Gidi, the spirits sommelier from the PillerseeTal
A visit to the Gaßoidhof distillery in Tyrol
Fragrant orchard meadows surround the three buildings of the Treffer family’s quintessentially Tyrolean farmstead, the “Gaßoid”. At the Gaßoidhof gourmet workshop, time-honoured traditions have been flourishing once again in new splendour for some time now.
From a carpenter’s workshop to a Tyrolean fine spirits distillery
Right up until 2010, wood shavings were literally flying around what is now the Gaßoidhof gourmet workshop: here, Gidi would tinker, plane and craft, producing the most beautiful wooden creations through his skilful craftsmanship.
As the orchard meadows around the Gaßoidhof yielded such an abundance of fruit and the distillers’ copper stills in the surrounding area were brimming to the brim, the owner, Gidi, decided on the spur of the moment in 2004 to acquire an old distillation unit. He went on to qualify as a fine spirits sommelier, and before long, Gidi’s high-quality fine spirits were in great demand far and wide.
In 2010, the Treffer family spent day and night in the workshop before transforming it into a wonderfully cosy place steeped in tradition, fine spirits and indulgence: the schnapps distillery ‘Gidi’s Genusswerkstatt Gaßoidhof’.
From now on, the host and his family welcome their guests into the world of Tyrolean fine spirits and a unique culinary experience.
Ancient Tradition
A hundred years ago, our grandparents tended the orchard meadows and cultivated ancient fruit varieties & rarities, such as the ‘Weiße Klar’ or ‘Rote Bichl’ pears, the tangy Boskoop apples, the ‘Juni’ pear, or the ‘Eigelsbacher’ pear – which is found only in the PillerseeTal – were planted by our grandparents.
To harvest the rowanberries, Gidi and his family head up the mountain. For only in this way, says the qualified fine spirits sommelier, does his rowanberry brandy acquire the unmistakable aroma of this fruit, combined with the ripe and rugged notes of the mountains.
“For me, distilling schnapps is a passion, and I put my heart and soul into it,” says Gidi as he leans against his still, “It’s an ancient tradition and it’s simply part of our heritage. I blend the new techniques I’ve learnt in various courses with the good old traditions, which is what gives my spirits their top quality and characteristic flavours.”
There’s also a secret behind the water Gidi uses for his fine spirits: “Right, off to the wedding!” Gidi grins heartily as he prepares his high-proof distillates for drinking strength.
Carrying jugs, Gidi dashes to the mountain stream 300 metres away, from which he draws the crystal-clear and soft ‘Brüdlwasser’ and brings it back to the workshop. There, the fresh spring water is added in small quantities until the alcohol content reaches around 42 per cent by volume. The result is a 100 per cent delightful fruit distillate, created from the alcohol, the aroma of the fermented fruit and the farm’s own wild spring water.
Fifteen different fine brandies and ten seasonal fruit liqueurs can be tasted and ordered at the Gaßoidhof.
Schnapps distilling demonstration with tasting at Gidi’s Genusswerkstatt in Fieberbrunn:
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours, €15 per person
Everything is explained here, from the orchard through to the mashing and distillation process, right through to the tasting itself. Tasting of various Tyrolean fine brandies.
Our tip: Try Gidi’s cigar brandy.
