Stiegl-Gut Wildshut, St. Pantaleon, Innviertel

Sigmund Freud could only dream of this place. Then as now.

Fairytale stories about palaces and mansions almost always begin with “Once upon a time”. Though not those about Stiegl-Gut Wildshut. In this particular case, it would be more appropriate to say, “Then as now”. For here, progress lies in taking a step back. Back to nature. Back to ourselves. Then as now, at Stiegl-Gut Wildshut in St. Pantaleon it is the beauty of simplicity which garners all the excitement. This is a unique oasis of balance, knowledge and happiness. Here, the Kiener family – owners of Stiegl – have created a true place of power, where visitors can pause for thought and consciously experience nature. Observers are invited to rediscover the “little things” in daily life and nature which are so easily overlooked. But beware! You might also bump into someone you haven’t encountered for a while: the real “you”.

In the garden of Stiegl-Gut Wildshut in St. Pantaleon (c) Photo Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser
In the garden of Stiegl-Gut Wildshut in St. Pantaleon (c) Photo Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser

For in this romantic, over 100-years-old idyll in the Innviertel region, the person per se also has found their rightful place. Impressed by the beauty of simple things and rediscovering a joyous sense of lightness. And yes, indeed, it would even have brought some joy to Sigmund Freud. After all, it was not until he sat down in his empty treatment room and met the most important patient of his life, himself, that he began jotting down his dreams. He might well have found the Wildshut specialties (the beers and spirits in particular) quite conducive – this virtuoso of psychoanalysis was also a devotee of “consciousness-expanding” substances after all – as personal companions on the rewarding journey to his inner self. Visitors to Stiegl-Gut Wildshut already savor these same joys, though in moderation. At least for a time, they live out their dreams, for every day at this beer estate is highly effective balsam for the soul. Truly.

Hop poles at Stiegl-Gut Wildshut in St. Pantaleon (c) Photo Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser
Hops at Stiegl-Gut Wildshut in St. Pantaleon (c) Photo Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser

A celebration of life surrounded by indigenous plants and ancient breeds of animals. Then as now, this beer estate – incidentally, the first of its kind in Austria and, presumably, also in Europe – stands for sustainable agriculture, for diversity and, above all, for the intrinsic joys of experimentation and moments of mouthwatering enjoyment. And so it is that Mangalitza pigs grunt a friendly hello to visitors, whilst spent brewing grains provide them with nutritious, tasty meals. Pinzgau cattle graze on the spacious fields of this organic farm shoulder-to-shoulder with Tyrolean mountain sheep, while Dark Bees buzz busily around consciously sown strips of flowers. And Stiegl-Gut Wildshut doesn’t only provide a beautiful home for animal species that are threatened with extinction – here, almost-forgotten ancient grain varieties are cultivated, malted and ultimately refined at the all-wood brewery into Wildshut specialty beers. True to their motto “Circular economy you can touch”, they have taken all steps in the beer-brewing process back into their own hands. The circular idea is integral to all their practices. In general, the people at Stiegl think in terms of generations, tinkering and researching. Here, beer brewing actually begins in the soil.

While the soul breathes easy again, the body feasts on in-house delicacies. Then as now, everything at a delicatessen revolves around good things to eat. Which also goes for the Kråmerladen at Stiegl-Gut Wildshut, where their bread is baked, naturally, in their own wood-burning oven. They bring to the plate what the estate yields up, for example homemade cheese, lardo of Mangalitza pig and dry-aged Pinzgau beef. The perfect accompaniment provided by Wildshut beers, organic-quality and slow-brewed. That said, self-indulgent guests can linger for as long as they wish amid the authenticity of the “Kråmerladen” or outside in the guest garden, savoring the purity in every mouthful. Perfect nutrition, in other words, for an otherwise maltreated body.

Brain food that leaves a lasting impression. Then as now, famously the world belongs to those who think louder than others shout. And it is precisely those out-of-the-box thinkers whom Heinrich Dieter and Alessandra Kiener, the owners of the Stieglbrauerei in Salzburg, regularly invite to participate in the “Wildshut Field Discussions” on their beer estate. Amid the relaxed ambience of the all-wood brewery, they philosophize together sharing a variety of perspectives on contemporary themes, also happy to welcome the interjections of interested visitors.

Because Stiegl-Gut Wildshut is the ultimate “home-away-from-home”. Then as now, Stiegl-Gut Wildshut is a place of creative thinking, relaxation and enjoyment. Only for the past few years, after completion of major remodeling and expansion projects, has the estate been opened to the public. Every guest is encouraged to experience and enjoy this place holistically, and to leave behind their own positive footprint. Anyone wishing to enjoy the unique setting of the Wildshut for a little longer and immerse themselves in the world of this beer estate completely, can also stay here overnight, in rooms that consciously forgo Wi-Fi, televisions etc., focusing instead on soothing sources of tranquility. Only high-quality native materials were chosen for the furnishings – pine-wood beds and hops-stuffed pillows each make their own contribution to a relaxed night’s sleep. A separate “Room of Silence” and a library complete the picture.  
Furthermore, the guesthouse also provides a perfect backdrop for seminars and conferences. It features 11 guestrooms as well as two seminar rooms that can be re-functioned as needed into one large room. The “Moarhaus” offers an atmospheric setting for events hosting as many as 150 people.
Guided tours of the beer estate treat visitors to intriguing and interesting information on the topic of circular economy, also inviting participants to sample the Wildshut beers.

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