Discover Germany, Issue 26, May 2015

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Issue 26 | May 2015

PLUS

MARTIN KAYMER F ROM ROOKI E TO R ECOR D B R EAKER

DESIGN HUB SWITZERLAND BIG WINE SPECIAL FOCUS ON GOLF FASHION, CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

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39 UND UNDERGROUND E GROUND P ER PARKING ARKING L LOTS

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Residential pr projects ojects of S+B W Wohnbau ohnbau GmbH, the rresidential esidential property property developer of S+B Gruppe AG.

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Discover Germany | Contents

Contents MAY 2015

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Photo: Park Hotel Vitznau

Photo: Austrian Wine Marketing Board

COVER FEATURE 6

Martin Kaymer Currently one of the world’s best golfers, the charming Martin Kaymer talks to our editor Tina Awtani about life as a professional sportsman, the upcoming Open Championship in St. Andrews and more.

Design Hub Switzerland With the designmesse.ch taking place in Zurich this month, it is time to take a closer look at the Swiss design scene.

You’ll be surprised what’s in store for 2015.

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REGULARS & COLUMNS 10

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FEATURES 80

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A Beautiful Game A keen golfer herself, our editor explains what makes golf such a wonderful sport.

Design

Fashion

Hotels of the Month 30

The German five-star superior hotelVILA VITA Rosenpark near the city of Marburg combines personal service, culinary diversity and elegant comfort with modern wellness and conference facilities.

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The award-winning CERVO Mountain Boutique Resort is the ultimate Swiss Alpine retreat in the elegant area of Zermatt right below the iconic Matterhorn

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Restaurant of the Month Berlin’s HORVÁTH, the unpretentious Michelin-starred restaurant offers rustic, fresh, modern and exciting food. Inspired

by Austrian flavours and produce, chef Sebastian Frank’s menu has quickly gained a culinary reputation in Germany’s capital.

Wine & Dine Find out where to go for irresistible cuisine teamed with great wines and a most welcoming ambience.

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Culture We present Salzburg, Wörgl and the German city of Karlsruhe, all having a lot to offer!

Shades of macaroons are the inspiration for the Thomas Rath Spring/Summer 2015 collection.

Great Spa & Wellness Destinations Ready to take some time out? Great places to stay featuring amazing spa and wellness facilities.

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Cool gadgets worth taking for a spin.

Big Wine Special Discover the beautiful vineyards of Austria, Germany and Switzerland and meet the award-winning vintners behind the fine labels.

© Österreich Werbung. Photo: Niederstrasser

Interesting facts about traditions and customs in Germany gathered by the German National Tourist Board.

SPECIAL THEMES 19

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100 Unusual, noteworthy, curious or inspiring

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Attraction of the Month Experience the beauty and primeval nature of water up-close at the Swiss Aare Gorge: Meiringen’s natural wonder.

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Business Our legal expert Gregor Kleinknecht takes a closer look at sport arbitration. A selection of top boarding schools, plus exquisite real estate experts.

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Barbara Geier Our columnist Barbara Geier gets carried away with a snap of her fingers.

102 Culture Calendar Save the date! Discover Germany’s Culture Calendar is your perfect guide on what not to miss in May. Issue 26 | May 2015 | 3

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Dear Reader,

Discover Germany

Sales & Key Account Managers

Issue 26, May 2015

Emma Fabritius Nørregaard

Published 01.05.2014 ISSN 2051-7718

Laura Hummer Antonietta Cutarelli Noura Draoui Stefan Cameron

Published by Scan Magazine Ltd.

Advertising info@discovergermany.com

Design & Print Liquid Graphic Ltd. Executive Editor Thomas Winther

Discover Germany is published by: SCAN GROUP Scan Magazine Ltd. 15B Bell Yard Mews Bermondsey Street London SE1 3TY United Kingdom

Creative Director Mads E. Petersen Editor Tina Awtani Art Director

Phone +44 (0)870 933 0423 info@discovergermany.com

Svetlana Slizova Feature Writer

For further information, please visit www.discovergermany.com

Nane Steinhoff Copy-Editor

Welcome to our May 2015 issue. Given the many bank holidays, plus the perfect weather conditions, it is the ideal time to play a round of golf (or two). So, who else could have been more suitable for this month’s cover than the magnificent Martin Kaymer? The master of the fairways granted us an interview and I must confess, that he got me a little star struck. The first German player ever to win the US Open chats about the ups and downs of life as a professional sportsman, his deeply rooted passion for football and his aspirations regarding the upcoming Open Championship in Scottish St. Andrews. If that isn’t enough to get you on the fairway, keep reading as we explain the beauty of the game and how to get started in case you’ve never hit a golf ball before.

Our big 2015 Wine Special brings together the best of German, Austrian and Swiss winemaking. From young upcoming vintners to old established vineyards, it couldn’t be any more diverse. Read about Riesling, Pinot and their peers and get to know the people who turn grapes into the most enjoyable wines.

To our regular readers it may be no secret that I and my team share a big passion for beautiful design and this month we decided to focus on design made in Switzerland. Inspired by the designmesse.ch, we have taken a closer look at the design hub Switzerland and its unparalleled creative potential.

Emmie Collinge Contributors Elisabeth Doehne Barbara Geier Meryem Hauer Jessica Holzhausen Julika Hüther Sonja Irani

Then we are turning to Austria, featuring Europe’s oldest restaurant, Salzburg’s hottest nightclub,Vienna’s finest real estate experts and much more. Also in this issue you find top boarding schools and award-winning wellness destinations.There is certainly something that sparks your inspiration in this very diverse issue. However, I truly recommend a round of golf!

Enjoy the magazine!

Gregor Kleinknecht Dorina Reichhold Marilena Stracke

Tina Awtani

© All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Scan Magazine Ltd. This magazine contains advertorials/promotional articles

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SEB voted best Private Bank in German-speaking Europe Over 100 private banks were tested by Fuchsbriefe publishing house with IQF and risk analysis specialists Quanvest. Their conclusion in 2014 noted, “SEB Private Banking Luxembourg stands out in almost every category: in addition to brilliant advice, the competition cannot keep up in terms of either investment proposals or transparency.”

Our international network of private banking offices will look after all aspects of your family finances, from daily transactions to long term investments. Its services cover everything from tailored financial management, through to helping you to optimise the legal and tax structures within which your assets are held.

As one of the world’s strongest banks* and with more than 150 years of experience in private banking, we have just what it takes to ensure your future prosperity.

To find out what SEB can do for your personal wealth, contact us in London or Luxembourg: Christian A. Hvamstad +44 (0) 20 7246 4307 privatebanking@seb.co.uk

Ulrich Graner +352 (0) 2623 2310 kontakt@sebgroup.lu

Gregor Neumann +352 (0) 2623 2881 kontakt@sebgroup.lu

*SEB is ranked 9th in the world according to Bloomberg report June 2014

Sweden • Norway • Denmark • Finland • Luxembourg • Switzerland • United Kingdom • Singapore • Estonia • Latvia • Lithuania

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Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Martin Kaymer

Martin Kaymer From rookie to record breaker Martin Kaymer is currently Germany’s most successful golfer. Previously number one on the official PGA Official World Golf Ranking board, the 30-year-old athlete is celebrating his 10th anniversary this year as an elite professional player.

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTOS: HUGO BOSS AG

Standing 1.84 metres tall, sun-tanned and featuring 76 kilos of a perfectly toned physique, Kaymer comes across casual and remarkably polite. With a very boy-nextdoor attitude, it’s just the occasional cheeky smile that gives a hint to the superstar looming beneath the surface.

Kaymer grew up in the North Rhine-Westphalian town of Mettmann, just east of Düsseldorf. Excelling at football and golf as a youngster, he had to make a tough decision at an early stage in his life about which career path to follow. After permanently swapping the football shoes for the golf bag, he has been unstoppable ever since being taken under the wing of coach Günter Kessler. Just two years after turning pro, he was named ‘Rookie of the Year European Tour’ at the Sir Henry Cotton Award ceremony in 2007. But just as his career was on the way up, the golfer was confronted with the toughest private challenge of his life as his beloved mother lost the battle against cancer in 2008, leaving the young sportsman devastated.Today, he constantly carries with him the symbol of a sunflower, her favourite flower, as homage to the most special per-

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son in his life. His father, Horst, and brother Philip, who have just joined the Martin Kaymer management team, support the fairway star wherever and whenever they can.“My family and friends are the most important people in my life. Family backing and good friendships are extremely important factors in life and I am really happy that I can strongly rely on both,”he explains.

“I know how to deal with failure” Winning his first Major in 2010, the US PGA Championship, was a milestone in his career. In 2011, he was named ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ at the Laureus Sports Award and he made to the top of the world’s best golfers.The only other German player to ever have made it to number one on the PGA leader board was Bernhard Langer.The following year brought Kaymer his second Ryder Cup triumph, but it was in 2014 when he really hit the epitome of fame by becoming the first German player ever to win the US Open Championship at Pinehurst, North Carolina. But that’s without even mentioning his victory at the prestigious PGA Tour Players Championship in the same year shortly afterwards. And while

others believe that failure is not an option, he has a slightly different view.“Of course, I could say that every missed Cut was dispensable, but I am convinced that one learns from experience. That’s why I not only appreciate success, but I know to deal with failure, because it is simply part of the life of a sportsman.” For the 7th time, Kaymer has just been named PGA Player of the Year, but he remains humble. “Every award is a great honour. It shows that you did something right over the season,” he says. For him, a professional sports career brings with it far more than just health benefits.“I haven’t just gained huge experience on a sporting level, but this career has also enhanced my personality in the form of positive development. I grew up and the sport made me a better person, more independent and more adult,” the charming chap explains. And besides those benefits?

Well, he’s already scooped millions in prize money so far.

“Michael Schumacher is one of my greatest sport idols ever” Although he spends most of his time training in Scottsdale, Arizona, Kaymer has a

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Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Martin Kaymer

Issue 26 | May 2015 | 7

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Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Martin Kaymer

pad in Düsseldorf, where he loves to spend time during professional breaks. And, of course, he still has a special place in his heart for football. "Football is my second biggest passion and I am definitely a big fan of German football and the national team.

On a club level, I’ve been a fan of 1. FC Köln since childhood,”he admits. When not busy teeing off at some high profile golf competition across the globe – so far he travelled about 60,000 kilometres – Martin is not the type to take things slow. “It is all about sport. Not always golf, but other disciplines such as fitness, pilates, taekwondo – I try out different things and like to explore new sports. For the first time since I was a boy, I went skiing again this winter and it was a lot of fun.” When asked about his role models, he does not have to think twice.

“Michael Schumacher is one of my greatest sporting idols ever. What he did for his career and the world of German sports is extremely impressive and will last for eternity.

In Golf – and especially from a German point of view – Bernhard Langer is an outstanding golfer, from whom I always appreciate tips and advice. He made a huge impact on the golf scene,“ Martin says.

2015 will bring further excitement, he reveals.“So far it has been a great journey and I am looking forward to what will hopefully be a successful season,” he says. His German fans will get the chance to watch him live at the BMW International Open in Munich (23–28 June). But the highlight of this season – and one which every golfer is eagerly anticipating – is certainly the Open Championship (13–19 July).“Winning the Open in St. Andrews would be incredible.

It is the only European Major, plus it takes place on one of my favourite courses.There is nothing more one could possibly ask for.

Of course, it would be superb to join in for the race for the title, but it all depends on a lot of factors. There are so many great professionals and we all have exactly the same thing in mind,“ Martin says.

We will keep our fingers crossed for “our” wonderboy!

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TIME TO SEND OUT TWO DECADES OF PERFECT RELAXATION WITH A BANG! 20 years of golfing tradition.

What a success story: for 20 years, Golfpark Schloss Wilkendorf has been the ideal destination for anyone looking for panoramic views, peace and relaxation, and unspoiled nature – as well as anyone looking for perfect golfing experiences, with two 18-hole courses, an extensive practice green with a large driving range, chipping and putting greens, a short six-hole course

and an exclusive PGA golf academy. Join us to celebrate Wilkendorf’s big birthday: our anniversary programme is running from 25 to 31 May 2015. Experience one of Germany’s top golfing resorts – just 45 minutes from Berlin Alexanderplatz, or online at: www.resort-schloss-wilkendorf.com

Perfect golfing. At home in Wilkendorf. Since 1995.

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Discover Germany | Design | Dedicated to Design

Dedicated to Design...

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The time of year is finally upon us when life is no longer confined to the indoors. All of a sudden balconies become a blank canvas for keen city gardeners. Cafes and pubs with outdoor seating areas in the countryside turn into appealing weekend destinations. Time to swap the spinning class for a real bike ride and jog along a hiking path instead of touring the treadmill. We’ve handpicked a few outstanding design items ready to be taken for a spin.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Get the little ones moving and spoil them rotten with the original Porsche pedal car. Driving forward and backwards, the fun vehicle is suitable for drivers up to a height of 160cm. £500. www.porsche.com Berlin-based former students Elias Atahi and Pascal Blum are the founders of Unu. Eco-friendly and silent, the cool scooters are made to explore urban life to the fullest. However, semi-rural surroundings also make a great destination for an Unu. From £1,200. www.unumotors.com

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Safety first, but not without style! German Melon Helmets® – Brand of Intelligent Mobility GmbH is responsible for the Red Dot Award 2014 winning design for their range of funky bike and scooter helmets. £49.99. www.melon-helmets.com

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A classic Red Dot Award hero is the Bulin30 limited edition alpine rucksack. Designed in-house

by Hans-Thomas Langowski and Philipp Ziegler, it is light, functional and long-lasting. £145. www.vaude.com German Niesmann+Bischoff GmbH came up with this motorhome, which scooped an honourable mention at the Red Dot Awards 2014. “With design elements adopted from automotive design, such as the radiator grille and matt-silver paintwork, the Arto 2014 appeals to a younger, design-conscious target group,” the jury says. P.o.a. www.niesmann-bischoff.com

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Distinguished designs in a simple form rmi-design creates pristine lighting solutions using a combination of wire and wood.

TEXT: DORINA REICHHOLD | PHOTOS: RMI-DESIGN

The success story began with black spice shakers, which represented the first items Robert Manners created after setting up his design label rmi-design in 2013. His girlfriend's interior design studies inspired him to give his own creativity a go. He explains: “Over the last few years I developed a strong interest in design, architecture and photography.” The brand’s items captivate customers aesthetically with their high quality materials and outstanding craftsmanship. rmi-design works in cooperation with local workshops and artisans whenever possible, and one of their partners is a small, familyowned wood turnery.

The concept behind the Wire-Lights was to create a modern interpretation of the classic fabric-covered lampshade. Now available in four different shapes, they represent a new minimalist design with a distinctive yet simple form. The Wire-Lights have also inspired the company’s Muse Side Table. A hexagon-shaped table made from wire, it has been finished with a wooden tabletop, combining simplicity with the soundness of a natural material. In the pendant light PURE Wood, Manners realised his unique idea to use different woods as the materials for bulb sockets, creating an eye-catching item. ”Inspiration is everywhere if you keep your eyes open,” explains Manners. ”Most of the time ideas spring up spontaneously.” rmi-design products are available online and through partner stores in various German cities where customers can touch and experience the products prior to making their perfect purchase. www.wire-lights.de

Left: Wire Lights Below: PURE Wood (left) Muse Side Table (middle) Portrait: Robert Manners

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Discover Germany | Design | Fashion Finds

Fashion Finds April showers bring May flowers, and in the world of fashion May brings beautiful new catwalk collections into the stores. German designer Thomas Rath came up with a wonderful range of delicate looks in his spring/summer 2015 collection. Famous for his semicouture creations, the designer stunned the audience with his “Le Jardin Versailles” collection, celebrating the French savoir vivre with subtle shades of macaroons.

EDITOR’S PICKS | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES

A perfect silhouette - edgy yet feminine - this look is made to last forever. Timeless and classy, this outfit can be worn from office to dinner and season after season. Coat PUPPA £720, dress TRIS £566, shoes BUDA 3 £280. www.thomas-rath.com Photo: Ralf Juergens

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Discover Germany | Design | Fashion Finds

Award-winning German jewellery designer Barbara SchulteHengesbach is renowned for her signature statement pieces.

This architecturally styled ring band is embedded with pearls, moonstones and mandarin garnets. Available in various materials. Ring Arkade. P.o.a. www.schulte-hengesbach.com

Nude shade pumps shouldn’t be missing from any wardrobe.

They’re a staple item that literally goes with anything and everything, so investing in a high quality pair is highly recommendable. The Duchess of Cambridge is a fan, just like Angelina Jolie and many other style icons. £108. www.kennel-schmenger.com

Pale pink is more than just another gorgeous pastel shade; it is the epitome of elegance. The Melina bucket bag from Joop’s S/S15 collection makes a great companion for any lady. £290. www.joop.com

Gorgeous runway look in soft nudes. Materials such as organza, cloque and cotton are cut to perfection and blended with striking little details. Sweater GIOCONDA £230, skirt DUE £336, bag T-PETIT £643, shoes BALL 1 £266. www.thomas-rath.com Photo: Ralf Juergens

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Designer fashion to inspire

Convenience at the click of a button Swiss online portal FashionVestis.com has conquered the virtual world of fashion with its vibrant mix of top labels, catwalk news and industry trends from around the world.

fied and returning customers, who enjoy compliments on their new styles thanks to FashionVestis.com.

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES

“We have a few surprises for our customers in 2015, such as a total revamp of our online presence in order to enhance user friendliness. And in summer we will broaden our international designer brand portfolio with new creations by Carven from Paris, Joseph from London and By Malene Birger from Denmark,”Wildi reveals.

Editors from the most prestigious fashion magazines love the premium online designer boutique as much as the style savvy customers who hail from far beyond the Swiss borders. A hand-picked selection of the latest street styles and designer collections from the catwalks of Milan, Paris, New York and London come straight into the captivating online store established by Monika Wildi. From young upcoming fashion heroes such as hip new label Carmen Cita Jones Jewelry to established national and international top designer brands such as See by Chloé, Fashionvestis.com offers unrivalled insight into the latest styles as well as great advice on how to make a catwalk piece work in daily life. Finding the perfect outfit is easy and receiving it giftwrapped by courier makes the whole shopping experience even more enjoyable.

Should an item not meet expectations, a no-fuss returns policy allows total ease of mind. But FashionVestis.com is much more

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than just an online store, as the latest trends and news from the fashion world are beautifully visualised in the form of glossy celebrity and street style images, plus the sleek presentation of weekly featured looks is highly inspiring.

“The idea was sparked when we did not have an online fashion shopping portal in Switzerland. Cool designer brands were hard to get hold of and needed to be ordered from abroad. Together with my business partner Alain Nydegger, I decided to close that gap,“ Wildi recalls. The style expert has always been passionate about fashion, images and copywriting. “Combining the advantages of traditional trade and e-commerce in the form of an aesthetic platform in the style of a high-end magazine was the core concept,” she explains. For Wildi, fashion is a very personal business and nothing inspires her more than the comments and praise from satis-

www.fashionvestis.com

Top, from left: IRO, Paul&Joe, Tara Jarmon Below: Monika Wildi

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Schweizer Designer E-Boutique

Look: IRO Paris – bei FashionVestis.com

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Discover Germany | Design | Elastique

Giving hidden treasures a new lease of life Zurich’s vintage furniture store elastique mesmerises its customers with its extraordinary interior design selection.

TEXT: DORINA REICHHOLD | PHOTOS: ELASTIQUE

Elegant, elaborate, unusual, quirky – so many different words spring to mind when taking a stroll around elastique, one of Zurich’s finest vintage furniture stores.

Renowned for its diverse stock, elastique is considered the city’s best address for finding remarkable pieces of interior furnishings.

Specialising in designer furniture, primarily from the middle of the 20th century, elastique also presents various unique items such as cinema seats or even a large robot made of polyester.The collection is remarkably diverse, never failing to mesmerize those who pop in for interior inspiration.

Elastique was founded by George Küng, who has successfully turned his passion for collecting unique items into his profession. Hail-

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ing from the North of Switzerland, he initially worked as a journalist and multimedia producer before opening his first vintage design store in 1998. One year later, he founded elastique in Zurich. In 2004 the impressive showroom was expanded to encompass more than 300 square metres and since 2014 elastique has shared its showroom with McConnell Hairdressing. Born from a friendship between Küng and Lee McConnell, customers love the unusual combination of hairdressing and furniture in one place.

Clearly passionate about his work, Küng works relentlessly to improve the shop and its offerings, using his own taste is the criteria for the objects he purchases: "I find it difficult to sell what I do not personally

like." He sees himself as a hunter, always on the lookout for as-yet-undiscovered treasures and for the most impressive trophies. Küng is convinced that every single item, which once sold well, will sell well again in the future.

Most of his stock is found in Switzerland, which he cites as a great place to find hidden treasures in pristine condition. Küng's advice for his customers is to trust their own taste and to experiment with unusual trends and styles. In comparison to his early days, his customer base has widened and this is due in part to the overwhelming trend for vintage items, seen in adverts, music videos and photo shoots. Anyone looking for that one piece of distinctive furniture to transform their home into something unique would certainly be in the right place at elastique. www.elastique.ch

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Discover Germany | Design | Go Brilliant

Go Brilliant THE BRILLIANT DRESS, designed and produced by Zurich-based family business Sonnia G. SA (Ltd.), is a striking, luxurious, tailor-made dress for males and females alike. With its unique and round design, the item reconciles the wearer with themself and their body, while boosting strength and self-confidence.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: SONNIA G. SA (LTD.)

Available in a selection of colours, it can also be bought in three distinct varieties.

Whether one seeks a dressing gown surrogate made of terry cloth, a normal dress for everyday life or a silky option for your home, meditation, yoga, tai chi or other relaxation exercises, the dress is tailormade for every customer. THE BRILLIANT DRESS is sealed between the legs and open on the sides, which can be tied with ribbons.

“Through its design and soft fabric, the dress drapes alongside the body and flat-

ters every figure. It lets you discover a new physical feeling; you feel beautiful and you start to respect and love your body. It doesn’t constrain and gives your body freedom. As soon as they put the dress on, our customers are relaxed and no longer feel physically or mentally restricted,” explains designer and owner Sonnia Geiger. According to her, customers appreciate the high quality, the long durability and the wearing comfort.

“The feedback of many customers is: ‘If only I could have got one earlier,”she says smiling.

