martin Waldner

Family portrait in traditional dress in front of stacked firewood with dog

Family Sternig, St. Stefan in Gailtal

Eggs Sternig

It all started in 1969 when the first chickens moved into the Sternig family farm. Since then, they have focused on regionality and sustainability. The basis for the good taste and rich yolk color of the eggs is the freshly ground maize that they grow themselves on their fields. In addition to our own feed, they also generate a large proportion of the electricity they need themselves using a PV system with battery storage. Their Gailtal eggs are delivered from their farm directly to the hotel.

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Close-up of a honeycomb frame covered in bees

Family Segner, Hermagor

Honey – Beekeeping Segner

The Segner Beekeeping has been in existence since 1970. In this sensitive specialty area of agriculture, extensive expertise and competence play a significant role.

The founder of Segner Beekeeping, Hubert Segner, transitioned to beekeeping full-time in 1970 out of love for working in nature and with bees. It started with two beehives. Today, several hundred bee colonies are managed by the third generation.

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Family portrait in traditional dress in front of stacked firewood with dog

Wunderhof, Family Striedner, Förolach

Farmer's butter & soft cheese

Only when the animals are well cared for can there be first-class products of the best quality that comply with the strict EU regulations and requirements.

The Striedner family places the utmost importance on natural cultivation and harvesting of their own feed (hay, corn), species-appropriate rearing and slaughtering of the animals on their own farm, and careful refinement of all products.

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Cheese wheels in maturing room with Kärntnermilch logo

Dairy products

Kärntnermilch, from farmers from all over Carinthia

92 years of tradition and quality: We proudly look back on over 90 years of tradition and quality work. Outstanding innovations and developments in collaboration with 1,000 farmers, from the Großglockner to the Gurktal, from the Lesachtal to the Lower Carinthia region, are part of our pioneering achievements.

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Lettuce field in symmetrical rows in morning fog

Brückl or rather all of Carinthia

Vegetables – Firma Kärnten Taufrisch

The closely supervised collaboration of Kärnten Taufrisch with its regional producers guarantees you controlled and high-quality products.

They help to produce sustainable fresh vegetables and fruits under fair conditions and actively and sustainably create jobs in rural areas.

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Alpine cheese with cheese slicer, apples and walnuts

From the surrounding pastures

Gailtaler Alpine cheese and from the mountain

Cheese production has a long tradition in the Gailtal Valley. The alpine dairies were formerly used to preserve and make the freshly obtained alpine milk from the daily milking durable and storable. This tradition has been maintained and further developed until today.

Above the villages of the Gailtal, 13 alpine pastures produce the European Union protected original Gailtal Alpine Cheese by the Gailtaler Almsenner.

Baker holding a tray of freshly baked rolls

Family Moritz, Lassendorf

Bread – Bakery Moritz

Production begins around midnight. A lot of work steps are necessary, from heating the ovens to making the dough to baking the breads and pastries.

Small pastries and the classic rolls, which must not be missing from any breakfast table, are produced using long fermentation methods to ensure better taste and freshness. This means that the roll for tomorrow is placed in a cooling room today, allowing it to ferment without stress.

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Man with mustache presents sausage product in front of Wech ad wall

Hermine Wech, Glanegg

„Kärntner Henn“

WECH recognized the significance of organic poultry very early on and is now one of the leading suppliers of Ja! Natürlich and other organic providers in Austria. Through continuous investment in the company, WECH is today arguably the most modern operation in Austria. Nevertheless, despite the high technical and hygiene quality standards, the company philosophy has hardly changed since its founding in 1958.

At WECH, a respectful partnership is still maintained with over 270 poultry farmers, trade, employees, and especially the nearly 2 million consumers who enjoy a WECH product at least once a week.

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