Harald Gasser is a special kind of farmer. On the slopes above the Isarco valley, he cultivates over 400 varieties of rare and almost forgotten vegetables. What began as an experiment now features on the menus of the ADLER Resorts and Lodges in South Tyrol: white carrots, chard roots, moringas and other rarities which – like all regional specialities – bear the ADLER REGIONAL PARTNER seal of quality.
Every ADLER resort is situated in a unique location. Introducing guests to the uniqueness of our surroundings is part of our philosophy, and serving tasty regional dishes made from locally-sourced, sustainable premium ingredients is one of the many ways to do it. One of the flagship ADLER REGIONAL PARTNER products is the aromatic mountain cheese – specially produced by our chefs in cooperation with the Hof zu Fall cheese factory in Siusi. This natural cheese is produced using only quality milk from the grey cows that graze on the mountain pastures at the foot of Mt. Sciliar. In the Val d'Orcia, a few steps from the ADLER Thermae, organic cereals and spelt are grown. The grains are stone-ground in the Mulino d’Orcia mill, and used to produce the homemade bread and tasty croissants that have become great favourites among our guests in Tuscany.
The idea of offering a gourmet experience focused on fresh, genuine ingredients from a short supply chain has been the cornerstone of our active cooperation with numerous local farms. This is our way to support the local economy – especially small and medium businesses that adhere to natural farming techniques and good breeding practices. Just like us, they care about a balanced ecosystem, the preservation of biodiversity and the protection and enhancement of the beautiful rural landscapes that Tuscany and South Tyrol are blessed with.
Delicious apples, apricots, cherries, strawberries and raspberries, crunchy salads from the Venosta valley (VI.P Coop) and the fragrant ADLER herbal teas (Pflegerhof) are but a few of the products bearing the ADLER REGIONAL PARTNER quality seal. The gourmet apple juices from the Renon mountains (Kohl) and succulent Wagyu beef fillets (Oberweidacherhof) are also part of our South Tyrolean selection. In Tuscany we have several varieties of 100% local organic honey (Villa i Cipressi), ancient cereals, legumes and rare chick-peas (Biofattoria l'Upupa), finest saffron (Crocus Brandi) and pure sheep’s milk pecorino cheese ((Fattoria Pianporcino), as well as tasty cold cuts from Cinta Senese pigs – an ancient breed of domestic pig bred in a semi-wild state in the area around Siena (La Bottega delle Carni). Other products from our own estate include excellent wines, olive oil and sweet-sour vinegar – all organically farmed.
We stay in direct contact with all our regional partners. We meet regularly to exchange ideas and experiences, taste new flavours and develop joint projects. It is indeed this exchange that gives life to new, creative culinary creations of outstanding quality – for when responsibility for the land, harvest and production is shared, it is easier to dare.
For the love of our land, for the pleasure of our guests.
Klaus Kier
ADLER Spa Resorts & Lodges