Sonnia G. SA (Ltd.)’s motto of ‘beauty in the shape and beauty in the creation’ is clearly reflected in THE BRILLIANT DRESS.“On the one hand, this means outstanding design and aesthetics but it also refers to sensible and sustainable production,” she explains. Consequently, the company exclusively produces its products in Switzerland due to the high production standards and good working conditions.

“Furthermore, our dresses last a lifetime, which makes them ecologically sensible.

Our dresses are meant to enhance the wellbeing of the wearer,” Sonnia Geiger adds.

THE BRILLIANT DRESS is made-toorder as Sonnia Geiger places great value on the fact that“a dress is exclusively produced for a customer and thus obtains a specific vibe.” Available for purchase online, Geiger concludes: “Our vision is that everyone has THE BRILLIANT DRESS in their wardrobe, wears it regularly and thus takes time out for themselves.” www.thebrilliantdress.ch

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Banking Law Capital Markets & Stock Exchange Law Collective Investment Schemes Competition Law Corporate & Commercial Law Employment Law Energy Law Information Technology Law Inheritance Law Intellectual Property Law Lending & Structered Finance Life Sciences Litigation & Arbitration Media Law Mergers & Acquisitions Notarial Services Payments, Clearing & Settlement Real Estate Restructuring & Insolvency Tax Law Venture Capital & Private Equity White-Collar Crime & Compliance

Wenger & Vieli Ltd. Dufourstrasse 56, P.O. Box CH-8034 Zürich Office Zug Metallstrasse 9b, CH-6300 Zug T +41 (0)58 958 58 58 www.wengervieli.ch

ROMAN HEIZ DR. IUR.; LL.M.; ATTORNEY; PARTNER r.heiz@wengervieli.ch

“If you are looking for a proven track record of legal excellence in labour law, you should talk to us.”

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Special Theme

Design Hub Switzerland

designmesse.ch 2015 Designer pieces for creative inspiration in the office, home or garden Running for three days from 8 to 10 May, designmesse.ch is the prime opportunity for a springtime visit to Zurich. From newcomers to established names, designers, manufacturers and dealers from Switzerland and beyond will present exclusive furniture designs and exceptional home accessories. All the design products on show can be bought or ordered directly at the trade fair to give your home, terrace or office a little spring spruce-up. Furthermore, any springtime fatigue will be washed away with the great series of events happening alongside the main trade fair.

TEXT: DESIGNMESSE.CH | TRANSLATION: EMMIE COLLINGE | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES/PASCAL MEIER

Over three days, designmesse.ch offers a presentation and sales platform for creative newcomers as well as established designers and manufacturers from the world of furniture and product design. Not only supporting the design scene, visitors are presented with a hugely diverse range of innovative design objects.

Whether you’re looking for something very particular or a made-to-measure piece, the fourth designmesse.ch is the place to be.

With decorative design products, prototypes, small run or batch run products as well as special one-offs, the products will inspire you to create stylish and individual interiors with lifestyle ideas for inside and out.

A glance at the list of exhibitors presents the broad colour palette of design: hall 9 is dedicated to lighting, which bestows a special atmos-phere on your living space, with floor lamps, spherical lamps and even coffee-scented lamps. Functions are enhanced, such as a television stand, which automatically immerses the screen into the furniture once switched off, or the modular and multifunctional shelving unit calledVARIO that grows alongside your book collection, doubles as a wardrobe and simply leans against the wall. Design items created with unusual or recycled materials have extraordinary appeal, such as bowls from windowpane oysters, leftover material from awnings that is given a new lease of life in

humorous lighting, and tables and benches from ancient wine barrels.

Hailing from Greece and now with Swiss distribution, the manufacturer COCOMAT uses wool, caoutchouc natural rubber, seaweed, laven-der and eucalyptus leaves for its high quality mattresses. Objects to enrich balconies and gardens are on show too; think lightweight side tables for inside or out, adorned with fine objects reflecting classic table decorations.

This is a just an appetizer to what lies ahead at designmesse.ch 2015, where a stroll through the trade fair hall will present even more po-tential for your office, home and garden. What’s more, a host of events will accompany the fair such as special shows, discussions and lec-tures on the topic of ‘the design of craftsmanship’, led by the Haus der Farbe. www.designmesse.ch

Main image: COCO-MAT

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Stunning, bespoke and absolute unique: PANNELLO From banker to home accessory designer – Stephan de Gasperi decided to turn his career around after reaching an emotional dead-end in his former profession.

Today, his company nelloFACTORY produces the PANNELLO, a bespoke, sustainable, hand-made wooden home accessory, which is sure to enhance every wall.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: CLAUDIA MAMONE PHOTOGRAPHY

With a vintage aesthetic, beautiful wooden texture and a timeless, creative and interesting design, PANNELLO is an exclusive photo frame made in Switzerland. “PANNELLO is an unique product, which is completely new to the photographic market. My wife and I tried to create something for people looking for something special for their home,” explains Stephan de Gasperi. The photo frame is sustainably produced from recycled wood and individual photographs are printed directly onto a ceramic tile. Customers can simply upload their desired photos online, choose the size

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of the frame and get an individual product made in Switzerland delivered to their doorstep.

Located in Luzern, the nelloFACTORY exclusively uses Swiss wood waste for their

Portrait: Stephan de Gasperi

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ceramic hardens, we grind it and directly print the customer’s individual picture onto the frame, ensuring excellent quality thanks to UV printing,” he explains. Every single step is exclusively done by hand so that the picture frame is 100% hand-made and individual. The combination results in a beautiful Swiss-made shabby chic style. No two frames are the same due to individual colours and wood structures. nelloFACTORY uses UV-LED direct printing, which prints ink directly onto the material. It dries with ultraviolet light so that the object immediately dries and stays dust-free.“We can print directly onto various materials, such as metal, wood, glass or plastic in A2 format and up to a thickness of 150mm with our flatbed printer,” de Gasperi outlines. This creates a lot of potential for things like a relief print with a 3D or gloss effect.

products so that old residential houses, company buildings and barns are reborn as picture frames.“We believe that old wood shouldn’t simply be binned and that’s why we seek to make it into beautiful home accessories,” Stephan de Gasperi says. “We cut the wood to the desired size and agglutinate it. We sand and treat the old wood so that it looks its best before we fill the frames with ceramic material. When the

Besides offering their frames in ten different sizes and forms, nelloFACTORY also boast exceptional customer service. Going the extra mile for realising every customer’s wish, nelloFACTORY helps clients to accessorise entire walls with their PANNELLO frames. One can simply email the measurements of their own wall to Stephan de Gasperi and he will design an individual PANNELLO wall proposal for each client.

“I try to fill the whole wall with several different frame sizes so that the wall becomes a real eye-catcher. Today, many people are already overwhelmed by selecting photos for their walls because of the sheer volumes of photos taken by digital cameras.

That’s why we also offer our help when it comes to photo selection. We try to find the best and most suitable pictures for a customer’s wall or picture frame,”he continues. His wife, Claudia Mamone, is a professional photographer and has masses of professional experience when it comes to choosing the ideal pictures for a display.

profession wasn’t leaving him fulfilled.

Thus, he took some leave from the bank and went travelling with his family for ten weeks.“We got inspired during our travels after seeing similar products. And even while travelling, we decided how we could implement this idea and knew that we wanted to choose this path. I then quit my old job and started to puzzle over the product until I found the right ‘ingredients’ and procedures for the production of PANNELLO,” he recalls.

A new interesting product is in the pipeline, which will soon be available for online purchase. The PANNELLO with children’s book illustrations represents a true unicum.

“The creative illustrations will be painted directly onto the PANNELLO,”Stephan de Gasperi explains. Also available will be print versions, which can be bought directly in the online shop. A further novelty at nelloFACTORY will be their photo frames from South Africa, produced with the help of LUNA Designs. These frames differ in colour as well as form, and are truly individual items. Finished images from different photographers alongside frames will soon be on offer too. www.nellofactory.ch

Mian image: PANNELLO Left: PANNELLO (top & 2nd) LUNA Design frame (3rd & 4th) Below: Children’s book illustration by Sabine Marie Körfgen

The Swiss couple came up with the idea of nelloFACTORY in 2013. Having previously worked as a team leader at a leading bank, Stephan de Gasperi soon realised that the

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VARIOX Create your own world Quality custom furniture is durable enough to last for generations, while remaining elegant and timeless. The Swiss start-up VARIOX GmbH builds furniture and appliances that are functional and centred around unique designs and individual lifestyles.

entrepreneurs were able to focus on what they do best: conceptualizing and designing living spaces. Dominic Steiger, the mas-

TEXT: ELISABETH DOEHNE | PHOTOS: VARIOS Main image: xPad stand for iPad

Looking for that impossible-to-find, elegant yet rustic dining table? That nightstand that just has to match the bed? The bookshelf that hugs your walls so perfectly? Something original, modern, beautiful – made of quality materials? Look no further. Variox, the young Swiss company, specializes in making – and matching – people’s furniture to their individual lifestyle and taste. Their goal is to help people transform a space in which they live, to one that they love.

Spaces that you love “We specialize in designing daily basics, objects and appliances that match our cus-

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tomer’s unique lives: modern, timeless furniture and aesthetic pieces of art. Everything we do is custom-built. All products incorporate high quality materials and are very durable,” explain the Swiss start-up.

Their business idea goes back to 2011, when the young trio, Reto Steiger, Dominic Steiger and Marco Wagner founded their company in Luzern. Since the 100% Swissmade furniture company began,Variox has helped numerous customers to design and accentuate their living spaces.“CreateYour Own World,” their philosophy, extends to both customers and the team itself. By launching their own business, the Swiss

Below: The Swiss Trio - Reto Steiger, Dominic Steiger, Marco Wagner (left to right) Opposite page, top: Red oak xPad with Swarovski crystals (left) Customized shelving system (middle) Custom table from the xGlow collection (right) Opposite page, bottom: xCatch Collection (left) Wild on the wall (right)

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ter carpenter, works closely with customers and knows exactly how to put abstract ideas into real-world objects.

Custom-made in Switzerland When it comes to interior design, one size does not always fit all. That is why for Variox, individualized designs are both a challenge and a passion. In the past, the company has worked with a number of clients and in different environments. In fact, their designs are perfect for private homes and apartments, as well as for companies and office spaces.

Variox online store Their web-based store features the Variox collection, art pieces, and many examples of their past work. From customized storage to customized tables, as well as seating and other objects, all their designs are both contemporary and timeless. And in addition to the broad range of styles that customers can already chose from, a new collection is on its way.

Quality without compromise The material, and in particular the wood, is characterized by its high quality and sustainability. Reto Steiger explains:“We make every effort to meet our quality expectations. Our solid wood panels are produced exclusively in Switzerland. The timber is picked, sorted and collected by experienced professionals. It is evaluated according to specific guidelines.The wood parts then go through several checks before we start processing them.”

COSYROOMS – urbanized wilderness In addition to their own products, Variox also offers unique game trophies by the artist Maren Würl.These objects of art, embellished with Swarovski elements, showcase both exquisite craftsmanship and inspiration. Their exceptional look is finished off with steel, wood or stone. These pieces of art have a distinctly modern look, and they combine the urban with the rustic lifestyle.

Creating beautiful art and atmospheres

Mood-cube One example of the start-up’s dedication to functionality is the product “mood-cubes.”

These versatile, elegant and stylish “cubes” can be used in a number of ways. And they come in a number of colours too – from traditional dark or light wood to more eccentric versions. Variox builds the wooden case of the cube, and the product can easily be ordered through the company’s online shop.

The benefits of working with VARIOX are obvious. The young team is inspired and passionate about creating beautiful pieces of high end, yet basic custom furniture. All products are “made in Switzerland,” and are characterized by their longevity and durability, classic designs, high-quality materials and superb Swiss craftsmanship. www.variox.ch

Made to measure All ideas and designs can easily be optimized to blend into different homes and settings. For instance, the x-series, which features objects from modern coffee tables to book shelves, can be custom-measured and installed. Their philosophy of“made to measure” means that they are more than willing to custom-size all furniture, kitchens, shelves, and even stands for trade fairs. Who wouldn’t want their furniture to match their personal taste?

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The Mood Cube - simply impressive Much more than a regular computer, the Mood Cube will enhance every home. The beautiful and unique design ensures that the common urge to hide the usually dull computer will soon be a thing of the past. Not only does it double as an extraordinary design object, the Mood Cube also boasts impressive technology.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: STEFAN TSCHANZ

Computers accompany us at work and in our recreational time. We often put them under the table or in a corner, simply because we seek to hide them. Let’s face it: they aren’t pretty, and nor do they suit the rest of the furnishings. Mood Food, a company from Switzerland’s Taeuffelen, has found an answer to this problem with the creation of the Mood Cube. “We believe that a powerful device deserves a fitting appearance, a look that harmonically blends in with its surroundings and which

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even enhances these aesthetically. This is the idea behind the Mood Cube. It is a computer that impresses users with its elegant design, as well as its performance. We want to change the world a little bit aesthetically,” explains Fabian Bigler, one of the two founders and owners of Mood Food GmbH. The Mood Cube allows computers to optically fit their surroundings so that stylistic inconsistencies, which damage the coherent overall picture, are a thing of the past.

A design object full of power The quadratic casings are made of your choice of wood or stainless steel and are built by Mood Food’s Swiss partners.

Whether acacia, smoke-dried oak, antique oak or walnut pattern, the Mood Cube can also be individualised without a problem.

Customised to their customers’ needs entirely by hand, the business also constantly experiments with further materials. How does a Mood Cube made of gilded steel, porcelain, leather or cement sound? “We are flexible and always open for new experiments. With the different wood types or the steel housing, we are able to offer a computer for almost every room which optically suits the furnishings and therefore doesn’t spoil the overall picture,” Fabian Bigler says. The computers have above-av-

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erage computing power – thanks to high quality technical components from prestigious manufacturers such as Asus or Intel.

“From the hard-drive to the ventilation and DVD drive, we carefully assemble various components and build them into the case, which then gets specifically manufactured in Switzerland for our customers,” Fabian Bigler adds.

Established in 2006, the small company consists of the two friends Stefan Tschanz and Fabian Bigler, who founded the business together as partners. Having met by chance as flatmates in a temporary flat share in Bern around ten years ago, the good friendship has transformed into a fruitful business partnership. None of them had any classical training as designer or technician.“What we have is the interest in aesthetics, our creativity and our experience. Paramount is probably also our friendship. New ideas (useful, as well as completely unrealistic ones) often develop when good friends have a glass of wine together or let their ideas flow free until late at night,”Fabian Bigler says. Stefan Tschanz developed the design and found partners for the manufacturing of the shell. He is the creative and technical head of the Mood Cube. As a creative all-rounder, he worked as a bus driver, photographer, consultant and much more and therefore brings a lot of life experience into the business. And because opposites attract, Fabian Bigler is the perfect match for Stefan Tschanz:“I primarily arrange the entire administration in the background because I’m a professional accountant. Stefan had an idea and every idea needs somebody who deals with the numbers. Therefore, the foundation of Mood Food GmbH was a logical consequence.”

Focussing on creativity, flexibility and experimenting, the small company doesn’t have a management team telling them what to do to be as efficient as possible or to generate as much revenue as possible.“We also don’t have any shareholders in the background speculating on dividends and stock quotations. After all, freedom is the best friend of creativity. We simply do what we enjoy,”Fabian Bigler explains. He adds:“As independent entrepreneurs we have the freedom to spend our time experimenting

and trying new things, such as inventing computers made of leather or concrete.The aesthetic is especially important to us.That’s why it’s not enough for a computer to solely perform well. We want it to also be beautiful and that it becomes part of the interior furnishings.”Either the technical performance or the exceptional design stands at the fore in many products, but both are important for the unique Mood Cube. www.mood-cube.ch

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The home of interior design Colombo La Familia on Lake Zurich Interior design is taken to new heights by Ivano Colombo, Karin Bollinger and Peter Kern, whose design concept store leaves no room for desire and has become a household name far beyond the Zurich borders.

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTOS: COLOMBO LA FAMILIA

Having just celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2014, Colombo La Familia moved from Zurich’s Hürlimann Areal into the iconic Redbox house in Zollikon on Lake Zurich. A team of 14 family members now await visitors on over 1,000 square metres of exhibition space, a veritable treasure chest for the design savvy. If one is passionate about designer furniture, a stroll through the store will most likely be one of the most inspiring walks in Switzerland, showcasing jaw-dropping objects of desire. From fabulous furniture items to perfect lighting solutions, and from luxuriously soft furnishings to iconic objects d’art, over 1,000 national and international top brands and artists are represented.

At Colombo La Familia, style is priority and living comfort is a must. From Bauhaus classics via contemporary Swiss chalet style to the latest Italian award-winning top de-

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sign, the portfolio caters for all needs. For those who just discovered their passion for designer items to those with a very specific industry know-how and preference scheme, the Colombo La Familia family members always find the perfect match.

Over the past decade, countless holiday and private homes have been equipped by the Swiss experts, alongside commercial premises such as offices and shops as well as restaurants and hotels. No challenge is too demanding for the Colombo La Familia interior design masters and an impressive list of references leaves no doubt that clients never leave the store without being 100 per cent satisfied.

What makes Colombo La Familia so great?

Founder Ivano Colombo puts it in a nutshell: “We are different.” www.colombo-lafamiglia.ch

Main image: Furniture by Baxter, Andrew Martin, Miinu and Tom Dixon From top: Max Capitonne bed by Twils Ink side table and Bruce sofa by Zanotta Furniture by Flexform, Piure und Jov Outdoor collection by Manutti

Above: Redbox building in Zollikon Portrait: Ivano Colombo

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Portrait: Martin Stutz

MS Know How GmbH Interior design as fresh as paint Martin Stutz’s highly variable, patented building elements for interior design play with natural light and induce colour into our uniform living and working spaces. The number of possible applications is infinite, and many shops, restaurants, hotels and homes have already been transformed into inspiring and constantly changing spaces.

TEXT: JULIKA HÜTHER | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES

Having learnt to use a wide variety of materials to perfection during his training as a boatbuilder, Stutz founded MS Know How GmbH twelve years ago in Zurich, and has been running the company and developing products ever since. Fascinated by glass bricks – and particularly by their effect on people – Stutz decided to design building elements with similar qualities: being translucent, adding colour, and changing with the incidence of natural and electric light.

During his training, he discovered the variability of epoxy resin, which is lighter and

much more flexible than glass while still being highly resistant. Colouring the resin by hand, Stutz uses it as a filling material for bearing and non-bearing elements such as steel grids, and wooden and plastic grates, which are available in many different shapes.

The result is a range of interior design elements that are individually designed to the customer's specifications in terms of colour and form, and that can be used for a limitless number of purposes, from partitioning walls, floor elements, ceiling panels and

doors to staircase steps, company logos, decorative covers for posts and rotating elements. It is not surprising that Stutz has recently started producing furniture and lighting elements, and has designed everything from hotel bar panellings to toilet installations at a restaurant.

The diversity of the product is also reflected in one of Stutz’s newest product ranges called Comix – pictures à la carte.“Whether you are old or young, comics and their stories accompany us for a lifetime and their characters become role models and companions,” says Stutz. He lets them take pride of place at home or at the office, where they spread both colour and joy.

Stutz stages three-dimensional comic figurines in coloured epoxy resin, which he then encases in a steel frame, creating more than just a picture. As the little heroes appear to break through the resin, the composition becomes as dynamic as the characters seen on screen or in comic books. www.msknowhow.ch

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Designer furniture full of fun Swiss designer and DESIGNTEIL founder Bob Klenk has developed the perfect furniture solution for children’s rooms. Highly functional, extremely durable, sustainable and beautiful to look at, the award-winning LALILU loft beds bring a sparkle to the eyes of kids and parents alike.

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTOS: DESIGNTEIL

Named after the classic nursery rhyme, the LALILU beds do not necessarily make one sleepy. Designed to be played on, around and under, the sleek loft beds are made of sustainable Finnish certified and non-toxic wood, which is crafted to perfection in Switzerland. Available in vibrant colours like bright orange, Indian red, princess pink, navigator blue, frog green, or in more subtle options such as charcoal, dark brown or white, LALILU easily blends into every interior style. And it gets even better as the assembly time is just ten minutes.

“It started with a sketch for my own little rascals in 2011,” the father of three recalls and he adds: “We simply couldn’t find a bed that matched our aesthetic standards.”

The prototype quickly gained popularity amongst friends, who spread the word and soon LALILU turned into a sought-after

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design item. All efforts paid off and the LALILU loft bed by DESIGNTEIL scooped the prestigious Red Dot Award 2014. Almost 5,000 design objects entered the competition, of which only a fraction received the coveted seal of approval. The jury stated:“LALILU fascinates with its simple and clear design that immediately encourages one to play. Further convincing features are the high-quality materials as well as the sustainable production method.”

Recently presented at Blickfang Basel design fair and shortly to be exhibited at Zurich’s designmesse.ch in May, the LALILU loft beds are now available to a wider audience.“DESIGNTEIL will shortly be available via the Best of Swiss online portal and we are expanding our partnercarpentry network in Germany in order to keep up with international demand for our

high quality beds,”Bob Klenk explains. Big news for 2015 include the expansion of the product range and LALILU fans will soon be able to add a matching desk to the beds.

With lots of fun guaranteed for little explorers, it may even look great in the living room. www.designteil.ch

Portrait: Bob Klenk. Photo: Tina Sturzenegger

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The coffee revolution Zurich’s café bar BENZIN & KOFFEIN is more than a regular coffee shop. Combining their passion for motorbikes with a devotion to speciality coffee, the small venue enraptures guests with a timeless and international atmosphere, its wide range of exciting special events, competent and honest customer advice, a concept store and its own coffee roastery.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: DENISE MORF / SIMONE ERNST

Opened in 2014 by a small team of four people,‘BENZIN & KOFFEIN’ is the realisation of their long-term passion. The café bar’s ambience has been influenced by the ‘Benzin’[fuel], whereas the ‘Koffein’[caffeine] stands for the diverse coffee range on offer. A shop in the back sells coffee, coffee preparation equipment, motorcycle accessories and lifestyle products. Guests can also look forward to special events, such as concerts, ride outs and cuppings. Despite the exciting café bar concept, coffee remains the true focus at BENZIN & KOFFEIN as the venue offers a wide range of interesting speciality coffee creations. “We know our products inside-out. The coffee

We like to share our enthusiasm and coffee knowledge by chatting to other coffee enthusiasts,” she adds. When Simone Ernst and Denise Morf first envisioned BENZIN & KOFFEIN, they hoped to present the coffee from the roast house as directly as possible to their guests. In the café, they highlight the diversity of the coffee varieties, of preparation ways and terroir, as well as sharing and passing on their excitement about speciality coffees.

comes from our own roast house (‘Gipfelstürmer Kaffee’) and the majority of our food offers are homemade. Additionally, the shop’s products are used in the daily operations of the café bar and in our daily routines,”Simone Ernst, founder and operator, explains.

