Our philosophy
There are places that you don't invent - you preserve them. Ebner 1822 is such a place. For over two centuries, this farm has been located in the upper Gurktal valley, nestled in the rolling hills of the Carinthian Nockberge mountains.
What drives us is not a sophisticated marketing strategy, but a deep conviction: that true luxury does not lie in abundance, but in the quality of moments. That sustainability is not a trend, but a responsibility. And that silence has perhaps become the most valuable commodity today.
In this article, we would like to show you the principles that guide our actions - from the architecture of our chalets to our culinary philosophy and the way we understand hospitality.
Rooted in history, focussed on the future
When you stroll across our sunny plateau today, you are walking in footsteps that began in 1822. Back then, this place was a simple mountain farm, run by generations who lived with nature - not against it.
We have never given up this attitude.
When Barbara and I decided to lead the farm into the future, there was one central question:
How do we preserve the essentials and at the same time open up this place to people who are looking for exactly that?
The answer was clear:
We share our paradise, but we don't stage it.
We create space for encounters, but not programmes.
We offer convenience, but not arbitrariness.
Our three private houses are therefore not hotel rooms, but independent retreats - built with respect for the landscape and with materials that breathe.
Sustainability as lived practice
Sustainability is a term that is often overused today. For us, it is not just a marketing phrase, but a matter of course that is visible in many details.
Our chalets were built in Straw bale construction a construction method that combines excellent insulation values with natural materials. The clay walls regulate the indoor climate in a natural way, while wood from regional forestry provides warmth and durability.
Some of the wood even comes from our own forest. Many materials were deliberately sourced locally and processed by craftsmen from the region - people who value this landscape as much as we do.
We have deliberately left space for nature around the houses: Wildflower meadows, a natural pond and plenty of space for biodiversity are just as much a part of our concept as the open, diffusible design of the houses.
For us, sustainability does not mean doing without, but responsibility - towards the landscape in which we live.
Regional cycles and honest cuisine
Part of this philosophy is also reflected in our certified organic village pub echoed.
Here we serve almost exclusively products from organic farming and preferably from the region. We know many of our producers personally - farmers, bakers and food artisans from the surrounding area.
For our chalet guests, this means breakfast with eggs from happy hens, regional specialities and ingredients whose origin we know exactly.
We do not see culinary art as staging, but as an expression of appreciation - towards food, producers and guests.
Authenticity instead of staging
In a world full of filters and perfectly curated images, authenticity has become rare.
We made a conscious decision not to build a perfect stage.
What you experience with us is real:
Clay walls that were plastered by hand.
A natural pond whose water is not chlorinated.
The silence of the Nockberge mountains, which is sometimes so intense that it seems unfamiliar at first.
The seasons show themselves unfiltered here - from the first mist in autumn to the blossom in early summer.
We do not animate.
We do not entertain.
We give space.
Some guests hike through the Nockberge mountains every day, others hardly ever leave their chalet. Both are true.
This attitude also means that we are not right for everyone.
But for people looking for peace and quiet, something has been created here that has become rare.
The power of deceleration
Many of our guests arrive exhausted - mentally overloaded by constant availability and a daily routine full of appointments.
In the first few hours, the silence is often unfamiliar.
But after a short time, something changes.
The body finds its own rhythm again.
The mind becomes calmer.
Thoughts are given space.
We don't see slowing down as a programme item, but as a natural consequence of a place that leaves space.
That's why we recommend it to our guests:
Stay at least five nights.
Real recovery takes time.
Quality as a leitmotif
From the choice of building materials to the design of the interiors - quality is our benchmark.
Not perfection, but care.
The houses were built by craftsmen, some of the furniture was customised and many of the materials were deliberately left in their natural state.
This attitude costs time and money - and it also explains our price. We don't compete on the basis of the lowest price, but on value.
And this value often only becomes apparent in the experience: in sleeping in a room with clay walls, in the view of the mountains from the bathtub or in the feeling of being in a place that is not interchangeable.
A place for conscious people
We asked ourselves: Who are we actually doing this for?
For people who have often already achieved material prosperity and are now looking for a sense of purpose. For guests who prioritise authenticity over staging and quality over the lowest price.
Many of our guests bear responsibility - as entrepreneurs, managers or creative professionals. They appreciate places that offer peace and quiet and at the same time have substance.
If you recognise yourself in this description, you might feel at home with us.
A sense of home as a foundation
This farm is not a project - it is part of our family history.
People have lived here for generations, cultivating the land and shaping the landscape. This awareness changes the perspective: you don't build for a quick return, but for the long term.
We therefore also see Ebner 1822 as a responsibility - towards the region, towards nature and towards the people who visit this place.
Conclusion
Philosophy does not manifest itself in big words, but in decisions.
At Ebner 1822 this means:
We preserve what is valuable.
We share what is important to us.
And we create space for what often gets lost in everyday life - peace, encounters and real time.
Perhaps this is why Ebner 1822 is not a classic holiday destination.
Perhaps it's more of a place to return to.