Besides offering coffee, prepared in a variety of ways, they also present a small and exquisite selection of predominantly regional beers and wines, spirits, homemade baked goods, hot and cold bagel sandwiches, as well as cold meat and cheese platters.

“Thanks to our roast house, we are personally responsible for the selection of the green coffee. We roast it to perfection and are able to present it to our guests in all its diversity in the café bar. We offer various single origin coffees as espresso or as filter preparations with the help of AeroPress, Kalita,V60, Woodneck, Chemex or Syphon.

www.benzinundkoffein.ch

Main image: Café bar in front and shop in the back Above from left: Speciality coffee also means preparation variety The shop with a wide range of lifestyle products and coffee preparation equipment.

The café bar’s menu provides a lot of background information about their products

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VILA VITA Rosenpark

A treat for all senses Hotel of the Month Germany

Just north of Frankfurt/Main in the beautiful town of Marburg and surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage highlights, the prestigious VILA VITA Rosenpark hotel offers everything the discerning traveller could possibly ask for.

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTOS: VILA VITA ROSENPARK

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“Right in the heart of Germany, our 5-star superior hotel combines personal service, culinary diversity and elegant comfort with modern wellness and conference facilities,� says Simon Hunger, managing director. He

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Discover Germany | Hotel of the Month | Germany

continues, “It is the best hotel in the region. The architecture alone, defined by a group of several buildings, allows us to fulfil even the most individual demands that groups or individual travellers could possibly ask for.”

Luxurious ambience and impeccable guest services 178 beautifully decorated rooms and suites are designed in subtle colour schemes and elegant cherry wood furniture. A calm ambience is tastefully blended with the latest technological amenities such as Wi-Fi and flat screen TVs. Featuring a rooftop terrace with spectacular views and marble bathrooms, the Presidential Suite is as good as it gets. TheVILAVITA Rosenpark attracts a variety of guests, all of whom appreciate the luxurious ambience and impeccable guest services.“Our guests range from the MICE [Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions] segment to local businesses as well as private guests. The large corporations situated around Marburg are particularly appreciative of our services and facilities. Others simply wish to take some time out and get away from daily stress, so they book a stay in our luxury hotel away from the hustle and bustle of a metropolis,” Simon Hunger explains.

Best for body and soul As the VILA VITA Rosenpark is literally a treat for all senses, it’s no surprise that an unrivalled spa and wellness centre is part of the package too. With an area of 1,000 square metres with old Roman-style saunas and pool, this oasis of calm is adjacent to the beauty garden, where an array of pampering treatments and massages are available, perfect for recharging the batteries and leaving any stress behind.Those after a more active holiday can make use of the gym or step outside and swing a club at one of theVILAVITA partner golf courses, hike the hills or kayak down on the river Lahn.

Top-notch conference facilities

Made for connoisseurs Culinary needs are catered for in the hotel’s restaurants, the elegant Rosenkavalier and the more casual Zirbelstube. Head chef Boris Frackenpohl makes sure that his everchanging menu always brings out the best in the fresh seasonal ingredients. During summer, the terrace is ideal for al fresco dining and, for those who just can’t get enough of Frackenpohl’s delicious creations, regular cooking classes are held by the master himself. Beverages are in the hands of Steffen Müller, the master of the hotel bar and wine cellar, which houses 1,200 fine bottles under its vaulted sandstone ceilings. Müller’s cocktail courses are a top tip amongst insiders. Managing director Simon Hunger puts it in a nutshell, “Given the gastronomic variety of VILA VITA in and around Marburg, guests are offered plenty of options, which are absolutely unique in Germany.”

Given its great strategic location, the VILA VITA Conference Centre has become a household name for corporate and private events. State-of-the-art equipment and remarkably flexible spaces allow them to host functions for up to 180 seated guests, turning exciting business conventions as well as romantic weddings into pleasurable memories. Private or corporate – VILA VITA Rosenpark is well worth a visit!

Ensuring ultimate guest satisfaction is the top priority atVILAVITA Rosenpark and no effort is spared in order to guarantee that everything is absolutely perfect. “Planning is currently underway regarding the product‘Rosenpark’.

The brand as well as the product are subject to further enhancement to meet current standards and future demands of our discerning guests,”Simon Hunger reveals. www.rosenpark.com

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Hotel of the Month Switzerland

Luxury lodge with great personality Young, relaxed, yet most exclusive, the award-winning CERVO Mountain Boutique Resort is the ultimate Swiss Alpine retreat in the elegant area of Zermatt right below the iconic Matterhorn.

Main image: Cervo sun terrace From top: The new Restaurant Ferdinand Signature Spa Suite Master Bath Owner`s Lodge

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTOS: CERVO MOUNTAIN BOUTIQUE RESORT

Established in 2009, the architecturally outstanding complex made of eight chalets between Zermatt village centre and the adjoining forest, lays just a ten-minute walk away from the village centre. With the ski lift literally at its doorstep, the CERVO Mountain Boutique Resort couldn’t offer a better location for the perfect holiday.

Hotel owner Daniel F. Lauber graduated from the prestigious Swiss Hotel Management School in Lucerne, before gaining further expertise at five-star hotels in his home country and the United States. Together with his wife and chef Seraina, he transformed and extended the family ski chalet to what is today. It is considered one of the finest resorts in the Swiss Alps.“We offer five-star service standard in a most comfortable and personal atmosphere. We

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whole-heartedly prefer personality to distance,” Lauber explains. From the Classic Room to the lavish Owner`s Lodge, there is an ideal option for every traveller. All chalets feature a relaxation zone with a fireplace, a private wellness area with outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room as well as a terrace with breath-taking panoramic views.

Following the motto ‘the way to a man's heart is through his stomach’, the culinary treats are simply irresistible. The 14 Gault Millau points rated CERVO Restaurant with its stunning terrace, just got a complete makeover and offers the perfect backdrop for après-ski, lunch, dinner, private or corporate events. With the 750g côte de boeuf house specialty on the menu, the CERVO restaurant attracts tourists as well as locals

in the summer and winter season. In December 2014 the Restaurant Ferdinand was added, offering casual mountain dining experiences in form of raclette, fondue and table BBQ. Ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible and a welcoming Alpine ambience blends neatly with top notch contemporary design.

The CERVO Mountain Boutique Resort has been named Swiss Hotel of the Year in 2014, scooped the Milestone Swiss Tourism award as well as multiple TripAdvisor Travellers Choice awards. As a member of Design Hotels™ and White Line Hotels®, the hotel is recommended by Zermatt Tourism and proud partner of the Zermatt Unplugged festival. www.cervo.ch

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Discover Germany | Wine&Dine | TIAN

Refreshingly different dining Full of delights for the senses, Vienna’s TIAN restaurant serves the finest vegetarian dishes made with superb ingredients. Given its joyous and highly creative passion for experimentation, TIAN is sure to convince every meat-lover to ‘go veggie’ – at least for a day.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: JUERGEN HAMMERSCHMID / ISABELL ABEL

Established in 2011 as the original TIAN restaurant, the charm of Vienna’s Belle Époque style pairs with an urban-elegant lifestyle at this location in the heart of the Austrian capital. Since opening, TIAN has become known as a hotspot and trendsetter when it comes to high quality gourmet vegetarian cuisine. As the first vegetarian restaurant, it has been awarded three toques by Gault Millau, and is also one of only four vegetarian Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide.

Head chef Paul Ivic is not only an exceptionally creative perfectionist, but also a proponent of biodynamic agriculture and a critic of bioengineered and industrially pro-

duced food. Consequently,TIAN exclusively uses a broad range of high quality, sustainable, regional and seasonal ingredients alongside rare vegetables, crops and fruit.

“Our motto of ‘experience taste’ stands for what we want to offer our guests: a sensual wow-experience, whereby they won’t miss meat or fish on their plates. My passion is a highly creative and healthy cuisine that tastes good and is true eye-candy for our guests,” Paul Ivic explains. Guests can choose between light lunch menus or TIAN’s experience taste dinner menus from Tuesday to Saturday.

From top: TIAN restaurant in Vienna Indian summer Expedition mars

www.taste-tian.com/en/restaurant/at/vienna

OLSKI &

the SCARF - two pieces, a complete outfit,

on any occasion, in any season!

www. tucholski. at

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Restaurant of the Month Germany

World-class dining in Berlin HORVÁTH, the unpretentious Michelin-starred restaurant in Berlin-Kreuzberg, offers rustic, fresh, modern and exciting food. Inspired by Austrian flavours and produce, chef Sebastian Frank’s menu has quickly gained a culinary reputation in Germany’s capital.

fine dining quality and restaurants around the world. Local, regional and international food critics have praised the restaurant’s unique dishes and cooking styles.

TEXT: ELISABETH DOEHNE | PHOTOS: HORVÁTH

Authenticity always wins – and this is especially true in Berlin’s eclectic dining culture. Kreuzberg’s offbeat cultural pulse and bohemian atmosphere present the perfect backdrop for this charming restaurant that overlooks a narrow canal. The intensity of HORVÁTH’s aromas, the first-class menu and fine wines set an amiable contrast to the lively and urban ‘Kiez’.

Award-winning concept and philosophy Owners Sebastian Frank and his partner Jeannine Kessler take pride in running the HORVÁTH, where they’ve pioneered a cre-

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ative and post-modern concept of breaking down traditional Austrian flavours. Their philosophy is to promote an emancipated and exciting kitchen: “Each individual ingredient has the right to be the‘star’of any composition; whether fish, meat, or vegetables. Even onions or celery can elevate and greatly impact on the taste of a dish.“ HORVÁTH is currently one of Berlin's best restaurants, with the awards to prove it.

Since 2011, the kitchen has been awarded 17 Gault Millau points and received 1 star in the Guide MICHELIN, the hallmarks of

Portrait: Sebastian Frank, head chef and owner

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Discover Germany | Restaurant of the Month | Horváth

Austrian talent in Berlin A native of Austria, Sebastian Frank has worked in some of its finest and most prestigious restaurants. From 2003 to 2006, he worked at the "Steirereck" in Vienna, named one of the top 50 "Best Restaurants in the World." The young talent also cooked as sous-chef at the "Interalpen Hotel Tyrol."

In 2010, Frank settled in Berlin. As head chef of HORVÁTH, he was genuinely surprised by the positive response and critical appraise that his work generated. In 2011, he was awarded the first star – and also named the most promising chef of the year.

In 2014, he and his partner became joint owners of the restaurant.

The history of HORVÁTH, however, extends back to the 1980s, when the restaurant opened its doors under the name EXIL and locals and visitors flocked here. The British music star David Bowie was a regular guest.

Later, Austrian businessman Oswald Wiener, father of the chef Sarah Wiener, took over the restaurant. In 2005, two Austrian chefs founded HORVÁTH, and subsequently employed Sebastian Frank as their head chef. Within a few years, Frank had made his culinary mark and turned the restaurant into a magnet for all those in search of authentic Austrian cuisine.

trian fare. All produce and cooking methods are in line with traditional Austrian flavours and authentic preparation methods. The chef plays to regionalism by offering locally sourced ingredients as well as seasonal menus. Looking ahead, his goal is to establish an even stronger Austrian-inspired kitchen that resonates with guests and critics alike.

Diners have the choice between the traditional or the innovative menu. Instead of luxurious dining, HORVÁTH offers contrasts, aromas, and creativity in a comfortable environment. In this warm and sophisticated space, the young chef serves up hearty classics and dishes with surprising flavour combinations. There is also a vegetarian menu, and guest can choose between a four and ten-course fixed price menu. HORVÁTH is open for dinner (611pm) from Wednesdays to Sundays. www.restaurant-horvath.de Main image: Blueberry Verjus Left: Modern, authentic Austrian food Below: The iniviting dining room & the warm and comfortable bar

Regional and classic identity Unpretentious and authentic dining As dark wood panels line the inside, ambient lighting shines throughout the intimate dining room and bar. The rustic, warm and comfortable interior complements the modern, fresh and creative atmosphere of the kitchen. For diners, this inviting atmosphere offers stunning aesthetics without the highbrow nature of other upscale restaurants.

The imaginative and approachable food has its roots in the character of classic Aus-

HORVÁTH’s kitchen strives to create simple and elegant food made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, re-interpreting Austrian culinary traditions with a modern touch. Sebastian Frank and his small team focus on using a variety of colours and textures on each plate, to satiate the eyes as much as the taste buds.

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Discover Germany | Wine&Dine | Park Hotel Vitznau

A place for taste Park Hotel Vitznau presents award-winning cuisine and world-class wines

Two gourmet restaurants adorned with Michelin stars, six cellars full of world-class wines and a terrace with a magnificent view towards Lake Lucerne – the Park Hotel Vitznau is a culinary hotspot set in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape, just a short boat trip from Lucerne.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN | PHOTOS: PARK HOTEL VITZNAU

The two words ‘wine and dine’ reach new heights at Park HotelVitznau, as diners are treated to an indulgent fine-dining experience. The first of the two restaurants, focus, is reached by a glass-walled walkway that lines the wine cellars, casting a remarkable view onto the selection of first-class wines from all over the world, considered an appetizer of what to expect in the restaurant itself.

Nature, water, the surrounding mountains and the hotel’s own lake view combine to inspire the kitchen philosophy of head chef Nenad Mlinarevic.This is a philosophy that

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not only influences the dishes but has also inspired the avant-garde architecture of the rooms: warm colours and the use of different materials create an inviting atmosphere.

The connection to nature can also be found in his choice of ingredients. Placing value on using regional produce, regardless of whether it is light snacks or multi-course menus, the head chef assiduously follows the seasons, making it possible for guests to enjoy filigree and harmonic new creations throughout the year. With 17 Gault Millau points and two Michelin stars, it is one of the best restaurants that Switzerland has to offer.

What can be seen on the way towards the restaurant focus is only a fraction of the extensive treasure-filled vaults. The six cellars, which are filled with about 32,000 bottles of world-class wine, are worth a total of about 26 million CHF. Yet the figures do little to capture the uniqueness of the wine cellars, as each cellar’s design is a portrayal of the wines stored in it. French wines, for example, are stored in stone shelves, while wines from the New World are stored in a blue overseas container further down the cellar. Wines from other parts of the old world – Italy, Germany, Spain or Switzerland – can be found on the opposite side in wooden shelves.

Hidden behind the invaluable champagnes are the true treasures, as some wines not only have an outstanding taste but also an outstanding age.The oldest wine shelved is from the year 1811 and is enclosed in a

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Wine&Dine | Park Hotel Vitznau

itself glistens in the sunlight.

On summery Sundays the Park Hotel Vitznau offers exclusive barbecue specialities at the pavilion.

Originally founded in 1903, the Park Hotel has only recently reopened after an extensive renovation programme. Today, thanks to its stunning scenery and historical ambiance, it has created an indescribable atmosphere – one best experienced for oneself! www.parkhotel-vitznau.ch

golden casket of the Château d’Yquem.

Every wine needs the right dish and vice versa. The second restaurant, a glass pavilion called PRISMA, makes for a casual and more relaxed fine dining experience with a 180-degree panoramic view over the lake and mountain range. With 16 Gault Millau points, it was recently awarded its first Michelin star. Start with a duet of oyster and salmon with apple, lemon and watercress before tucking into Swiss calf cheeks stewed in Madeira accompanied by winter truffle and mountain potatoes.

Head chef Christian Nickel and the team around chef de cuisine Patrick Mahler invite diners on a tasteful trip through everything contemporary cuisine has to offer. Like Nenad Mlinarevic, PRISMA’s head chef Christian Nickel uses local produce when available, such as a delectable selection of local cheeses.

Particularly in the upcoming summer months, the connection between appreciating the food and landscape becomes more intertwined as the lake terrace opens.

From April onwards, guests can enjoy a luxurious brunch every Sunday from 11:30 am on the lake terrace or in focus. Brunch is served in small portions directly at the table, which avoids the stress and mess of a buffet brunch. On workdays and weekends, the hotel also provides breakfast between 7 and 11 am, which can be enjoyed on the terrace or in the restaurant focus depending on the weather.

Next to the boat bridge stands a historical and somewhat nostalgic pavilion that flanks the stunning terrace. Sweet and salty treats accompany cold drinks while the water ripples and gurgles in the bronze ‘bull and bear’fountain. White sails can be seen on the far side of the lake while the water

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Discover Germany | Wine&Dine | The Riesling Revolutionary

The Riesling revolutionary Ever wondered why German wines are most commonly found lurking somewhere almost out of sight on the UK’s supermarket shelves? Well, German wines have frequently been misrepresented and underrated throughout UK history. Somehow, the islanders picked up the wrong image of German wines and the common notion of overly sweet and cheap wines from Germany didn’t suit the islanders’ palates and their fondness for drinks that err more on the dry, elegant side of things took precedence. Even today Brits still seem hesitant when it comes to approaching German wines. Is this because of the taste, their pure inexperience, ignorance, football or even history?

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: THE WINEBARN

Some say that the image of German wines was irreparably damaged by the bland, largely semi-sweet wines of the 1970s and early 80s. The inexpensive off-dry ‘Liebfraumilch’and the like were supposed to seduce customers but were made from second-rate grape varieties grown in fertile soils, which were actually more suited for growing potatoes. Today, it is no secret that most German wines are high quality and versatile. However, recent marketing seems to have failed to bring that notion across.

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According to statistics, the UK primarily imports wines from France, Italy, the USA, Australia, Spain, Chile and New Zealand.

Imports from Germany only account for a small number. In 2012, Germany had a mere 2.2 per cent off-trade market share of the UK wine market volume, according to Nielsen statistics. Iris Ellmann, founder and managing director of The WineBarn, an award-winning merchant of German wine based in Hampshire, has made it her goal to fundamentally change the UK’s perception of German wines.

A true wine enthusiast and connoisseur, Iris Ellmann has been an inspiration for the UK wine trade for 15 years. Winning the IWC ‘UK Specialist Merchant of the Year – Germany 2012’, she was also nominated for ‘Specialist Retailer of the Year 2012 – Germany’ at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Established in 2000, The WineBarn has made a name for itself for finding and importing the very best of modern German wines and special vintages from exclusive winemakers. Located in a cosy converted barn in Hampshire, The WineBarn wants to “re-educate” the market.“German wines are misrepresented in the UK and we want to expand the positioning of German wines – quality-wise, not quantity-wise. We want to bring German wines back onto the market so that they become firmly established in the UK,” Iris Ellmann explains.

The WineBarn impresses its clients with its thoroughly personal touch and their exclusive handpicked portfolio of wines. Ap-

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Discover Germany | Wine&Dine | The Riesling Revolutionary

pealing to private clients, Michelin-starred restaurants, hotels and retailers alike, Ellmann explains the importance of keeping it “small and exclusive to ensure that we can fully back every single producer.” The WineBarn’s 2015 portfolio is an excellent selection, ranging from entry level to outstanding Grand Cru wines. Whether one seeks a dry Riesling, a full bodied Pinot Noir, a special bottle of sparkling or a delicious sweet wine, Iris Ellmann and her team have something for every taste.

In celebration of their 15-year trade anniversary in 2015, The WineBarn held their annual tasting event on 9 March in London’s magnificent Vintners’ Hall. With a handpicked portfolio of 16 excellent winemakers from almost every German region present, their exclusive wines were introduced over the course of the evening to The WineBarn’s trade and private clients.

Visitors were able to chat to winemakers and taste around 120 different wines in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

the Rheingau. As one of the oldest winegrowing families in the world, they began producing wine in 1773. Today, their top vineyards yield clear Rieslings and Pinot Noirs, which have impressive density and character.“We make the soil tastable,” Ulrich Allendorf explained.“This event is perfect for our special wines to find their way into top gastronomy. Iris is somebody who truly understands German winemaking culture. She lives viniculture,”he added.

Other wineries expressed similar thoughts: “Iris is THE German wine specialist in the UK. No one knows the German wine scene quite like her,” says Nik Weis from the St. Urbans-Hof winery. Producing Riesling in all its facets from dry to noble sweet, the family-run estate’s wines are a lot of fun and constantly impress connoisseurs with their elegance, distinctive playfulness and authentic tastes. “German wines are becoming more and more popular and our magnificent wine culture increasingly appeals to wine enthusiasts,” Nik Weis explains.

be a successful campaign.“She has opened my palate to German wines,” Shaun Traynor, an Irish writer, commented during the tasting. And we are almost certain that he won’t be the last islander to utter similar feelings about German wines in years to come. www.thewinebarn.co.uk

Above: The WineBarn’s annual wine tasting event in 2015 Below: Angela Kaiser, Iris Ellmann, Vanessa Beech (left to right)

Exclusive portfolio One of the winemakers present at the tasting event was the Allendorf family from

Iris’s aim to change the outdated perceptions of German wine is clearly proving to

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Big Wine Special Germany

Wine from German soil - experience, culture and taste Dating back 2,000 years, Germany’s wine history may well be equal in length to other European countries but it is remarkably distinctive. Like Goethe, viticulture is an inherent and very current part of the culture. And as is typical for the German culture of quality time, a glass of wine is often enjoyed directly from the winemaker in their wine taverns, wineries or wine stalls, or at one of the many wine festivals.

International wine critics and authors praise the quality and versatility of German wine. In fact, it would be rare to find a dish that doesn’t team superbly with wine from a German wine cellar.

TEXT & PHOTOS: DEUTSCHES WEININSTITUT GMBH | TRANSLATION: EMMIE COLLINGE

Diversity Germany’s 13 wine-growing areas, known as Anbaugebiete, are home to an enormous diversity of grapes and there are few places on earth that can rival the wine production in Palatine or Rhine-Hesse, where up to 100 varieties are grown. German winemakers have a veritable reservoir of grape

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varieties from which to choose, amongst which you’ll find ‘internationals’ such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The classics, think Riesling or Pinot varieties, naturally play a huge role, and Germany even boasts the world’s largest wine-growing areas for Riesling and Pinot Blanc

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(Weißburgunder). Italy is the only country to produce more Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder) than German winemakers, and when it comes to Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), Germany ranks third in the world.

Climate, terroir and watercourses As a trademark for German winemakers, think delicate and elegant white wines.

Given their location in the far north of the world’s wine-growing regions, the conditions are optimal. Within these German production regions, the grapes are able to mature for a very long time, thus enhancing their flavour. Despite having a comparatively lower alcohol content, the wines do boast a much fuller flavour that is accompanied by the playful interplay of fresh fruit acidity and the typical aroma of the variety.

This long maturation period is also tasted in the red wines.

Germans wine are particularly distinctive due to the terroir, or the soil, in which the grapes grow. Any lover of German wines knows about how the lay of the land, the rock formations and the soil affect the taste, like the slate of the Middle Rhine and the Mosel, to the keuper in Franconia or the volcanic soil of the Kaiserstuhl. Often, the vineyard’s designation is merely for orientation, as certain terroir characteristics can be associated with them. This mainly applies to high quality wines in particular.

The origins of German wine are frequently associated with the names of rivers, as wine production happens in the river valleys, which boast a very balanced climate thanks to the compensatory effect of the water.

The spectacular steep slopes along the Mosel, Rhine and Neckar rivers are considered some of the most special sights within Germany’s cultural landscape.

Wine tourism Germany’s wine regions are amongst some of the most popular holiday destinations.

Home to scenic vineyards, river valleys and an undulating landscape, these picture-perfect villages and terraced vineyards go hand in hand with an advanced, diverse culinary heritage and welcoming people. Holidaying at a vineyard has become a trend, with hospitality and event listings becoming ever

more extensive year on year. Many offer cosy guest apartments or homes. They’ve created stylish vinotheques and these evolutions are linking the traditional nature of wine growing with a new world of experiences, in which young families with children can also feel at home.

Families, friends and wine cellars It is often the case that German wine estates have been run by the same family for generations. But it’s also these places, where inheritance reigns and the grapevines were equally divided amongst the offspring, where the establishment has in fact shrunk to such an extent that running their own wine cellar is no longer profitable. This prompts the tradition of winemaking cooperatives in which experienced cellar masters prepare first-rate wines with their members’ grapes. Other wine growers without their own vinification facilities or commercialisation pass their carefully cultivated grapes and wines into the hands of the cellar masters who then ensure that these German wines are made available on the global market.

Wine at its prime Younger consumers, who are drawn to lively wines, trendy dry seccos or Blanc de Noirs, which tend to be offered in particular by young winemakers, have long discovered the fantastic quality of German wines. Wine is very much on trend, making it an exciting topic of conversation. Good winemakers are known, opinions are swapped and friends are invited to cook and eat together. Some producers even enjoy ‘cult status’ amongst their fans. Countless bloggers and wine aficionados take to the Internet, using social media to debate production and quality. Themes such as sustainability and organic cultivation are stirring up more and more interest amongst producers and consumers. And so that it won’t get boring for lovers of wine, the German wine regions present an inexhaustible supply of places and wines to discover, and each year brings with it new enjoyment. www.deutscheweine.de www.germanwines.de

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Weinreich Wines Organic Riesling with a unique and individual character Situated in Bechtheim in the famous wine-growing region of Rheinhessen, the Weinreich vineyard has had its focus on organic viticulture since the young vintner Marc Weinreich took over the company from his parents in 2009. From Riesling wines to Silvaner, Weinreich wines have a characteristic taste originating from the natural soil and the winemaker’s skills.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES

The name says it all: the family name of Weinreich literally means “rich in wines” and couldn’t be more suitable for a family with a winemaking tradition. Furthermore, the family’s vineyard lies in an area known as Wonnegau, which translates into the district of delight.“In an area like this and carrying a name like ours, it was clear that the right thing to do was to dedicate my life to winemaking – like my parents did,” says vineyard owner Marc Weinreich.

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The Rheinhessen area is famous for its wine-growing traditions that were established during the Middle Ages under the influence of the church.Today, vintners cultivate about 26,500 hectares of vineyards, mainly growing Riesling grapes, but also Pinot and a small quantity of other grape varieties. The region’s climate is influenced by two main factors: the Rhine river and their south facing slopes that are ideal for growing vines.

When Marc Weinreich took over the family vineyard six years ago, he set about restructuring it completely. Even though a younger generation is now in charge, traditional techniques that date back generations are still carefully preserved: Weinreich wines are organic wines, the grapes are picked by hand to guarantee only the best grapes are used for winemaking. A natural approach is essential for Marc Weinreich: “Our wines take in and display what the vineyard locations around Bechtheim have to offer,”explains the winemaker.“The native soil conditions allow us to create wines with a unique character.”These are wines that not only reflect the winemaker’s skills but also let wine lovers taste their origin.

The assortment is exquisite: A small range concentrates on the essentials such as Ries-

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many weeks. Describing the result of this dedicated pursuit is almost akin to a wedding dance on the tongue, smelling of honeydew melon but with a crisper taste.

The Rheinhessen Riesling wines are the most famous ones. One of the Ortsweine is the 2013 Bechtheimer Riesling, a dry wine grown on the best locations around Bechtheim, which gives them ripeness and a mineral taste. Harvested by hand and followed by a lengthy maceration time, the aromas find their way into the juice later fermented with natural yeast. The Riesling has a beautiful, deep-yellow colour and a profoundly spicy but fruity note.

Two of the best Lagenweine also include their Riesling wines: the Geyersberg 2013 and the Hasensprung 2013. Loess clay and lime marl soil make the Geyersberg one of the best locations in all of Rheinhessen.

The grapes for the Geyersberg Riesling were harvested by hand when extremely ripe, selected in various steps and only lightly squeezed before maceration. The wine then ripened in wooden barrels for many weeks before being bottled at the end of June. The taste is reminiscent of the limestone soil combined with filigree acidity – a rather multi-layered Riesling. The process used for the Hasensprung Riesling

was similar, but here growth was not only influenced by clay soil but also by the south-facing terraces and a lot of sunlight.

Starting with the aromas of peach and honey, with along a mineral taste further back in the throat, the wine is like heading straight towards the sun.

Marc Weinreich is a prime example of the younger winemakers currently working in the Rheinhessen region. Their work creates a new dynamic and makes tasting the region’s wines even more interesting. Many have taken over businesses that have been family-run for generations but they’ve now decided to give their wines an individual and modern handwriting style. Marc Weinreich’s new approach has already earned him applause from wine connoisseurs. In 2014 Gault Millau honoured the vineyard with the second grape, citing that: “Marc Weinreich deserves the highest respect for what he has achieved in the last few years.” www.weinreich-wein.de/EN

Portrait: Marc Weinreich Below: Bechtheimer Riesling (left) Geyersberg (middle) Hasensprung (right)

ling, Silvaner and Pinot wines. While socalled “Gutsweine” are their basic wines, focusing on the grape variety’s character alone, the “Ortsweine” convince wine aficionados with their mineral taste and authenticity. The top wines produced by Marc Weinreich are the“Lagenweine”with their unique taste of minerals, influenced by the soil they have grown on, the terroir of Bechtheim’s best sites.

The grapes used for Gutsweine, such as the cuvee of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, are ripened on locations around Bechtheim, where the soil consists of loess clay and lime marl. Treating the grapes gently is essential to ensure high quality alongside their fermentation with natural yeast for

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New, innovative and successful Christine Pröstler is one of the latest additions to the German wine-producing society. Based in the beautiful Franconian countryside near Würzburg, the award-winning vintner has already become a household name amongst industry experts and is definitely a label to bear in mind.

TEXT: MERYEM HAUER | PHOTOS: WEINGUT CHRISTINE PRÖSTLER

Born into a wine-growing family, Christine Pröstler studiedViticulture and Oenology in Geisenheim, before gathering further expertise in South Africa and New Zealand.

She then worked for some of the country’s most prestigious wineries, such as the Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg, before deciding to embark on her own venture. Franconia, one of Germany’s most iconic winegrowing areas, is both her home and her inspiration.Together with partner Alexander Weber, she established the innovative winery in the village of Retzbach. Her parents already owned the vineyards here, but had always opted to sell the grapes to the local cooperative instead of bothering with production. Christine Pröstler took her chance and the premises now feature a proper winery, including a vinotheque, all of which live up to the latest industry standards.

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The vineyard covers an area of six hectares of shell limestone grounds, offering optimal conditions for the production of three different types of wine: the clear and fruitynoted estate wines; the dry and mineralrich Retzbacher wines; and thirdly, the Benediktusberg wines, which are defined by their strength and complexity.

and unsullied harmony with the natural surroundings. My team and I are dedicated to bringing out the best in the grapes and each year we face new challenges.You have to be flexible and every tank of wine needs to be treated independently with great care and attention,”Christine Pröstler explains.

“What I stand for and believe in are clear wines and fruity notes; wines that are bottled without any distractions from their contents,”the young vintner concludes. www.cproestlerweine.de

2012 brought the first harvest and the result was considered quite an achievement. For Christine Pröstler and her team, outstanding quality is their top priority, resulting in excellent Gault Millau and Eichelmann wine guide ratings. She has already been awarded the title“Young vintner of the year 2013/2014” by the German Agricultural Society (DLG).

“To me, wine is a product of nature and perfectly represents joie de vivre, enjoyment

Portrait: Christine Pröstler

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Portrait: Stefanie Weegmueller-Scherr

Liven up the gusto of Palatinate With 325 years of exceptional viticultural family traditions, the award-winning Weegmueller winery has consistently impressed palates with their exquisite wine creations from the Mittelhaardt in Rhineland Palatinate.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: KARL HOFFMANN / STEFANIE WIDMAYER / KARL JOTTER

Under the leadership of Stefanie Weegmueller-Scherr and her sister Gabriele Weegmueller, their love for extraordinary types of wines and traditional winemaking methods has made the winery a rather famous address for wine enthusiasts.The history of the Weegmuellers, an old noble family from Zurich, goes back centuries.

Emigrating from Switzerland to Rhineland Palatinate in 1657, the family began producing wine in 1685 before moving to Haardt, the ‘sunny terrace of Germany’, in 1737.

Since then, the Weegmuellers have been located on ‘the balcony of Palatinate’, whose exceptionally warm climate is perfect for growing unique vines and even almonds, lemons and figs. More than 90 per cent of Weegmueller’s 14 hectares of prime vineyards belong to the top classified locations in

the Palatinate with excellent soil conditions.

“We call Palatinate ‘the Tuscany of Germany’,” winery owner Stefanie Weegmueller-Scherr laughs. The trained winemaker has worked in the profession since 1984, a time when no other women were found in the male-dominated industry. She has not only mastered the technical aspects of winemaking, but brings heart and sensuality to her work. Putting special emphasis on working in conformity with nature, ecological awareness and a willingness to understand natural processes form the basis for the production of their high-quality wines.

The wines of the winery, which has been in the family’s hands for 11 generations, have fine fruity nuances, lightness, density, complexity and elegance. Focusing primarily on

producing white and dry wines, Riesling dominates their white wine range. Also on offer are Pinot Gris, Gewuerztraminer, Sylvaner, Rieslaner, Mueller Thurgau and Kerner. With a love for extraordinary types of wines, Stefanie Weegmueller-Scherr recently began planting Gruener Veltliner, a wine that is rather rare in Germany. Her willingness to strive for the unusual has paid off; theVeltliner quickly achieved success on an international level. And theVeltliner isn’t the only success – Weegmueller winery has already scooped an impressive amount of regional, national and international awards. Following the philosophy that‘tradition means to keep the fire burning,’ the vineyard constantly tries to further develop their quality and aspirations.“We know that new and upcoming wine growers are springing up like mushrooms all over Palatinate, but we continually try to liven up the gusto of Palatinate,” Stefanie Weegmueller-Scherr concludes. www.weegmueller.de

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Main image: Vineyards in the Teufelspfad Right: Braunewell brothers Far right: Braunewell Teufelspfad 2013 Pinot Gris

Wine production in harmony with nature Family values, cross-generational expertise, nature, tradition and a shared vision of premium wines have long been the principles that the family-run Braunewell winery stands for. Even today, the two generations of the Braunewell vintners bank on close-to-nature vineyard management and natural winemaking in this historic wine-growing municipality of Essenheim in the Selz valley.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: WEINGUT BRAUNEWELL

“We are committed to sustainable viticulture and traditional winemaking,”says Stefan Braunewell, graduate engineer in viniculture and oenology. “We are playful craftsmen, almost artisans,”he adds. That’s why each of Braunewell’s wines is distinct, created with unrivalled love for detail; be it orange, unfiltered, red, white, sweet or firstclass sparkling wines. The majority of their

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wine-growing area is planted with Burgundy, pinot noir, pinot gris and Germany’s famous Riesling grape.“All of our wines are certified by leading wine guides and competitions,” the winemaker explains.

Located close to Frankfurt, the estate is home to some prime locations, such as the Teufelspfad, where the climatic differences

can be tasted. From the slopes that are high in lime content, the wines are fresh and tense, whereas the centre of the slope is characterised by a deep marl soil and warmer temperatures so that the wines become powerful and elegant. “We love to play with these differences,” Christian Braunewell says.“It’s beautiful to work on the perfect expression every year anew. We want to delight people with our wines and ourselves too, producing great products and the wine’s details.” Representing the cool North of Rhinehessen, their wines are terroir typical, mature and fruity with vibrating acidity and limestone groove. www.weingut-braunewell.de

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Germany

Enhancing business relations through exceptional wine events Looking for exclusive company events, customised trips and incentives, as well as unique fringe events for conferences and congresses that will bring employees and customers closer together? Just 30 minutes from the business hub of Frankfurt and near Mainz and Wiesbaden, two dedicated women organise wonderful wine experiences in the beautiful and historic landscape of Rhine-Hesse and Rheingau with an exceptional sense for detail.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: DIETH + SCHROEDER / HERRGOTTSGARTEN

Wine experiences for a day, a weekend or a whole week in Germany’s biggest and most beautiful wine-growing region – the company ‘Herrgottsgarten’ create the exquisite combination of culture and wine, far removed from stressful working hours. “We take a lot of care in selecting our cooperating partners, such as vintners, gastronomy and accommodation providers,” Anke Schneider, one of the two founders and joint owner, explains. Whether a customer desires a full moon wine tasting, a drive through Rhinehessen and Rheingau on the nostalgia bus, dinner in a vineyard, a clas-

sic grape harvest or cooking course, Herrgottsgarten is sure to satisfy everyone’s individual wish.

Having been awarded the 2014 Best of Wine Tourism Award of The Great Wine Capitals, the company focuses on personal, warm and considerate planning for all their wine experiences and trips. Customers each receive a personal contact person who cares for their wellbeing.“We want our customers to feel like they’re in ‘Herrgottsgarten’, in paradise,”Anke Schneider says.“Our customers don’t need to plan a thing and we seek to guarantee happy and carefree hours

Above: Experience the best views in Rhine-Hesse and Rheingau from the nostalgia bus.

for our clients, far removed from stressful everyday life,”she adds. www.herrgottsgarten.de

Wine experiences, Events & Incentives

Enjoy Wine experiences from the treasure chest Rhine Valley and heart of Rhinehessen.

Taste the famous Riesling wines in its own region.

Exclusive, customised services and packages.

Only 30 minutes from Frankfurt Airport.

urs Wine to moon g at full in st ta e Win t picnic gour me & e in W te chocola Wine &

Herrgottsgarten Her r g ottsgar ten · Berges-Kitzer Ber g es-Kitzer & Schneider GbR R · Augustinerstraße A ugustinerstraße 31 · D-55116 D Mainz · www.herrgottsgarten.de www.herr r g ottsgar ten.de

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Germany

Main image: Vineyard Heinrich Eser in Oestrich-Winkel. Right: Heinrich Eser Riesling Wines (top). The whole family helps during the harvest on the vineyard (middle). Wines maturing in big barrels (below).

Heinrich Eser winemakers Leading a traditional, family-owned winery into an inspiring future Since the beginning of the 20th century, the vineyard Heinrich Eser has stood for crisp Rieslings and handpicked red wines. Today, the fourth generation of Eser vintners work on its steep Rheingau slopes to produce top quality wines, combining long family traditions with new approaches in winemaking.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN | PHOTOS: VINEYARD HEINRICH ESER

The vineyard Heinrich Eser is situated in Oestrich-Winkel, a small village in the wineproducing region of Rheingau. Stemming from the wine-growing traditions that monks initially established in the Rheingau during the Middle Ages, it wasn’t until 1917 that Leonard Eser bought the Doosberg, a vineyard that had formerly belonged to the Mainz diocesan chapter.This purchase laid the foundations for a long family tradition, which saw Heinrich Eser take over the vineyard from his father in 1947. Today, the vineyard is named after him, honouring the quality wines he began producing in the middle of the last century. His two sons, Helmut and Felix, now run the family business and have since enlarged the vineyard to encompass 12 hectares.

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These days, three generations and five Eser families live on the vineyard and while everyone has his or her own job alongside the winemaking, everyone lends a hand when needed – especially during the harvest or with wine tastings. Just last year, Tobias Eser followed in his father Helmut’s footsteps and he now manages the family business with wife Michaela.

They both want to honour the family’s traditions while trying out new approaches and techniques in winemaking. “With a guiding touch let nature take its course,”is a sentence that describes their work. The vintner duo strive to create top quality wines that contain an individual character and taste.

Michaela and Tobias Eser are both fully trained winemakers, having gained valuable expertise from their time spent working for other wine-makers in order to obtain vital insight into different techniques.

“We want to find our own way in winemaking without shaking the foundations our wines are built on,”explains Michaela Eser. While taking over and enlarging bottle sales, they will also develop new product lines throughout 2015 and introduce new work processes to lead their family’s craft into the future.

As one big family living and working on the vineyard, Heinrich Eser wines connect generations. The family’s dedication gives a remarkable nature to the wines, rendering them not only suitable for family meals but also for special events and celebrations. www.heinrich-eser.de

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Germany

Finest Feigenwäldchen from the home of the Baden Grand Crus Featuring three red berries on the Gault Millau rankings, Kopp winery is one of Baden’s finest vineyards and renowned for producing outstanding Riesling as well as award-winning Burgundies.

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTOS: KOPP WINERY

In 2012 the young winemaker Johannes Kopp took over the family business, located near the spa town of Baden-Baden in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Set in the foothills of the Black Forest, he is now in charge of 20 remarkably diverse hectares, which are largely characterised by siliceous rich rocks of red porphyry, which give the wines a very special note due to their richness in minerals. The perfect and rather mild microclimate in the area, including plenty of sunshine during the summer months and barely any frost in winter, adds to the high quality of the grapes.

Kopp winery specialises in Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Relying

on traditional wine-making techniques, all their red wines are openly mash fermented before being allowed to develop their full potential in authentic French barriques for 18 months.

The latest addition to the Kopp collection is the Feigenwäldchen, exclusively produced since 2009 on the grounds of the Fremersberg monastery by Johannes Kopp.To make the most of the ancient Riesling vineyards, which are surrounded by Mediterranean fig trees, a lot of expertise is demanded, but Kopp’s efforts are already paying off. The terraces are considered amongst the best German wine-growing areas, often dubbed the‘pearl of Baden’and home to the Baden

Grand Crus. Feigenwäldchen wines are exclusively available as a limited edition.

2013 marked a special year for the Kopp winery as the corporate identity was redefined, simplifying the identification for customers of their unique Basic,Terroir and Lagen wines, each named after a special vineyard. Today, the high quality produce has become a household name amongst wine connoisseurs, and the German Handelsblatt just voted Kopp amongst the top young German vintners. Alongside an impressive three Red Grapes on the Gault Millau rating, the 2010 Spätburgunder S also scooped third prize at the German Red Wine Awards.

Germany’s most significant wine guide, the Gault Millau 2015, says: “The new producer’s own quality classification is accompanied by a tremendous increase in quality.

The wonderfully balanced white Burgundies are complemented by the sensitive Rieslings from the Fremersberg monastery.

The multifarious variety of the finest 2012 Lagen Pinot Noirs is outstanding.” www.weingut-kopp.com

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Every future needs a past Almost four hundred years of family traditions form the basis for this exceptional winery. Since 1650 the Petershof in Alzey-Schafhausen has been the home of typical Rhine-Hessian wines. The knowledge about the soil, the ideal climate as well as a natural passion for wine has been passed on from one generation to the next.

Portrait: Stefan Kuhn

TEXT: MERYEM HAUER | PHOTOS: PETERSHOF WINERY

Since 2010 the Petershof winery has been run by the 13th generation of the family, with Stefan and Johanna Kuhn now successfully maintaining the estate as a beautiful home for quality wines. Over the last five years the vineyard, located in AlzeySchafhausen, been carefully modernised while upholding strict respect for the traditional spirit of this historic estate.

The terroir surrounding Petershof is characterised by a high lime content, which both heats up easily and stores sufficient water. All the vineyards are situated in a magnificent south-facing setting and the sun helps to develop the outstanding grape flavours. As a result of these ideal conditions, classic wines (Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Merlot) as well as certain Rhine-Hessian specialties (Scheurebe, Huxelrebe, Silvaner, Rivaner and Pinot Meunier) form

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the basis of their portfolio. The life of a winemaker is indeed a full-time job, as the grapes are very sensitive to environmental influences and need careful treatment as well as a natural level of nutrients. The fermentation processes are individually tailored to the grape varieties to ensure their full potential.

Since taking over responsibility for the estate, Stefan Kuhn and his family have enhanced the production facilities. With new stainless steel tanks, the wines’ maturation process is temperature controlled. For the final touches, wooden and barrique barrels are used to create a unique taste.

The Petershof winery manufactures authentic Rhine-Hessian wines, with whites wines characterised by their full-bodied and fruity taste, while the red wines have a fruity-toned note with a delicate and smooth finish.

The annual Hoffest attracts wine-lovers from all over Germany and Stefan Kuhn regularly updates the winery’s blog with their latest news. Visitors are always warmly welcomed at their wine tasting sessions and participating in a tour through their vineyards is a popular pastime. The Petershof is conveniently located thirty minutes from Frankfurt and just forty-five minutes from the Rhine-Mainarea. It is also possible to order a sample package of selected wines for personal wine tastings at home.

“Tradition is not to preserve the ashes, but to pass on the flame.”(attributed to Gustav Mahler) www.petershof-wein.de www.petershof-blog.de

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Germany

Lanius-Knab Winery In the heart of the idyllic Rhine Gorge world heritage site, viniculture has been a tradition for 2000 years. Here the lush vineyards of the Lanius-Knab winery can be found producing premium wines such as Riesling and Pinot Noir.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: ©PIELMEDIA

Since Jörg Lanius took over the 200-year old family winery in 1991, it has not only increased in size, but also gained an excellent reputation. Having worked in Tuscany, South Africa and New Zealand, Lanius combines expertise with dedication. The gently sloping vineyards of Bernstein, Oelsberg and Goldemund are the pillars of the winery and Lanius treats them as such.

He explains: “Top sites, classified by the German Association of Quality Wine Growing Estates (VDP), reduced harvests and firstclass grapes are the foundation of our handmade premium wines.The grape is processed gently and the wine is given enough time to develop its taste and aroma in the cellar.”

This results in particularly authentic wines with longevity.The winery is home to the Riesling, often referred to as the Queen of the grape varieties.“It is the only variety that brings out the finer nuances, from the dry Gutsriesling to the noble sweet selection,” Lanius adds. A historic speciality in the region is the Pinot Noir and Lanius produces the Pinot Noir rosé and Pinot Noir red wine.

The collaboration with great local restaurants such as the Weinhaus Weiler not only strengthens the regional wine culture, but also offers visitors a wonderful variety of wine-related events. For Lanius and his family winemaking is not just

an occupation, it is a true calling. www.lanius-knab.de Portrait: Joerg Lanius

Award-winning hospitality at Weinhaus Weiler In the enchanted region of the Rhine Gorge, hospitality is much more than just a word; it is a way of life. At Weinhaus Weiler, the hotel, restaurant and wine tavern, guests can look forward to a heartfelt service, traditional cuisine and an outstanding wine selection.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: WEINHAUS WEILER

A family business for four generations, Weinhaus Weiler is located in the picturesque town of Oberwesel, right in the centre of the world heritage site. The historic half-timbered house overlooks the scenic Rhine and gives an instant sense of tranquillity and rest. Ten rooms offer modern comfort within the traditional atmosphere.

Owners Trudel and Klaus Weiler are passionate hosts, heartily welcoming their guests to the Weinhaus, where selected regional premium wines and traditional culinary art awaits.“We are deeply rooted in the region,”explains Trudel Weiler.“It is important for us to source quality produce from regional suppliers and prepare it gently to

maintain all the flavours.”

While the menu is primarily seasonal, a few famous dishes such as Sauerbraten can be tasted all year round.The wine selection is representative of the best vintners in the valley and the Weilers are happy to give

personal recommendations.“We offer little wine tastings so that guests can find their own favourite wine. Our partner LaniusKnab winery is certainly very popular and our guests love the tour of their wine cellars,“ adds Weiler.

In 2010 Weinhaus Weiler was awarded the prestigious title Host of the Year in Rhineland-Palatinate and in 2014 and 2015 they received TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award. www.weinhaus-weiler.de

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Big Wine Special

Discover Austrian Wine The wine regions are often just a short trip away, offering not only a wide range of excellent wines and tasty specialties, but also a complete experience that unites relaxation and wellness with exercise and fun. With the online platform winetravelsinaustria.com from the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB), a site rich in travel recommendations and routes, there is nothing to stand in the way of an exciting journey of discovery through Austria's wine and pleasure landscape.

TEXT: AUSTRIAN WINE MARKETING BOARD (ÖSTERREICH WEIN MARKETING GMBH) | PHOTOS: ÖWM/WIRZ, DIETER STEINBACH

The fascination of wine - up close!

Whether as a wine connoisseur, wine lover or pleasure seeker, a personal guided tour through vineyards and wine cellars along with a wine tasting, or perhaps an excellent afternoon snack of cold cuts in the winemaker's own “Heurigen” wine tavern, is always a remarkable and authentic experience. Wineries in Austria are – in contrast to those in many other countries – usually small operations and nearly always familyrun enterprises. That is why a visit to our winemakers is so individual and unique.

Wine with leisure activities included The unbeatable combination of wine and good food, leisure time, culture and relaxation is a necessary – and welcome – diversion from everyday life. Now, many wine regions offer package deals for that perfect wine holiday.

For wine explorers who prefer to plan their own trips, the travel platform from the

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AWMB – winetravelsinaustria.com – comprises optimal features for the seamless planning of an individual journey. Winemakers, wines, hotels, restaurants and events can be easily matched to suit the planned holiday dates and incorporated into an individual holiday route.

Wide range of offers in Austria's wine regions Those who are fans of culture can enjoy, for example, a wine culture journey in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), with its picturesque wine regions along the Danube river including magnificently impressive monastery churches like Melk, Göttweig and Klosterneuburg. For friends of nature and sport enthusiasts who like to enjoy wine after a bike ride or round of surfing, the Neusiedler See is the absolute highlight. In Southern Austria, the Südburgenland and Steiermark regions are havens for

Austria

relaxation. In these areas, wine is enjoyed not only with a delicious “Brettljause” – a platter of cold meats – but also as a refreshing and soothing cosmetics product.

And in Vienna, the steep up-and-down hiking trails – especially on the Nussberg and Kahlenberg vineyard hills – provide breathtaking views of the capital below, and beyond.TheVienna Basin, south of the city, presents great hiking opportunities, and these can be rounded off with a culinary exploration at a traditional “Heurigen” wine tavern.

Austria's wine roads are ready for spring.

And at winetravelsinaustria.com, the allinclusive journey of discovery to wine guarantees you’ll find and plan the best experience possible. www.austrianwine.com Portrait: Willi Klinger, Director ÖWM

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Austria

A passion for wine The vineyard Artner covers an area of 35 hectares of prime wine-growing land in the Carnuntum region of Austria. As the ancient Romans knew all too well, these nutritious lime and loess soils combined with the climatic influences of Lake Neusiedl and the Danube provide the optimal conditions for viticulture.

TEXT: MERYEM HAUER | PHOTOS: VINEYARD ARTNER

This family-run business, located in Höflein, mainly focuses on the indigenous grape varieties of the region: Grüner Veltliner, Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch. They are passionate about their artisanal wines that can be best described on a spectrum of light fruity whites to deep luscious reds, and as wines that always reflect their origin in the Carnuntum. The internationally successful wines are complex and harmonious and have scooped several awards and prizes.

The Syrah wine, which embodies the winemaker’s passion, is notably high in demand.

As the perfect complement to the winery, the Artners run two restaurants in cen-

tral Vienna, which both specialise in traditional and regional dishes. At the tavern in Höflein, guests are welcome to try goats’ cheese specialities, which team perfectly with their wine assortment.

Christoph Artner, the youngest of four siblings, is responsible for marketing and exports. He created the idea of combining his passion for wine with his love for a punk lifestyle, which led to the slogan: Do what we wanna do, drink what we wanna drink!

Together with business partners Gerald Travnicek and Mario Galowsky, he develops the wines Rotten, Daydreamer, Portuguese Love, T.F.A. (Time For Action) and Rosy

More than exclusive wine The Austrian Winery Leo Hillinger not only impresses with its exclusive and tasteful wines, it also boasts an exceptional location in the middle of the Jois vineyards with a view over Lake Neusiedl, making it the perfect event location. These features and more are combined with a modern ambience and the special lifestyle of Leo Hillinger.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: WOLFGANG PRUMMER

Weddings between grapevines, birthday parties amid barrique barrels, or Christmas parties in the wine cellar; Leo Hillinger specialises in offering exclusive and individual events. “We don’t offer ready-made packages off the shelf, as we want to individually and exclusively tailor every event to our customer’s wishes. We convey the unique feeling that each event is a unicum and isn’t carried out a second time,” Leo Hillinger, owner and manager, explains enthusiastically.

Offering an all-round service for their customers’ events, 75 employees seek to guide their guests throughout the entire celebration. Since 2004, visitors have been welcomed to stop at the premises seven days a week, 365 days a year.“Our event options are

Portrait: Hannes, Christoph and Peter Artner

Cheek with the label of Punk’s Finest Wines.

Each wine comes with its own soundtrack and can be listened to on the website. www.artner.co.at www.punksfinest.com

eclectic and varied. Whether one wants to arrive at the event with a helicopter or dreams of an idyllic picnic in the vineyards – everything is possible,”explains Leo Hillinger.

The competent Hillinger events team also assist their customers with the organisation of the programme of events and the catering. With the latest multimedia technology in the barrique area and the tasting lounge, no wish goes unfulfilled. “Good wine belongs to every celebration – and that’s why Hillinger is the right place to be,” Leo Hillinger adds. www.leo-hillinger.com Below: HILL Lounge; the event room and tasting area

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The oldest restaurant in central Europe Fine dining between tradition and modernity For more than 1,200 years, St. Peter Stiftskeller has been the place to be in Salzburg for wining, dining and creating memories while celebrating special occasions.

restaurant is set amongst old monastery walls, radiating an atmosphere of venerability and comfort at the same time.

TEXT: DORINA REICHHOLD | PHOTOS: ST. PETER STIFTSKELLER

If the walls could talk they would tell many stories from the past centuries. Since first being referenced in a document from the year 803, St. Peter Stiftskeller is the oldest restaurant in Central Europe. But it is certainly not frozen in time nor stuck in history, as it is constantly reinventing itself in order to provide its guests with the best service and fine dining creations of the highest quality. Tradition and modernity are united in a truly unique Austrian gem.

Situated in the heart of Salzburg's old town centre, surrounded by stunningly beautiful architecture, St. Peter Stiftskeller is an important part of the city’s urban image. From

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housing French soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars to being looted at the end of the First World War, it is also a true witness to Salzburg’s lengthy history. The

Having always been famous for its hospitality, St. Peter Stiftskeller is constantly coming up with innovations and new ideas for the menu, whilst maintaining its distinctively high standards and the comfort its guests are used to. Nearly every day sees new dishes being tried out, ensuring that regulars are presented different options on each visit. Head chef Andreas Krebs has a passion for carefully selecting seasonal and locally sourced produce, with which he masterfully creates classical, traditional dishes, such as Tafelspitz and Cordon Bleu, with an innovative twist. The local ingredients are complemented by a selection of international produce, such as Irish Hereford beef. One dish definitely not to be missed

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Austria

of them possess an unrivalled elegance and show genuine attention for detail. In the summer time, an additional 200 people can be seated outside. Each of the rooms at St. Peter Stiftskeller can be booked exclusively for private events.Varying in size and shape, the rooms therefore offer the ideal conditions for many different occasions, be it an intimate family dinner, business matters or large birthday celebrations.

when in Salzburg is the iconic Salzburger Nockerl, a sweet soufflé, which is a veritable classic of Austrian cuisine, and a dessert that certainly appears on St. Peter Stiftskeller’s menu and comes highly recommended by the staff. To accompany the food, there’s a considered choice of carefully chosen high quality wines, many of which are from local Austrian producers.

St. Peter Stiftskeller is not only famous for its hospitality and its food, which easily rival the world’s best restaurants, but also for its broad spectrum of guests; it is a place for everyone, locals as well as tourists, gourmet-seekers as well as businessmen. While celebrities flock here during the Salzburg Festival, it’s a popular choice all year around for those in the limelight. Operatic soprano Anna Netrebko celebrated her engagement here and designer Karl Lagerfeld took 250 of his guests to the restaurant for dinner before the start of a fashion show.

In 2015, Claus Haslauer and Veronika Kirchmair-Haslauer have big plans for the restaurant, as they prepare to give the garden a makeover, adding a new bar to the outside area. Time never stands still in this remarkable venue. On your next visit to Salzburg, or to celebrate your next special occasion in style, don’t miss a meal at the St. Peter Stiftskeller, the oldest restaurant in Central Europe. Take the opportunity to add your own tale to the history of this historic venue, giving the walls yet more to talk about.

The restaurant is the perfect place for those who are looking for an extraordinary location to host a memorable evening for their guests – after all, special occasions need an exceptional location. Whether booking the whole restaurant or one of the rooms, the staff at St. Peter Stiftskeller will make sure you receive impeccable service and unbeatable comfort.

Highly experienced, the staff provide all their customers with their special know-how on how to host the perfect celebration.

www.stpeter-stiftskeller.at www.haslauer.at

Ever since Claus Haslauer and his wife Veronika Kirchmair-Haslauer became the hosts of St. Peter Stiftskeller in 1992, they have worked ceaselessly to restore the restaurant’s historic interior whilst simultaneously adding modern comfort and innovations. The restaurant itself is made up of a total of 11 rooms, all meticulously restored, and an arcade court. Combined, they offer seating for up to 540 guests.

While each room has a different theme, all

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Austria

Deeply rooted family business Krutzler Winery presents a wide range of high-quality wines made from grapes ripened on the Eisenberg on their 12 hectares of vineyards. The exceptional climate, beautiful mineral-rich soils and the focus on the interplay of premium fruit and consistent vineyard management have helped Krutzler Winery to impress countless taste buds since 1966.

Main image and top: Eisenberg Above: Eisenberg’s special slate ground influences the wine’s taste (middle) Bottles of Perwolff (bottom)

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: MANFRED KLIMEK/ HERBERT LEHMANN

“Especially important is the sincerity of what I do. I want everything to be inherently consistent; I don’t want to tell fairy-tales. Everything that I sell with my wine is genuine.This means I keep my freedom and the decisions are ours.We don’t get controlled by others and we know what we do. We produce wines for people who can distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘very good’,”explains Reinhold Krutzler, winemaker and owner of Krutzler Winery.

Reinhold Krutzler is a qualified cellar master, having gained expertise through stints at international wineries. Committed with his heart and soul to South Burgenland’s authentic wines, Reinhold adopted his father’s pioneering spirit and thereby spearheaded a crusade for top-quality Austrian wines.“Wine became a big part of my life through my father’s passion. With full dedication I went to viticulture school and thus grew into my profession to bring joy to wine lovers,”Reinhold Krutzler says.

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Already in its fifth generation, the winery’s exclusive vineyards are located in DeutschSchützen and on the Eisenberg in South Burgenland – known by many as‘the wine idyll’ due to its gently undulating hills and calm, tranquil ambience. Here, one can find 180 hectares of Blaufränkisch vines that are “exceptionally earthy, rich in minerals, aromatic, clear and fruity. They have a fascinating tannin structure, which primarily grow on slate ground with strongly ferrous clay and are therefore unique in Austria,” explains Reinhold Krutzler.

Krutzler’s wines can be described as profound and versatile.“Each of our wines distinguishes itself through its elegance, suppleness and particularly fine minerality. We try to strengthen the unique texture, delicate fruit and regionally typical finesse in each individual wine. The bold, tannic structure of our top wines still needs some time to combine perfectly with the fruit

flavours in the bottle and with extended aging, they will please the palate,” Reinhold Krutzler continues.

“Even today, we feel obliged to follow the independent route that we took in 1966 with the production of quality wines when this was still the exception in Austria,”Reinhold Krutzler concludes. www.krutzler.at

Portrait: Reinhold Krutzler. Photo: Manfred Klimek

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Discover Germany | Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Austria

Healthy and natural Already in its fourth generation since 1915, the family Tschida’s Biohof Heideboden has long been dedicated to Austrian organic winemaking. Believing that a healthy and natural product demands an intact eco-system, Biohof Heideboden puts special emphasis on working in harmony with the landscape and its climatic conditions.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: BIOHOF HEIDEBODEN

Committed to close-to-nature viniculture for decades, Biohof Heideboden decided to exclusively work organically in the new millennium.“Even though the cultivation is much more complex than conventional winegrowing, we don’t compromise when it comes to quality,” Gottfried Tschida, owner of the family business, says. Biohof Heideboden’s vineyards are located in the Seewinkel – the eastern part of Neusiedl National Park. Here, the vines enjoy the most hours of sun in Austria and the soils are rich in humus and microorganisms.

“Through this,” explains Tschida, “our grapevines can nourish themselves in a

closed eco-system with the other plants. The environmental conditions are ideal for cultivation of organic wines.

We also favour human resources over machines. Our grapes are all picked by hand,” he adds.

Biohof Heideboden’s range of wines offers a light and fruity Sauvignon Blanc, a well-balanced Riesling

www.biohof-heideboden.at

Left: Biohof Heideboden’s vineyard Portrait: Gottfried Tschida

Pure passion for Pinot Christoph Edelbauer winery banks on complete sustainability to produce its high quality and exceptionally tasty organic wines.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: MARCEL KOEHLER

Living in harmony with nature, the size and structure of the winery has been designed to enable vintner Christoph Edelbauer to personally supervise and influence each step of the cultivation process.

“Each grape is harvested by hand,” Christoph Edelbauer explains. “The most important thing for us is to respect our vineyards and guarantee that we preserve their quality for future generations. That’s why we apply maximum consideration in all aspects of our work, whether it’s vine cultivation, packaging solutions or through resource utilisation,”he adds.

A true vintner by passion, his family business is located in Austria’s Kamptal.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the win-

and the red wine portfolio is comprised of full-bodied Zweigelt, Merlot and Syrah.

However, their flagship is the Cassiopeia a composition of Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, Blaufraenkisch and Zweigelt. “A healthy creation full of charm and harmony,”Gottfried Tschida explains.“Our wines are an expression of the positive cohabitation of human, vines and nature; hence our wines contribute to your mind and physical wellbeing,” he concludes.

ery’s main grape varieties are GruenerVeltliner and Riesling. However, Christoph Edelbauer has a special affection for a different type of wine. “As a vintner from Kamptal, it’s natural for me to love theVelt-

liner and Riesling, but my true lifeblood belongs to the Pinot Noir,”he reveals.“I believe it fits perfectly in this region and benefits from the cool temperatures and the significant day and night fluctuations.”Kamptal’s microclimate and its specific soil conditions shape the resulting wine, forming a distinctive character.“My wine is a unique taste adventure and offers satisfaction to the palate.

It should simply and unalterably reflect the climatic conditions over the course of the year,”the vintner concludes. www.weingut-edelbauer.at

Below: Ladybird (left). Red wine mash (middle). A bottle of Pinot Noir (right)

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Big Wine Special Switzerland

Swiss wine doesn’t exist The well-known citation from the former president of Swiss Wine Promotion: ‘Le vin suisse n’existe pas’, or in English, ‘Swiss wine doesn’t exist’, might sound like a rather surprising statement from the president of an organisation whose sole goal it is to promote Swiss wines, but it was in fact meant it in a completely different context; Swiss wine certainly exists –just not in the minds of the consumers.

TEXT: ANDREAS KELLER | PHOTOS: HANS-PETER SIFFERT | EMMIE COLLINGE

The current present of Swiss Wine Promotion and its director are presently doing everything in their power to create a wellknown presence for Swiss wine at home and abroad. Nestled between the far larger wine-producing countries of Germany, Austria, Italia and France, there’s a host of unexpected treasure to be discovered in this small country when it comes to wine. The primary varieties of Chasselas and Pinot noir are produced to form the ideal wines, possessing their own distinct characters. In the Alpine valleys, rare indigenous grape varieties are grown, such as Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Completer or Bondola, which present a welcome break to the global monotony.

The month of May sees countless wine cellars throw open their doors to public

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tastings, which lends itself perfectly to a complete discovery of Swiss wines (www.offeneweinkeller.ch). For those who’d like to taste wines from the length and breadth of Switzerland in one go, you’ll have to wait patiently until the end of summer when Mémoire & Friends opens in Zurich on the final Monday in August. With over 150 exhibitors from all corners of the country, this is a vast presentation of Swiss Wines (www.memoireand-friends.ch). At Prowein in Düsseldorf, which takes place a day earlier, a smaller selection of Swiss wines can be enjoyed as an appetizer (www.swisswine-at-prowein.ch).

within the Swiss wine scene and counts the elite from within the world of Swiss wine production among its members, alongside journalists and professionals from the wine world. The Mémoire, which maintains a veritable treasure trove of a room, home to a complete collection of now around 20,000 wines from all of Switzerland, some of which are over ten years old, is open to the public once a year. The objective behind these exclusive tasting sessions is to highlight the under-appreciated potential of aging, and therefore the nobility of great Swiss wines.

Set up in 2002 by four wine journalists, the renowned association, Mémoire des Vins Suisses, plays a pioneering role

www.swisswine.ch www.swiss-wine-connection.ch www.mdvs.ch

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Switzerland

Main image: Pinot Noir – end of October before harvesting Above: View from vineyard across the village, lake and mountains (top) Erich Meier pruning in winter (bottom)

Authentic wines of top international quality The innovative winery Erich Meier relies on a big portion of perfectionism and experimentation to produce its exclusive, hand-made wines, impressing every palate with their characterful nuances. In its fifth generation, the family business in Switzerland‘s Uetikon am See puts a special emphasis on sustainability and organic viniculture.

ture, refined in the cellar, sustainable over years”– this is Erich Meier’s motto. www.erichmeier.ch

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: LORENZ RICHARD Portrait: Erich Meier

Seven hectares of vineyards with an innovative approach to viniculture have made their mark on international wine connoisseurs. Numerous awards, such as the Gault Millau 2013, the Grand Prix DuVine Suisse or the Transform Award 2013, are testament to their high quality. A real trendsetter in wine pressing, vintner Erich Meier banks on the established grape varieties, which thrive in Lake Zurich’s microclimate.

As the only wine-presser in the area, Erich Meier prides himself on manually vinifying, processing and pressing all of his produced grapes in his own wine press cellar.

Established in 1793, Erich Meier seeks to give his wines a clear signature - from the vine and the vinification to the pressing and the marketing. “In doing so, I constantly measure up to my standards regarding quality, character and innovation. I want to remain independent and open with my wine style, I want to explore boundaries and set new standards,” Erich Meier explains. The natural features of Lake Zurich, such as its dry northerly wind, long hours of sun and an optimal, chalky soil composition give the wines their distinctively fresh, fruity and strong character.“Made from na-

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Domaines des Virets Unique wines from the Swiss Valais In the middle of the Alps lies one of Europe’s unique winemaking regions: the Swiss Valais, home to more than 5,000 hectares of prime vine-growing soil. Here, quality wines are not only defined by their outstanding taste but also by their unique character – just like those grown by Pierre-Alain Mathier on the Domaines des Virets.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN | PHOTOS: HANS-PETER SIFFERT / WEINWELTFOTO.CH

As the eldest son of one of Switzerland’s best-known winemaking families, it is only to be expected that Pierre-Alain Mathier would choose a prime location for his own vineyards – and this certainly applies for Domaines des Virets, which he bought in

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1995.The Domaines desVirets is situated in the middle of the terraced vineyards of St. Léonard in the heart of the Valais. The Domaines des Virets vineyards profit from a chalky soil condition and direct sunlight, which results in excellent wines. Two grape

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“For me acquiring this vineyard was a commitment to the winemaking tradition of my family and a declaration of love towards my geographical home,”says Pierre-Alain Mathier.“This is something I want to pass on to my descendants.”Pierre-Alain Mathier’s family have lived in Salgesch, just a few kilometres away from the Domaines des Virets, since the 14th century and began producing wines almost immediately. Having worked in London and NewYork before moving to Zurich about 20 years ago, where he lives now with his family, Mathier explains that buying the vineyard has not only allowed him to honour his family traditions but also to pursue his other passions.

Wines made of grapes grown on best possible soils Under the watchful eye of the oenologist Iwan Imboden, the grapes grown on the vineyards of the Domaines desVirets evolve into two excellent wines: a Fendant and a Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir is an elegant and smooth wine with a taste perfectly fitting to accompany red meat, fish and Brie.

It is ready to be enjoyed two to four years after harvest. The Fendant, made from the Chasselas grapes, is not only aromatic but has a soft bitterness that makes it perfect for an aperitif or as a tasteful addition to fish, shellfish and cheese dishes.

A wine region formed by ice and earth shifts With about 5,000 hectares of vineyards theValais is an important wine region, where more than 40 wine specialities are made. Notably, many vintners have turned away from mass-market wines recently and now exclusively concentrate on producing high quality wines, admittedly with a decrease in quantity but with a significant increase in quality. varieties were originally cultivated here: Chasselas and Pinot Noir. And now some Heida vines have been added to the vineyard as well. The vineyard is considered among the region’s very best and the vines grown here are between 15 and 48 years old.

With a landscape formed by retreating glaciers since the Ice Age, the ancient geological history not only made its mark on the scenery but now has a veritable influence on the taste of the wines grown on this soil.

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New techniques guarantee interesting wines The Domaines des Virets wines have the appeal of being wines made by a younger generation of experimental vintners, who each have a clear vision of a wine’s character even before the grapes are filled into barrels or steel tanks to be fermented. For example, the Chasselas grapes are pressed and the juice is cooled down until all the grapes have been brought in from the vineyard. Only after that does the fermentation start, resulting in a yellow colouring, reminiscent of cut straw, and a lingering flavour, which is an aftertaste of the soil on which the grapes have grown.

The Fendant de St. Léonard, as the wine is titled, also surprised wine connoisseurs during a tasting. Unique and wholly unexpected from a Chasselas with its inten-

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sity and aromatic nature, they were astonished by the taste.

Unlike other vineyards, the Domaines des Virets does not open its doors to the public. Instead, the wines produced by Domaines desVirets – such as the before mentioned Fendant de St. Léonard as well as the Pinot Noir de St. Léonard and the barrique ripened Pinot Noir Réserve de St. Léonard – can be bought at about 870 Coop stores. As Coop is the market leader for quality wines in Switzerland, this is an unusual but fortunate cooperation. This year, Domaines desVirets is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their exclusive cooperation with Coop and is therefore launching a new wine into the market: The Heida will be available from summer 2015 onwards.

The vines were only recently added to the

vineyard of Domaines des Virets, making the new Heida even more special. www.lesvinsduvalais.ch

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Switzerland

Portrait: Sina and Matthias Gubler-Möhr

Möhr-Niggli winery Passion and dedication are the most important ingredients when it comes to making quality wine. Sina and Matthias Gubler-Möhr cannot imagine a life without producing wines, something you can certainly taste.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: THOMAS KNELLWOLF PHOTOGRAPHY

The Swiss winery started out as a hobby for Sina Gubler-Möhr’s parents Fortunat and Magda Möhr-Niggli, who slowly turned their inherited agricultural farm into a wine estate. With the help of friends and family, their dream came true, as the winery became their main occupation in the 1990s.

Sina and husband Matthias Gubler-Möhr joined the business after gathering experience abroad. With knowledge gained from several years of work in Italy, France, Chile and California, they were perfectly equipped to expand the parental winery further. Matthias Gubler-Möhr explains their philosophy:“Our home is Maienfeld, in the Bündner Herrschaft. It is important to us that you can taste where our wines are from. Our main challenge is to combine

traditional techniques with modern knowledge. That way we can make the most of the vine and the grape. The experience we have gained helps us to ensure we meet international standards.”

The famous Pinot Noir, a fruity and complex red wine, is the most popular of the region, though not the easiest to produce. A welcome challenge for the winery, this is one they have mastered beautifully.Their flagship wine is the PILGRIM Pinot Noir, with a delicate spiciness merged with a blue almost black fruitiness. There is a hint of wooden, slightly roasted flavours such as mocha, coconut and even cedar. On the palate the wine is full-bodied with delicate yet persistent tannins and a round finish.“This wine reflects our expertise perfectly,” says Gubler-Möhr.

Award-winning chef Andreas Caminada, whose restaurant has three Michelin stars and 19 Gault Millau points, has recently discovered the PILGRIM, marking a major coup for the winery. During a promotional Swiss Air flight from Zurich to New York, passengers indulged in Caminada’s freshly prepared haute cuisine on a tray instead of in his castle restaurant. High up in the air, the PILGRIM accompanied the meal, which made the vintners rightfully proud.

As there is always more to explore, the winemaking family is covering new grounds with the white wine variety Viognier, which traditionally grows further south. Gubler-Möhr smiles: “We see our estate as a small gem, where we can try everything the way we would like to.” A successful method that is reaping rewards for the company. www.moehr-niggli.ch

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Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Switzerland

A millennium of excellence Since the year 996, the vineyards of the magnificent winery Château de Châtagneréaz have stretched across Switzerland’s La Côte Mont-sur-Rolle wine-growing area, set high above Lake Geneva.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: PHILIPPE KRAUER/ REGIS COLOMBO

Its red and white wine creations are characterised by great vivacity, spicy elegance, remarkable richness and an extraordinary high quality, made possible by the vintner’s commitment and adherence to extremely strict rules. Château de Châtagneréaz is a member of the Association Clos, Domaines & Château. “It is a group that federates many of the most historical estates of the Canton deVaud region. We share the same commitment to the production of high quality wines and have all agreed to work in accordance to strict rules – stricter than what is mandatory by law,” explains the vinter Pierre-Olivier Dion-Labrie.“We believe in producing the best grapes possible

in order to make the best wine possible,”he adds. By producing their grapes in a healthy and safe environment to give the most complexity to the final product, the Château aims to respect and enhance the ecosystem’s natural balance.

These efforts, combined with nearby Lake Geneva’s mild climate, the significant drops in temperature and varying altitudes, give the estate a series of‘tools’to produce different wines that can be blended, each complementing the other with its particular character. Particularly famous for their white wines, the estate believes that they start offering their best after a few years of cellaring. “They then become full-bodied

The highest vineyard in Europe A cooperative with over 500 members, the St. Jodern Kellerei still produces its wines according to traditions that date back centuries. The special soil conditions of Europe’s highest vineyard in Switzerland’s Visperterminen, as well as their exclusive reliance on working by hand, guarantee that St. Jodern Kellerei’s wines remain distinctive and exclusive.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: ST. JODERN KELLEREI / REMY STEINEGGER

“All associates of our cooperative competently process their parcels of land as a side job,” Markus Burgener, manager of St. Jodern’s wine-growing cooperative, explains. Founded in 1979, the concept and the goal behind the project was to collectively market the wines, while preserving the tradition of theVisperterminen and the Visper Valley.

Seeking to protect the Alpine viniculture as well as constantly improving quality and guaranteeing typicity of their wines, the St. Jodern Kellerei still grows the famous Heida grape. Flourishing on steep slopes at

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a high altitude, this white grape variety impresses wine drinkers with its fresh, pungent and full-body character.“Our special soil condition, consisting of black slate,

wines with complex notes of honey, peach and even saffron,” concludes Diob-Labrie. www.chatagnereaz.ch www.c-d-c.ch Above: Winery Château de Châtagneréaz

moraine and minerals, expresses itself in a fruity undertone combined with mineral nuances,”Markus Burgener says.

TheVisperterminen is not only a special sight because of its altitude, but also because of its terraced vineyards and traditional dry stone walls. As the highest vineyard in Europe, it boasts the ideal climatic conditions for viniculture, as it is also the region in Switzerland with the least rainfall.

The combination of these features along with the Foehn wind and the special mineral soil creates the ideal conditions for the grapes to ripen. www.jodernkellerei.ch

Below: Visperterminen ‘Rieben’ vineyard (left) . Degustation room (right)

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Special Theme

Wellness

Great Spa & Wellness Destinations

The new corporate treat Spa and wellness hotels have rapidly gained popularity over recent years, leading the trend for healthier lifestyles and being at ease with body and soul.

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTO: RUZAIMY

While individuals have spent years happily booking into relaxing hotels with lavish spas, saunas, pools, beauty and gym facilities, corporations now appear to be jumping on the train to total relaxation too. Pampering time is no longer restricted to private individuals, as companies have discovered a way to keep their workforce happier and healthier through wellness.

Let’s take a look at the US, where corporate wellness programmes and the pro-

motion of healthy lifestyles amongst employees is on the rise. According to a survey conducted by the US non-profit organisation The National Business Group on Health together with financial experts Fidelity Investments, American employers are investing strongly in growing corporate wellness and health-focussed programmes for their employees. Over two thirds of employers now offer some form of corporate wellness programme, worth an average €652 per employee compared

to €404 five years ago. Amongst the most popular workplace wellness programmes of 2015, expect to see biometric screenings, health risk assessments and physical activity programmes. Massage vouchers, beauty treatments, etc. for the workforce members are no longer considered just fringe benefits, but important tools to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. On a larger scale, corporate off-sites in luxurious wellness hotels are gaining popularity too. So next time you enter a spa area, don’t be surprised if your colleague turns up right next to you followed by your boss, all clad in fluffy white hotel robes with matching slippers. And if the company you work for is not as forward-thinking and health-conscious as the Americans yet, it may be time to drop the HR department a little hint. On the following pages we present a wonderful selection of hotels, which are perfect for a wellness trip – regardless of whether it’s private or corporate.

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Fascination: Lake Constance Enjoying an exclusive location on the Austrian banks of Lake Constance, the SENTIDO Seehotel Am Kaiserstrand stands at the entrance to the city of Bregenz on what has long been considered Austria’s most beautiful beach, just like Emperor Karl I described it almost a century ago.

TEXT & PHOTOS: SEEHOTEL AM KAISERSTRAND | TRANSLATION: EMMIE COLLINGE

Today as it celebrates its fifth anniversary, the revitalised and modernised hotel on the lake presents 102 modern rooms and suites, an award-winning kitchen and six seminar and conference rooms, each flooded with natural light. Alongside its exclusive Badehaus and propriety boat jetty, the hotel also boasts a generous 900m² wellness area and the newly launched arteprevent® health centre, which has the ‘art of prevention’ for sustainable health at its core.

The lake exudes an attitude of endless freedom, radiating wellness, comfort and hos-

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pitality, which is more than reflected in the inimitable style of the Seehotel Am Kaiserstrand. Discover this for yourself this June as you take advantage of their generous

anniversary offer of two nights for a discounted price. Air-conditioned and flooded with light, the rooms and suites for guests are characterised by their subtle colour palette, clean lines and first-rate materials, which create a relaxing ambiance where guests feel at home. Gazing out from the hotel, guests are enraptured with the spectacular views over the local mountain, the ‘Pfänder’, Lake Constance and the surrounding peaks.

Taste and enjoyment are central to Restaurant Wellenstein. Assiduously following the seasons and opting for locally sourced produce from the local area, exquisite regional and international cuisine awaits. Culinary highlights can also be enjoyed in the Badehaus, the Gastgarten and the Barista Bar. The Badehaus, built in a stilt-style of architecture, is considered one of the most

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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Great Spa & Wellness Destinations

Thanks to the high standard of service at the Seehotel Am Kaisterstrand and your choice of catering for the event, the six modern seminar and group rooms, each equipped with the latest technology, are a harmonious place to work. Two seminar rooms can be combined to fit 85 people, and four break-out spaces, each with capacity for 20-30 people, guarantee sufficient space for discussions, strategy setting and thought-swapping.

renowned showpieces of Voralberg’s folkloric wooden architecture. It offers the ideal platform on which to spend a sunny day on the lake, or to celebrate an exclusive event with up to 120 people in good weather. A refuge for sun-seekers and those seeking a change, the walkway from the banks of Lake Constance to the Badehaus stretches 42 metres and provides wonderful views.

Come summer, a further highlight comes in the form of the mooring jetty,‘Am Kaiserstand’, which is a regular departure point for boat trips around the lake and to the Bregenzer Festspielen. Charter trips for up to 1,000 people can be booked all year round and are a popular choice for special occasions.

When it comes to wellness, there’s ample space and time here for you to indulge your body from head to toe. Not only are there various saunas overlooking Lake Constance, a steam room, a Physiotherm infrared cabin, six treatment rooms and a relaxation area on the terrace with a lake view, the professional masseuses and beauticians are on hand to provide individual consultations and the opportunity to let go of any stress. The health-boosting concept of arteprevent® was launched in the Seehotel’s wellness area at the beginning of this year. Focusing on the regeneration of the digestive tract, arteprevent® is based on the most up-to-date nutritional science knowledge. Doctor of Medicine Alex Witasek, president of the International Society of MAYR PHYSICIANS, developed the holistic concept of ‘arteprevent® - the modern art of healthcare’after years of experience in the field. While guests enjoy the invigorating fresh air and majestic views, the therapists and doctor take care of your health check-up, individually preparing a bespoke, sustainable and therapeutic programme. By uniting competent medicines, efficient treatment methods, healthy and appetising nutrition and the hotel’s uncompromising holiday atmosphere, the Sentido Seehotel Am Kaiserstrand guarantees unique added value for a healthy life.

self this June to a spontaneous 2-night break for the reduced price of €268 per person, rather than €342. Relax in a Comfort double room overlooking the lake, and enjoy the welcoming mineral water, a substantial and tasty breakfast and a 3-course evening meal in the award-winning Restaurant Wellenstein. The price also includes a boat trip in the Bregenz bay, access to the Spa & Wellness area with heated indoor pool, a host of saunas and the cardio room. Alongside parking, free WiFi access in all rooms, public spaces as well as in the Badehaus, the hotel also rents the welcome luxury of a bathing basket with towels, bath shoes and bathing gown. For a trip in June 2015, use the code Seehotel-06-2015 to activate the discounted rate of €268 per person. www-seehotel-kaiserstrand.at

Close to civilisation, but yet far removed from daily life, alone or as a couple, professionally or privately as a holidaymaker on Lake Constance, the Seehotel am Kaiserstrand will satisfy your demands.Treat your-

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look at the seal banks and mudflats is another popular activity. “We welcome many guests, and they often gather their whole family here, who are often spread across the globe for various reasons. They want to have a beautiful time together,”explains hotel owner Johannes J. Pabst.

Rich in tradition, the family-operated business has kept its charm and homely ambience for four generations, with 56 cosy individual rooms and suites, all designed in fresh Frisian blue and maritime themes.

Hotel Pabst 130 years of exclusive family holidays A rare gem of unspoilt nature, the car-free East Frisian island of Juist is located amidst the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Wadden Sea National Park. Offering exclusive solitude, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a fourstar superior hotel, it is the ideal location for an escape from our busy everyday lives.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: W. PFISTERER

Those who seek complete solitude will find their perfect location on Juist, where the only transport possibilities are horse-drawn carriages. Just a few steps away from the white sandy beach in the middle of Juist’s holiday life, lies Hotel Pabst. A modern country-style retreat nestled between the city centre and the dunes, it is not only a classified four-star superior hotel and member of the four-star classified Wellness Stars

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hotels, but also a classified Thalasso Hotel.

With its diverse wellness offers, the hotel induces total relaxation whatever the season. Guests can expect to enjoy the sun glistening on the waves while taking long walks along the wide beach as they feel the fine sand beneath their toes.The area is great for running, strolling through the city centre, as well as participating in other sport and leisure opportunities. A closer

At Hotel Pabst unwinding and relaxing are top priorities and what better way is there to treat one’s body, mind and soul than by taking advantage of a great wellness package?

Guests may choose from HotStone or Ayurveda massages, baths, or a wide range of cosmetic treatments. They can explore the healing power of the North Sea through regional treatments with salt, algae or North Sea mud. An extensive selection of saunas is combined with an indoor pool, granting a stunning view over the dunes. A whirlpool and dune garden are two more examples of the many intriguing features.

With head chef Ruediger Wanke responsible for the culinary pleasures, an extensive breakfast buffet and seasonal, fresh dishes are sure to impress every taste bud. After tucking into the house specialty of turbot, guests can indulge in a Sea Buckthorn Fizz at the hotel bar. www.hotelpabst.de

Main image: Aerial photograph of Juist Top: The hotel in the dunes

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Unwind in an Astrid Lindgren idyll Set in the Sternberger Lakeland national park and directly on the banks of a magnificent lake, one can find the Seehotel am Neuklostersee. Cats roam through the grass, sheep graze on the fields and a relaxing rural idyll is sure to remove any stress from everyday life.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: NALBACH ARCHITEKTEN GMBH

Berlin-based architects Johanne and Gernot Nalbach have constantly converted and extended the family-operated hotel and have achieved an architecturally pleasing design in harmony with its rustic setting.

Today, the thatched half-timbered barn and the Dutch clinker farmhouse have seen the addition of the ‘Badescheune’ with swimming pool and fireplace, the ‘Wohlfühlhaus’ offering beauty treatments, the hotel park with its own sandy beach and jetty as well as tennis courts. Alongside the cosy‘Gänsebar’ and the children’s ‘Kinderhotel’, the ‘Bootshaus’, used primarily for festivals and events, is yet another popular example of the hotel’s wide range of offerings.

“You won’t feel like you’re in a hotel, more like you’re in a cottage with friends,” explains Thomas Niederberghaus, journalist from DIE ZEIT/ZEITREISEN.The expansive views across the lake and the stunning scenery come hand in hand with great sporting facilities, extensive wellness and massage offers, a generous sauna landscape and a love for architectural details with the use of wood or straw. 26 rooms, suites and small holiday chalets provide relaxation and family holidays. An exceptional restaurant with a rich breakfast buffet, high quality local produce and freshly caught fish from the lake leave no wish unfulfilled. It’s therefore no wonder that GEO Saison called the

Seehotel am Neuklostersee one of Europe’s top 100 hotels. www.seehotel-neuklostersee.de

Relaxation, celebrations and conferences in pure nature From a classic residence of the count’s family and village school to a hotel – the Kavaliershaus Suitehotel am Finckener See is a historical gem that has been restored and extended with an exceptional love for detail by Berlin-based architects Johanne and Gernot Nalbach. They have created a classy, inviting ambience for couples, groups, families and individuals alike.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: NALBACH ARCHITEKTEN GMBH

Choose between one of the twelve modern and spacious suites with cooking facilities and maisonettes or a room for two to six people, as each one creates the perfect space for a little break from everyday life. “Every house needs to be its own world and has to be an answer to its surroundings,” says architect Johanne Nalbach. This idea is reflected in the hotel’s interior design, as it refers back to the location’s history.

The tranquil haven is located directly beside the lake in the picturesque nature of the Mecklenburg Lake District. Ideal for spending harmonious days with the whole

family, the hotel boasts almost unrivalled family friendliness – and not only because of the ‘Kinderspielhaus’, sandbox or the swings. After indulging in fresh local produce at the hotel’s restaurant, one can en-

joy the small wellness area with Finnish sauna and sauna garden, an old barn for events, a hotel park, a small bathing beach with landing stage, a wine cellar, as well as a lawn in the paradise-esque chateau park.

The hotel’s surroundings also offer various biking and hiking paths as well as golfing opportunities. With good accessibility from Berlin and Hamburg, one can quickly escape the city buzz and enjoy some idyllic days in the countryside. www.kavaliershaus-finckenersee.de

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Discover Germany | Xxx | Xxxx

Main image: Karlsruhe - shaped like a fan

Karlsruhe A summer of festivals for the city’s 300th birthday “Karlsruhe is very inexpensive, pleasant and friendly,” remarked the composer Richard Wagner to his wife Minna in a letter from 1861. His observations are ones that still draw guests to the city, whose mild climate certainly adds to its appeal. Not only does Karlsruhe rank as the warmest and sunniest city in Germany, but its residents are renowned for their friendliness and warm-hearted nature.

tude of local specialities, characterised by their high quality and use of regional produce.

TEXT & PHOTOS: KARLSRUHE TOURISMUS | TRANSLATION: EMMIE COLLINGE

In 2015 Karlsruhe is set to become a true tourist magnet. With over 500 events planned, Baden-Wurttemberg’s second biggest city will be celebrating its 300th birthday over the course of three months.

Lasting 15 weeks, the‘Festivalsommer’will kick off on 17 June, the exact same day on which the foundation stone was laid for the Palace in the Hardtwald forest, and Karlsruhe’s own history began. As the Palace was central in the founding of the city, it is also at the core of the city’s birthday celebrations. Both the opening concert as well as the grand finale on 26 September 2015 will be held there. Celebrations will span the city centre, the 27 city districts as well as the city’s museums and institutions.

For its unique image as the ‘fan-shaped city’, Karlsruhe has its founder, the Margrave Karl Wilhelm to thank, whose palace marked the centre of the city exactly 300 years ago. For those with an interest in culture, Karlsruhe has opportunities and offerings in abundance. There’s a rich tapestry of museums, including the Baden State Museum in the Palace and the State Art Gallery with its impressive collection. A visit to the ZKM | Centre for Media and Art will be a memorable one. Known as the German ‘Centre Pompidou’, the ZKM is the world’s first interactive museum that invites visitors to participate and be amazed.

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Uniting urban flair with its stunning natural landscape, Karlsruhe is a city that offers both lively shopping streets and one of Southern Germany’s largest indoor shopping centres with boundless pleasure for consumers, as well as a host of green oases just a matter of minutes away that boast space to stroll and while away the sunny days. Given the city’s proximity to the Rhine, discovering the region by boat comes highly recommended.

For fans of culinary finesse Karlsruhe is unquestionably worth exploring. The renowned Baden cuisine boasts a multi-

Countless highlights and more than 500 events over 100 days

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Above: Botanic Garden (left). The Staatliche Kunsthalle (middle). Museum's night at the ZKM (right top). Karlsruhe Castle (right above). Ettlinger Tor in the city centre (bottom)

Major regional exhibition BadenWürttemberg: Karl Wilhelm 1679-1738 (9 May – 18 October) Baden State Museum in Karlsruhe Palace Brimming with energy, attractive and charming sum him up perfectly - Karl Wilhelm of Baden-Durlach, the founder of Karlsruhe. Beginning on 9 May 2015, the major regional exhibition ‘Karl Wilhelm 1679 – 1938’paints a fascinating portrait of his dazzling personality with first-rate exhibits, some of which have never been seen in public before.

Major regional exhibition BadenWürttemberg: The master collector – Caroline Louise of Baden (30 May – 6 September) State Art Gallery Caroline Louise of Baden (1723-1783) was a masterful collector. Enterprising and multi-talented, this educated Margravine sought contacts across the entire European continent and skilfully dealt her way around the international art market to form her extensive Mahlery Cabinet, which counts more than 200 paintings. For the very first time these remarkable works from her Cabinet, which are housed in museums and private collections around the

world, will be reunited for one complete exhibition.

models and sophisticated computer visualisations.

GLOBALE (21 June 2015 – Mid April 2016) ZKM, Centre for Art and Media

The KTG Karlsruhe Tourismus GmbH has the solution for those with an interest in culture, offering one ticket that encompasses all four highlights. From 17 June until 6 September 2015 the KULTURmalVIER [the ‘Culture x 4’ ticket] allows visitors entry to these four museums over the course of two days at a price of just 21 Euros per person. This culture ticket can be obtained at any of the participating museums or from the Karlsruhe Tourist Information.

This 300-day mixed media art exhibition shows the diversity and richness that embodies contemporary art production worldwide. Skilfully compiled by curators from all corners of the globe and various cultural fields, the GLOBALE exhibition presents how art and science are gradually becoming more intertwined by the introduction of new technologies to open a new dimension for the future – a Renaissance 2.0.

www.karlsruhe-tourismus.de/en Friedrich Weinbrenner (27 June – 04 October) State Art Gallery For the City’s 300th jubilee celebrations, the State Art Gallery is hosting a fascinating exhibition on the works of Friedrich Weinbrenner (1766-1826). This famous architect and city planner, known for his style of classicism, has had an unparalleled impact on the city of Karlsruhe. Included in the exhibition are original sketches from collections in Germany and America alongside historic and current photographs, newly created

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City Special

Salzburg

Welcome to Salzburg Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Internationally renowned for its baroque architecture, the city on the river Salzbach has one of the best-preserved historic town centres north of the Alps. Offering a range of extraordinary attractions, Salzburg is full of stunning art galleries and famous museums. From splendid shopping facilities to bustling street performances, Salzburg has everything a visitor could ask for, plus an irresistible array of culinary pleasures.

TEXT: DARIA KOCHER | PHOTOS: AUSTRIA.INFO

Nowadays it is rare to find a small place with such a harmonious interaction between its landscape and architecture, art and culture, tradition and modernity, like in Salzburg. Climbing the Kapuzinerberg or Mönchsberg for stunning views of the city, strolling through the old alleyways, visiting the monasteries or simply inhaling the panorama along the river - Salzburg brings history to life, while its modernity keeps it fresh. Founded in the late 7th century, Salzburg was ruled in the 19th century by an independent Catholic archbishop. Centuries of salt trade resulted in wealth and prosperity, an income that has allowed the inhabitants to build a city rich in culture and architecture. Salzburg's flamboyant Gothic art attracted many craftsmen and

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artists before the city became even better known through the work of the Italian architectsVincenzo Scamozzi and Santini Solari, to whom the centre owes much of its Baroque appearance.

Art galleries, exhibitions and museums are in abundance. An evening at the theatre, a concert or a dance performance allows a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural landscape. Some of Salzburg’s most famous residents include musicians and composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Michael Haydn, Georg Trakl, Stefan Zweig, Arturo Toscanini and Hugo von Hofmannsthal to name but a few. They strongly influenced the city's cultural scene. Highlights of the season include the Easter and Whitsun Fes-

tival, the Dialogs at the Mozarteum, the Marionette Theater, the Jazz Festival, The Sound of Music, ballet performances, Salzburg Street Theater and romantic Palace Concerts.The entire city is a stage to be discovered, featuring cosy little cafes, beautiful beer gardens and top-notch gourmet restaurants along the way. Don’t miss out on trying the “Salzburger Nocken”, a meringue-type dessert.

Main image: Salzburg City © Österreich Werbung. Photo: Weinhaeupl W. Below: Getreidegasse in the City of Salzburg © Österreich Werbung. Photo: Diejun

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SENNS RESTAURANT Salzburg

Gusswerk

Indulge in a sensational meal to enrapture all your senses...

Begeben Sie sich auf eine Geschmackserlebnisreise der besonderen Art...

Dienstag - Samstag: 18:30 - 21:30 Salzburger Festspiele: täglich 18:30 - 24:00 Um Reservierung wird gebeten.

Tuesday - Saturday: 18:30 - 21:30 Salzburg festival: daily 18:30 - 24:00 Reservation is recommended.

Austria Ł 5020 Salzburg Ł Söllheimerstraße 16 Ł TEL +43 (0) 664 45 40 232 Ł info@senns.restaurant Ł www.senns.restaurant

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Half Moon Salzburg’s number one night-time destination Welcome to Salzburg’s oldest club and disco. For over 40 years, the Half Moon has been the city’s top location for dance, drinks and music in the historic town centre. Situated in the vaults of a former bakery, it combines a classic atmosphere with contemporary music and unique events.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN | PHOTOS: HALF MOON

“The Half Moon is often called the club for locals, people born and living in Salzburg, as it is one of the most beautiful clubs in Salzburg’s historic quarter and something of a nightly landmark,” says club manager Martin Sönmezay. The reason for that is quite simple, he continues:“In 1972 the old baking ovens were demolished in the place that was once Salzburg’s oldest bakery. The 600-year-old vaults turned into Salzburg’s first discotheque.” The iconic Half Moon club rapidly became legendary, and almost every single city resident has played a role in this.Two generations of then teenagers, now adults, grew up partying in this nightclub.

Celebrities were regulars and being let in by the bouncer was considered a privilege.

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In 2007 the club re-opened after a complete revamp, keeping the attractiveness of the old vaults while creating a state-of-the-art club atmosphere. Having celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012, many things have changed since its doors opened for the very first time – among others, the music.Today, contemporary house music and electro beats are played in the club every Saturday, while each Friday sees party-savvy people dancing the night away to a mixture of disco sounds, house, RnB and hip-hop.

While the music might have changed, some things never do:“The bouncer is still there and you have to pass him before you can reach the hotspot where the wildest

and best parties in town are celebrated,” says Martin Sönmezay. In the last eight years a younger generation have taken over the dance floors at the Half Moon, a rebirth of a destination dedicated to all those who like to burn the candle at both ends, determined not to go to bed until the sun is high in the sky. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 pm to 5am, the Half Moon has a great listing of events throughout the whole year. www.halfmoon.at

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RESTAURANT MIRABELL A wide selection of tasty wines and the love for the native cuisine will make every visit to the Restaurant Mirabell a unique experience. The restaurant pampers its guests with Austrian and international delicacies. The inviting ambiance of the restaurant and its romantic Mirabell Terrace offer unforgettable culinary moments.

Restaurant Mirabell Auerspergstrasse 4 5020 Salzburg, Austria restaurantmirabell.at facebook.com/sheratonsalzburghotel

RESTAURANT GOLDENER HIRSCH Discover authentic Austrian cuisine at its best. The Gourmet Restaurant Goldener Hirsch offers an ambiance with Salzburg charm and award-winning cuisine as well as a selection of fine local and international wines.

Restaurant Goldener Hirsch Getreidegasse 37 5020 Salzburg, Austria goldenerhirsch.com facebook.com/goldenerhirschsalzburg H

for cultural vacation family run Near the design outlet free bikes

business trip

near airport

spa

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Your hotel sightseeing sound of music in Salzburg whirlpool in the room suites

Hotel Himmelreich Half board direct bus available near city center Water beds pool Natural swimming Honeymoon

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modern rooms free Wifi Online booking

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Family HasenÜhrl and Schätzl Himmelreichstr. 34, 5071 Wals / Sbg. Tel.: +43 (0) 622 853071 info@hotel-himmelreich.at www.hotel-himmelreich.at

wonderful garden

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Main image: Brezensuppenfest. Right: Farmer's market (top). Nightshopping (below)

Spring is for festivals and flâneuring Home to Tyrol’s second-longest shopping street, countless green areas, play parks, sporting facilities and relaxing spots, as well as Tyrol’s largest water world: Wörgl, the metropolis of energy and crucial waymark on the Inn Cycle Path, is always worth a visit.

gional, diverse and fresh produce. Taste and enjoyment reign as the city centre comes alive with visitors and locals alike taking a satisfied stroll.

TEXT & PHOTOS: WÖRGL STADTMARKETING | TRANSLATION: EMMIE COLINGE

From the ground-breaking idea of Freigeld [Free Money], championed during Germany’s economically tough times after World War II, to the innumerable projects of varying sizes which are currently being undertaken in this metropolis of energy today, Wörgl has long been a progressive city.

Nestled amongst breath-taking mountainous scenery in the centre of the internationally renowned Inn Valley cycleway lies Wörgl. Take a two-wheeled detour down the shop-lined Bahnhofstraße, where exclusive and artisanal boutiques stand alongside familiar chain stores on Tyrol’s second-longest shopping street. Come summer, the many cafes and restaurants hold enduring appeal. If you’re looking to really dive into liberation, then a visit to Wave – Wörgl’s waterworld – is a must. In Tyrol’s finest concentrated sole bath, visitors reach new depths of relaxation. In the Sauna Residence of the Romans, one of the world’s biggest saunas awaits and guests are spoilt by the sauna ceremonies available. For fans of action, put your bravery to the test on the L2 – the world’s first double-looping water flume.

Spring also heralds the start of the events’ season in the city centre of Wörgl. Local

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and international exhibitors enter the scene for three days in May to showcase today’s cycling world, and cyclists and artists from around the world demonstrate just how far bikes have come. Alongside the traditional Möslalm mountain bike race and the Mountainbike Marathon, the inaugural E-bike European Championships will be held during the eldoRADo bike festival. In June and July Wörgl will enrapture visitors with its fusion of tradition and innovation: Lederhosen meets Dirndl at the opening procession of the Breznsuppnfest [Pretzel Soup Festival] on 21 June, as the longest pretzel in Tyrol is marched into the city centre. While the CoverMe Festival on 27 June turns the city rock’n’roll, 11 July marks the highlight of the spring and summer events calendar with the 33rd Wörgler Stadtfest [City Festival]. Every Saturday, the farmers’market, whose appeal has long spread far beyond the city limits, is worth visiting for anyone who appreciates re-

www.energiemetropole.at.

Don’t miss the best Wörgl events of the warmer months: 8 May

Night shopping

8 -10 May

eldoRADo bike festival. Art in public spaces with 20 years ARTirol

23 - 24 May Mini-Weekend 21 June

Breznsuppnfest (Pretzel Soup Festival)

27 June

CoverMe Festival

11 July

33. Wörgler Stadtfest (33rd Wörgl City Festival)

18 - 21 July Inline European Championships

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Discover Germany | Residenz Alexado | Tyrol

A touch of Alice in Wonderland In the midst of Austria's Tyrol lies the exclusive Residenz Alexado, a boutique luxury hotel with exceptional architecture, a peaceful atmosphere and an unusual range of offers. Four interestingly decorated, elegant and romantic double rooms and one deluxe suite are sure to excite any relaxation seeker.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: TOMASZ ZAJAC

P

Residenz Alexado puts special emphasis on fulfilling individual wishes. The offers range from bespoke nutritional plans, an anti-aging beauty spa with holistic medical checks and a cosy Finnish sauna with outdoor dipping pond, detox programs, vitamin therapy, as well as shuttles to hiking paths or the golf course.

The in-house Beauty Farm offers a wide range of health and beauty treatments led by a medical doctor. Non-surgical facelifts, hormone regulation and collagen regulation with stem cells are just some highlights of the services. Discrete yet welcoming, clients who need to shine in the public eye will find a great retreat here while en-

joying the proximity to nature and combining the treatments with hiking, skiing and golfing.

Residenz Alexado was built in accordance with the laws of Feng Shui, blended with green technologies. The architecture and design with natural materials are in harmony with each other and enhance one’s wellbeing. "We want you to feel pampered, relaxed and leave recharged to go on with your life quest when you leave,” says the owner. Considered an insider tip by celebrities and high-paced CEOs, it's all about bringing out the best in you at the palais ambience of Hotel Residenz Alexado. www.alexado.at

Above: Residenz Alexado and its garden (left). Dining room (right)

The best you, you can be.

It’s all about who you are, what you have to offer, and what makes you unique.

Let’s find it out.

www.markuspuettmann.de 20 min. apart Frankfurt Main Airport

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Attraction of the Month Switzerland

The Aare Gorge Meiringen’s natural wonder Experience the beauty and primeval nature of water up-close at this fascinating site in Switzerland, the water castle of Europe. Having eroded its way to create the Aare Gorge, let the river Aare enrapture you on a visit to the Hasli Valley.

the road from the Grimsel and Susten pass, just 1km west of Innertkirchen, with good opportunities for drop-offs and pick-ups.

TEXT: AARESCHLUCHT [AARE GORGE] | PHOTOS: DAVID BIRRI | TRANSLATION: EMMIE COLLINGE

At home in the Hasli Valley

With its source in the Grimsel region, the Aare winds its way through the wild mountainous HasliValley. Over the course of millennia, it carved its route through the rocks of the flat valley bottom between Meiringen and Innert-kirchen. What exists now is a 1.4 kilometre gorge, up to 200 metres deep.

This natural wonder can be explored effortlessly along hiking paths and through tunnels. Open daily from spring until later in the year, it is an appealing desti-nation whatever the weather, as it presents an ever-changing atmosphere depending on the conditions.

The Aare Gorge: a worthwhile visit for everyone The gorge hike takes approximately 40 minutes, and while a round-circuit is possible, another viable alternative to take the train in one direction from Meiringen or In-

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nertkirchen. Starting from the western entrance, the natural wonder is wheelchairaccessible for the first two-thirds.

Spoil your palate Located at the western entrance, the Aareschlucht Restaurant has a cosy terrace and large play area. Proud of its richly diverse cuisine, the kitchen dishes up countless regional specialities. At the eastern entrance, the Aarebis-tro serves light snacks.

The best way to arrive Meiringen is easily reached on public transport from Interlaken and Luzern. The Aare Gorge is reachable in 30 minutes on foot or take a short train ride there on the Meiringen-Innertkirchen train. For tour buses, there is a large park-ing area at the western entrance and groups of 10 or more benefit from the group tariff. The eastern entrance is on

Mysterious nature and tales of mystery are woven into the Hasli Valley so why not combine a visit to the Aare Gorge with a trip to the famous Reichenbach Falls and funicular or the open-air Ballenberg museum? A video on the Aare Gorge homepage gives a real taste of this spectacular landscape.

A mystical adventure Open daily (8:30-17:30) from early spring until late October, the Aare Gorge also offers exclusive evening visits this summer (17:30 to 22:00, Thursday - Saturday) from the west entrance. www.aareschlucht.ch

For definite opening times, dates and prices, please check the website.

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Special Theme

The Beauty of Golf

A beautiful game To many, golf is nothing more than a pensioner’s pastime; they do not consider it as a sport nor have any idea how extremely challenging it can be. But let me just say, these people couldn’t be more wrong. Golf is nerve-wracking, golf is exhausting and it is a constant battle against oneself. However, it does come with certain benefits – think stunning natural surroundings, splendid clubhouses and a good deal of real social networking.

TEXT: TINA AWTANI | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES

As a game that originated in Scotland, it most probably began as a pastime for shepherds, choosing to use their sticks to hit some stones across the raw landscape. In 1457, the sport was declared illegal, as it was considered a distraction for young men from their military training, and it wasn’t until almost half a century later that keen golfer King James IV lifted the ban.The oldest and most iconic golf club in the world is St Andrews Links, where keen players have been hitting the ball for 600 years. Often

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dubbed ‘the home of golf’, it is considered the one and only course that a real golfer has to play at least once in his or her life.

While golf was rather elitist during the past centuries and strictly limited to the upper classes, today it has become a widely accessible sport. Over 700 golf courses are spread across Germany alone, counting almost 640,000 members in 2014. Switzerland features almost 100 courses and Austria is home to just over 150. A golf course

consists of 18 fairways, each starting at the tee and finishing on the putting green, where the ball needs to be navigated into the hole. Every stroke with the golf club counts. Each fairway is given a stroke allowance, a so-called par, usually between three and five. A good golfer like Martin Kaymer would not need more; in fact, his average is about 6 points below par to complete a course, while a struggling beginner could easily count up to 15 strokes on a par three hole. A player’s level is defined by his handicap. Many clubs require a handicap of 28, meaning a capability of being able to play a course within 28 strokes above par.

This needs to be proven in the form of a card produced by one’s home club.

As easy as it sounds, a handicap of 28 is quite a challenge for a novice to the sport.

It takes months, sometimes years, of train-

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Discover Germany | Special Theme | The Beauty of Golf

ing with a qualified pro (teacher) and a lot of perseverance. Hitting the tiny white ball is harder than it looks; often the surrounding grass takes off from the ground instead.

So it feels all the better when a shot goes perfectly well. Mastering golf is tough; balls get lost in sand bunkers, roughs, water hazards and even out of bounds. One may have played perfectly well until hole number 17 and then all of a sudden the score goes down, or you’re about to play the game of your life and the ball simply disappears into the woods. Full concentration is required, as golf mainly takes place ‘between the ears’. The moment the mind drifts, so does the golf ball.

An average golf course has the length of about 6 kilometres, but beginners tend to walk twice the distance due to unintentionally playing off-course. It’s hot in summer, freezing in winter and sometimes it just pours with rain. There is no bad weather for golfers, just the wrong clothing. Pulling along a heavy 30lb trolley with

a golf bag containing 14 clubs, balls and further equipment, does not make things easier.

But believe me when I say that there is nothing more rewarding than successfully challenging your own capabilities time and time again. Intrigued? Starting is easy. Just pay a visit to a local club and take a taster session. Pros by nature are really friendly and happy to help you with any queries.

Oh, and when you see the older lads playing next time, take a closer look, as their game is pretty perfect due to decades of training!

Main image: St Andrews in Scotland - The Home of Golf, where the Open Championship 2015 will take place 16 - 19 July 2015. © St Andrews Links Trust Right from top: © Golf & Country Club Fleesensee Golfing near Going (Tyrol). © Österreich Werbung.

Photo: Niederstrasser © Österreich Werbung. Photo: Himsl © Bayerisches Staatsbad Bad Kissingen GmbH

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The best green above the prettiest blue The family-friendly Golfclub am Attersee not only impresses with its magnificent lakeside setting and Höllen mountain range scenery, the 18-hole golf course offers the finest personal and individual support. With breath-taking views across the lake Attersee, it’s ideally located for touristic excursions too.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: GCA GOLFCLUB AM ATTERSEE

Since opening in 2011 on the shores of one of Austria’s most beautiful lakes, the Golfclub am Attersee has rapidly developed into a centre of attraction and insider tip amongst many golf enthusiasts. The remarkable location is home to a driving range, extensive training area and 18 varied doglegs – classic In and Out routing – which pose as a challenge while offering a delightful and unforgettable golf experience for all abilities.“We aim for our guests to be holistically satisfied and to leave with a desire to return,” says Andreas Hagara, managing director. The holistic concept includes a wide variety of tourism-related offers to suit every guest, whether one wants to indulge in culinary delights in one of the many nearby restaurants, experience cultural events, or visit cities such as Munich or

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Vienna (2-hour drive) or Salzburg (30minute drive).

Small changes – big impact: this is the motto of the golf club’s 2015 season.To satisfy the wishes and demands of the players, as well as to sensibly implement reactions and experiences from the game operations, small changes are planned for this year. For example, Tee 14 will be brought forward so that the tee shot becomes easier and that a 140-metre stroke across the biotope is no longer necessary. The drive landing zones will also be expanded onto tracks three and five and numerous simplifying measures through changes of cutting patterns are also planned. These adjustments seek to contribute to the continuous improvement of the golf course and create increased golf-

ing pleasure through the overall facilitation of golfing.“We are very family-friendly and thoroughly support the sport’s youth work. We believe that golf is one of the few sports that whole families can play together.

Even people with different playing abilities and skills can play together too,”Andreas Hagara explains. Visitors planning a golf vacation here will certainly be greeted by a friendly, competent and experienced team that aspires to leave no wish unfulfilled. www.golfamattersee.at

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Discover Germany | Special Theme | The Beauty of Golf

20 years of Golfpark Schloss Wilkendorf The golf club on Berlin’s doorstep This year marks a significant anniversary for the Golfpark Schloss Wilkendorf, which is situated about 45 kilometres east of Berlin’s city centre, as it heralds 20 years since the popular Sandy Lyle course and subsequent golf park were founded.

TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES

May 27, 1995: Bernd Hauck, the then president of the golf club that was later renamed Golfpark Schloss Wilkendorf, opened the Sandy Lyle championship course with the traditional golden golf ball. Sandy Lyle, born in England in 1958 but playing for the Scottish team, had been the first Brit to win the prestigious master golf tournament in Augusta, USA, earning him the Green Jacket.

He is one of the“Big Five”, a group of worldclass golfers all born around the same time, who made European golfers competitive in the Ryder Cup.The golf course in Wilkendorf was named after this famous golfer – and not by chance either: Sandy Lyle was involved in the development of the course designed by Scotsman Ross McMurray.

But they weren’t the only Scots involved in shaping the Golfpark Schloss Wilkendorf, as today’s head greenkeeper Gordon Smith has his origins there as well. After being involved in conceptualising and building the green, he was then persuaded to stay.Today, the Sandy Lyle course is one of the most famous in Berlin and Brandenburg. In 2010 it was even nominated the sixth best golf course in all of Germany.

Seasonal cuisine with a view over the Sandy Lyle golf course To take the Scottish connection even further, the Golfpark Schloss Wilkendorf decided to rename their only public café and restaurant in 2014 and it is now proudly

called“Zum wilden Schotten”or“The wild Scotsman”. Sitting here offers a splendid view on the 18-hole Sandy Lyle championship course. The kitchen style, described by the head chef and staff as‘sophisticated but not aloof,’ presents an array of appetizing German cuisine, spiced with an international touch. The dishes vary according to the seasons; in spring, for example, the restaurant traditionally serves asparagus dishes.

Celebrating the anniversary From 25 to 31 May the Golfpark Schloss Wilkendorf celebrates its anniversary for a full week, with a big golf tournament taking place on the 30th of May followed by evening celebrations. On the following Sunday the club will open its doors to the public. www.resort-schloss-wilkendorf.com

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Discover Germany | Business | Solicitor Column

Sporting Chance

Dispute resolution in a day TEXT & PHOTO: GREGOR KLEINKNECHT

Yes, you read that heading correctly. Most lawyers would regard the prospect of resolving a dispute within a day of it arising as entirely delusional but this is not that unusual – in sports law. If the right of an athlete to compete in the Olympic Games is challenged, that dispute needs to be resolved before the next round of the competition, not months after the Olympics have ended and the tracks are long since deserted. So how are sporting disputes resolved, in sports as diverse as athletics, Formula 1 racing and football? And how can the procedure be so quick?

The answer is simple: arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. All sports are governed in some form or other by regulations, whether at national or international level. And these regulations will usually require athletes, teams and governing bodies to agree to submit their disputes to arbitration. Likewise, sports related contracts will usually contain such a written arbitration clause. Sports arbitration has the advantage that it delivers quick, cost effective and binding decisions through an independent panel of typically either one or three experts in a private dispute resolution process.

Take an example: pursuant to the Olympic charter, all disputes in connection with the Olympic Games must be submitted to the Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS) with its permanent seat in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Ad hoc divisions of CAS are set up in current Olympic host cities. CAS deals with around 400 new cases every year. These cases can range from commercial disputes

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about sponsorship contracts to disciplinary challenges in doping cases. All Olympic International Federations have recognised the jurisdiction of CAS for at least some disputes. Likewise, all signatories to the 2009 World Anti-doping Code (including the Olympic International Federations and National Olympic Committees) have recognised the jurisdiction of CAS for anti-doping rule violations. Decisions of CAS can be appealed to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

Very occasionally, this system breaks down: such as when (in simplified terms) German speed skater Claudia Pechstein exhausted the procedures before CAS, lost a subsequent appeal to the Swiss Federal Court, but then nevertheless proceeded to make a further application to the German national courts that rendered a decision which was arguably not only incompatible with the prior decisions rendered by CAS and by the Swiss courts but also contrary to the rules to which Ms Pechstein had submitted as an athlete.

In Formula 1, FIA and the racing teams established a similar dispute resolution system, requiring arbitration before a body known as the Contract Recognition Board.

In football, the FIFA laws and regulations establish the Players' Status Committee and the Dispute Resolution Chamber to adjudicate on disputes. Decisions of these FIFA bodies may be appealed to CAS. In the UK, Sports Resolutions provides sportsspecific arbitration and mediation services and operates the National Anti-Doping Panel.

The good news for all those amongst us who are not professional athletes, is that arbitration and mediation are also available for ordinary day-to-day civil and commercial disputes through a wide range of service providers. Give it a try and save yourself a lot of time and money.

Gregor Kleinknecht LLM MCIArb is a German Rechtsanwalt and English solicitor, and a partner at Hunters Solicitors, a leading law firm in Lincoln’s Inn. Hunters Solicitors, 9 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A 3QN, E-mail: gjk@hunters-solicitors.co.uk www.hunters-solicitors.co.uk

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Your Shortcut to Scandinavia Bergen

NORWAY

Oslo Stockholm Bromma

SWEDEN Aalborg

Gothenburg

Aarhus

UNITED KINGDOM

DENMARK Billund

Manchester

London City

GERMANY Brussels

D端sseldorf

BELGIUM

SWITZERLAND

Munich

Z端rich

S n acks

Me als

Drinks

ba.com

Pap ers

Lounges

Smiles

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International education at its best Preserving values, taking responsibility, and shaping the future are the key concerns of the international school Louisenlund, the only boarding school in Northern Germany. Set amidst beautiful surroundings, Louisenlund offers a thoroughly international character and education of the highest quality. Located on the Schlei, a narrow inlet of the Baltic Sea, the school is committed to forming open-minded, committed and responsible citizens.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: SVEN MEIER / MEDIENGILDE LOUISENLUND

After WWII, everything was in short supply—including hope for a better future for young people. This was the reason why Friedrich Duke of Schleswig-Holstein decided to establish the charitable Stiftung Louisenlund in 1949. The reformist educator Kurt Hahn was involved in the school’s foundation and based Stiftung Louisenlund’s principles on the experiences of the war:“Give the children the opportunity to discover themselves. Practice imagination.”

Today, Stiftung Louisenlund has evolved

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into one of Germany’s largest and most renowned boarding schools with partner schools on six continents.

“We seek to develop personalities and promote talents. Action-oriented learning and experiential work enable teaching aims and educational objectives to be challenged and shaped. Thereby students actively acquire and develop knowledge. Self-organised and self-effective learning form the foundation for this,”Sven Meier, Head of Com-

munications, explains.“At Louisenlund we are not only aiming for high academic performance and profound knowledge in our students; the sense of community, companionship and consideration for others as well as a readiness to adopt responsibility are of particular importance to our students,” Meier adds.

Since its foundation, Stiftung Louisenlund has stood for exceptional, first-rate education. Offering the possibility to choose between the German Abitur and the International Baccalaureate (IB), 356 pupils, including 52 from abroad, currently attend the half-day primary school, the full-day ‘Gymnasium’or board at Stiftung Louisenlund’s high quality boarding school, which has a relaxed and homely ambience.

“Louisenlund offers the English-language IB, as well as the German Abitur. Because of

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Discover Germany | International School of the Month | Germany

Russian), which enables students to learn through total immersion in each language.

Another significant highlight is the exceptionally good relationship between students and staff that stems from the small learning groups. “Particular talents and weaknesses can be specifically fostered through this,”says Meier.

International School of the Month Germany

the large number of Anglophonic teachers and the Round Square network, Louisenlund enjoys a good reputation worldwide.

The standard is very high and the graduation grades are very good at the same time,” Meier explains. The IB Diploma is an academic qualification, which enables students to study all over the world upon successful completion. Stiftung Louisenlund has many native speakers teaching their own language (Spanish, English, Chinese and

Located in one of the most beautiful areas of Schleswig-Holstein, Stiftung Louisenlund has a lot more to offer than just an exceptional approach to academia. Housed in a large white castle, it is surrounded by extensive green spaces, rivers and lakes.

With the sea nearby, it is no wonder that sailing is a particularly important part of the school’s extracurricular activities. Other optional or mandatory offers include music, politics, rugby, the student body’s own student business (LundAG), fashion and design, park archaeology, senior care, debating society, tennis, pottery making and hockey.

Learn, achieve, live For almost 50 years Stiftung Louisenlund has been part of Round Square, a worldwide partnership of private schools with similar pedagogical principles. As proud organisers of the Round Square International Conference in 2016, Louisenlund has the opportunity to showcase its remarkably international character. The affiliation to the network enables a wide range of intercultural possibilities and international encounters through exchanges or worldwide participation in numerous projects and conferences. Through such events, Round Square’s – and therefore also Stiftung Louisenlund’s – pedagogic IDEALS can be experienced by the students. These consist of Internationalism (worldwide non-bureaucratic students’ex-

change between partner schools), Democracy (increase and confirmation of democratic values through enhanced student responsibilities), Environment (environment and future as part of the educational focus), Adventure (promotion of personal development), Leadership (creating personal qualities through responsibility, positive awareness, fairness and justice) and Service (assuming responsibility in society in which real projects are planned and realised).

The bilingual nature of the school is an important requirement for these global activities and the associated holistic and international educational approach to foster open-minded competences.“Through the numerous encounters, students experience what internationalism in everyday life means from very early on,” Catherine Donovan, Round Square representative of Stiftung Louisenlund, says.

According to Marie-Alix Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein, honorary member of Stiftung Louisenlund’s board of trustees, “the aspiration of Stiftung Louisenlund is to understand the world of today and to help shape the future with new ideas responsibly”. Besides the educational possibilities and the broad range of extracurricular activities, everyday life at the boarding school is a time to remember for other reasons: international projects, the linguistic diversity on the campus and above all, the exceptional team spirit of Louisenlund’s community. www.louisenlund.de Main image: Louisenlund Castle Below: Castle grounds with Schlei (left & middle) Sundial (right)

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Top Boarding Schools

Stiftung Theresianum Ingenbohl Promoting women’s self-confidence The Stiftung Theresianum Ingenbohl is a private boarding school for young women from 12 to 19 seeking to foster their self-confidence, independence, social competence and self-awareness. With a special focus on developing a culture of encounter, the school in Switzerland’s Brunnen aims to fulfil the needs of girls through its special take on education.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: THERESIANUM INGENBOHL

“Our ultimate aim is to fully develop each student’s potential in every possible area: intellectual, physical, social, moral and spiritual. We value enthusiasm, hard work, persistence and resilience and firmly believe there is always ‘more in you than you think’,”begins Clemens Gehrig, headmaster of Stiftung Theresianum Ingenbohl.

Established in 1860, the Theresianum Ingenbohl is situated in a beautiful historic monastery and has since developed into one of Switzerland’s top schools for girls af-

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ter several decades of expanding the facilities and educational offers. Today, the school is a Christian institute open for students from all confessions.“Our Christian principles mean that we seek to build a culture of encounter, and that we encourage openness, tolerance and respect for our fellow people and the environment,” Clemens Gehrig says.

Stiftung Theresianum Ingenbohl’s elevated location offers a magnificent view over the surrounding forests, Alpine peaks and Lake

Lucerne. The stunning natural scenery, together with its close proximity to Brunnen’s train station and village centre, render it the optimal starting point for excursions, various activities and numerous sporting options. Offering a high-quality boarding school, a secondary school, the more vocational ‘Fachmittelschule’ and an academically orientated, bilingual English-German

Portrait: Clemens Gehrig, Headmaster.

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able to work in a team, the Theresianum Ingenbohl not only sets high performance requirements but also evaluates personal and social competences. In order to establish an enjoyable learning ambience, the school integrated a subject called ‘wellbeing’, in which students gain the skills for a life of enjoyment, self-efficiency, personal effectiveness, flow and mindfulness. Based on the concept of ‘Schulfach Glück’ by Dr. Ernst Fritz-Schubert (Heidelberg), the Theresianum is the first school in Switzerland to aim for such a holistic education of their students.

Boarding at Theresianum

‘Gymnasium’, the education of girls is the schools’main focus, although the‘Fachmittelschule‘ also takes on around 30 boys.

The overall number of students is approximately 410 individuals. “Studies and statistics show that young women from gender-segregated schools enter the job market with more self-confidence. In addition, they choose from a broader spectrum of vocational routes than their colleagues from mixed-gender schools. Women have a different way of learning, they feel more comfortable and perform better when they are among themselves,“ Clemens Gehrig explains.

Creating practical and pedagogical preconditions for a successful graduation, Theresianum Ingenbohl‘s boarding school offers individual support from qualified staff. Active and supervised learning and recreational activities and a structured daily routine go hand in hand with a holistic assistance approach towards students. A generous leisure area with numerous recreational opportunities, such as an indoor swimming pool, outdoor facilities, sports hall, fitness room and the idyllic country setting complete with forests, lakes and mountains can be explored. Students interested in music can take lessons at Brunnen’s Music School. Various sport facilities are right on their doorstep in Brunnen and Schwyz.

“Ensuring participation in community life and the individual progress of our stu-

dents are key aspects of our tasks,” Clemens Gehrig explains. “The younger students get introduced to the boarding school life and are led to independence.

The higher grades lead more independent lives and, while guided and overseen by their housemistresses, are expected to find their own balance between study, personal leisure time and organised activities,” he adds. The communal life in the boarding school positively contributes to the development of the young women. Offering 50 single or 35 twin rooms with Wi-Fi, the Theresianum Ingenbohl maintains a congenial ambience and puts a special emphasis on relationship building, reliable agreements and a happy and beneficial living and learning atmosphere. The modern and homely rooms with wardrobe, wash basin, desk and shelf spaces offer the students retreat for individual development. Numerous communal spaces are there for making new friends, for playing, relaxing or debating.“We strongly emphasize communication with parents to best develop their daughter’s progress,“ Clemens Gehrig says. Theresianum Ingenbohl stands for constant quality development and advancement of standards.

Students are sure to find a homely atmosphere and high-quality teaching here, which will help them to achieve their personal future goals. “We look forward to welcoming you on a personal tour of our campus,”Clemens Gehrig concludes. www.theresianum.ch

Excellent educational offers are combined with an exceptional and relaxed living and learning atmosphere around the campus.

Seeking to encourage their students to become independent, creative, proactive and

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Discover Germany | Top Boarding Schools | Switzerland

Abbey school since 1120 A Christian day and boarding school, Stiftsschule Engelberg has operated under the trusteeship of the Benedictine monastery since 1120. Besides offering exceptional education, the school’s location in Switzerland’s renowned mountain resort of Engelberg offers a wide range of leisure activities and magnificent natural beauty.

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Above: The boarding school’s reception.

Photo: Roger Landolt (top) Concert of the ‘Stiftschor‘.

Photo: Markus L’Hoste (middle) Photo: Roger Landolt (right)

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES

Nestled in the middle of unspoilt Alpine scenery near Lucerne, the Stiftsschule Engelberg offers a wide range of sport and leisure activities, such as hiking, skiing or golfing. However, it isn’t just the spectacular surroundings that draw students to this school. The boarding school itself is a prime example of historic architecture, as the white monastery building boast impressive stucco decorations and its homely atmosphere is contained within numerous single rooms for boarders with modern facilities. An excellent infrastructure for sports include sports halls, a climbing wall, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness room, sports grounds and a tennis court. Drama courses in a dedicated theatre hall, music and vocal ensembles, as well as musical instrument lessons are also on offer.

Just as the Benedictine monasteries coined education and culture in Europe, Stiftss-

Main image: Markus L‘Hoste

chule Engelberg is constantly developing its educational programme so that students are prepared to actively take part in shaping the development of this world. Offering an exceptional education, students attain the dual qualification of a bilingual (German and English) Swiss Matura as well as the globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB).

“As a small school (130 students, 60 boarders) we are able to individually support our students. A clear daily structure with a good rhythm of fixed work and leisure time gives freedom in which students can do their best. The school’s pastoral care supports and helps students, as well as teachers, with personal questions or decisions. Furthermore, we put special emphasis on collective celebrations and culture,” explains Pater

Guido Muff, member of the school pastoral team.“We are committed to the Christian-humanistic anthropology and consider ourselves a temporary learning and living community. We believe that education and upbringing form a whole, which is more than a mere qualification,“ he adds. Stiftsschule Engelberg encourages students to develop into self-confident, socially competent, value-orientated and independent personalities.“They are expected to learn to constructively deal with their weaknesses and use their strengths and skills for the good of the community,“ Pater Guido Muff says. A glance at the boarding school’s alumni page is proof that the school fosters individual talents while leading students to a successful future. www.stiftsschule-engelberg.ch

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Schloß Wittgenstein Boarding School Because an education is for life At the Institut Schloß Wittgenstein Boarding School, situated in the grounds of the picturesque castle Wittgenstein and set high above the central German town of Bad Laasphe, children are prepared for both their professional futures and their own personal lives in a multinational society built on moral values.

The indoor riding arena and the paddock give students the possibility to bring their own horses, plus children can play golf in the nearby club and go skiing in winter.”

TEXT: JULIKA HÜTHER | PHOTOS: INSTITUT SCHLOSS WITTGENSTEIN JOSEF KÄMMERLING GMBH&CO KG

The students’independence is encouraged through individual projects organised by themselves. They can learn to cook healthy meals in the kitchen and take part in various weekend activities such as going to see musicals, playing football or paragliding.

“We are being taught to live independently by being allowed to plan certain events on our own,” says student Jintae K. What makes a big difference is the familial atmosphere created by the small groups and their dedicated guardians. “Wittgenstein has become my second home and is part of my life,” explains student Cassandra K. More than just a boarding school, Wittgenstein is a place where young people can grow into happy, responsible adults.

“At our boarding school, traditions are held high, but innovations are embraced too,” says Gordon Kämmerling, CEO of the boarding school and the two integrated schools housed within the same grounds.

This is reflected in the high academic standards at both the Realschule [secondary school] and the Gymnasium [academic-focused secondary school]. The teachers maintain a close relationship with the boarding school staff and aim to unite education and the personal development of their students as much as possible. With small classes of up to 25 pupils, the focus on supporting individual students and having bilingual classes is just a small part of what sets these schools apart from other educa-

tional institutions. Other offers include vocational preparation, a partnership with businesses including internships, language holidays, exchange programmes with Israel, France and England as well as participation in language, maths and geography competitions.The schools present state-ofthe-art equipment, including a dedicated information technology room, a PC pool, so-called ‘active boards’, which are electronic blackboards, Wi-Fi in the entire boarding school and high speed DSL.“Our campus offers many possibilities,”continues Kämmerling.“In terms of leisure time, this includes a gymnasium, a sports ground with additional activities such as tennis, climbing lessons, pole walking, martial arts and more.

www.wittgenstein.de

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Main image: Students can also learn in the park-like gardens.

Right from top: Art is one of the schools’ main focal points.

Numerous leisure activities also include a sailing club.

Professional golf classes.

The individual route to success As one of Europe’s biggest, church-based private schools with boarding facilities, it is the character and the educational approach of Königsfeld’s Zinzendorfschulen that sets them apart. Combining nine school types under one roof, the school focuses on intensive cooperation, social commitment, team spirit and the fostering of individual strengths.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: ZINZENDORFSCHULEN

“We offer the correct educational path to suit an individual’s current situation. There are no dead ends,” says headmaster Johannes Treude. Freedom to choose between the individual types of schools means that everyone can achieve their ideal qualification. Their broad spectrum of general academic and vocational qualifications ranges from ‘Abitur’, ‘Mittlere Reife’ or ‘Hauptschulabschluss’[school leaving certificate] to training courses in the technical college for social education and social services. Boarders study in a learning campus with specialist teachers as constant contact persons. “This enables individual, structured and therefore successful learning,” Johannes Treude expands. Personal and social education and development comes in the shape of the various creative subjects,

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which include art, natural sciences, languages, economy and education.

Even though the school types are different, all the students are considered part of one community. Intensive cooperation with the teachers creates an atmosphere in which students can maximise their full potential.

Extracurricular activities and school events aren’t limited to students from specific schools, but are open to everyone. Putting a special emphasis on mutual respect, the students help each other and learn to cooperate. Students from senior classes are rewarded for teaching pupils from the elementary level and prospective educators can organise recreational programmes for fifth-graders, to name just one example. A wide range of extracurricular activities in-

cludes basketball, sailing, horse-riding, bread baking, golf, drama and music lessons. The attractive campus grounds with sprawling parkland are ideal for recreation.

Various school and boarding buildings are a mix of listed architecture and modern facilities. A well considered, state-of-the-art media library and active boards in the classrooms facilitate learning.

“We want our students to become self-confident, independent, tolerant, compassionate, open-minded, eager and motivated humans,” Johannes Treude explains. These characteristics are further developed from the fifth grade onwards when every student has the chance to sing in the choir or play in the orchestra. Being part of the theatre supports the personal development. Independent learning is systematically practiced from the elementary level. After all, the Zinzendorfschulen follow the important principle of its eponym Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf:“One shouldn’t make copies out of children, but rather let nature take its course.” www.zinzendorfschulen.de

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Discover Germany | Culture | Barbara Geier

With a snap of my fingers…

Imagine if you could zip all over a country, irrespective of distance or time. Basically, just zooming yourself from one place to the next without having to bother with transport, catching trains, sitting in a car for hours and figuring out how to get from A to B or how long it might take. In essence, you’d only have to snap your fingers, and bang, you’d be there. If that was possible, here’s my list of places I’d cover in Germany on an unhurried summer’s day.

Bliss. Oh yes, unspoilt nature, cool rooftop bars, delicious wines and food, elegant parks and first class Italian ice-cream. It’s all in a day in Germany. As long as you get this instant-movement-via-finger-snappingthing sorted ….

TEXT: BARBARA GEIER

First up would be the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte – in English: the Mecklenburg Lakeland and a kind of German Lake District, in the country’s Northeast. I’ve never been and I’ve heard so many good things about it; I’m imagining idyllic lakes, boating, swimming, unspoilt nature, a feeling of being a bit out of time, all very peaceful and relaxing. Actually, I’m expecting to be overwhelmed because it is the largest coherent lake and canal region in Germany and also known as“the land of a thousand lakes”, and it even includes the Müritz, which is Germany’s largest lake. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Then, with a snap of my fingers, I’d be in Berlin —or rather, more precisely, sitting on a cool rooftop bar in Berlin with an Aperol Spritz or some similar concoction in my hand. Because, after all this nature, I’ll obviously need a bit of urban input, while at the same time not having to stress myself out too much. Hence, the rooftop bar. Plus the aperitif. I’d then need to eat, obviously, and would, just like that, be sitting al fresco in the very atmospheric surroundings of an old wine growing estate on the German Wine Route in the country’s far west, en-

joying fabulous food on a vineyard, eating just the right mix of regional dishes. One could have another Aperol Spritz there. Just saying.

I would then want to go for a nice walk, and I’d do that in Weimar’s beautiful Park on the Ilm River. It’s about 230 miles away, but, hey, no worries. It’s all in the snap of the fingers. I’d saunter along under the beautiful old trees, look across the wide meadows and stop at Goethe’s Garden House, a former vineyard cottage and the first Weimar home acquired by good old Johann Wolfgang in 1776.The purchase was financed by Duke Carl August of Saxe-WeimarEisenach (here’s a name!). Always pays to have mentors with big pockets. (Mental note: Find one, soon, in order to get on the London property ladder.) I would also spend a lot of time just sitting and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of this enchanting park. It really is a very splendid place.

And then, and then, oh yes, then I’d do the most important thing of the day: I’d go to a gelateria right in the middle of Munich in the south of the country, and get a huge portion of unbelievably delicious ice cream.

Barbara Geier is a London-based freelance writer, translator and communications consultant. She is also the face behind ww.germanyiswunderbar.com, a German travel and tourism guide and blog that was set up together with UK travel writer Andrew Eames in 2010.

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An alliance with a heart for tax For many people, tax affairs are a dreaded necessary evil, and mail from the tax office often puts a dampener on your day. But could one really love matters of tax?

There’s a German-Austrian alliance of tax attorneys and advisors who are proving that it is possible: you can love tax. And be successful at it too.

TEXT: EMMIE COLLINGE | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES

Since 2010 the German firm of Flick Gocke Schaumburg and the Austrian tax and auditing consultancy LeitnerLeitner have formed an exclusive alliance with the objective of advising corporate groups, familyowned businesses and wealthy individuals from both countries on cross-border tax matters. Typical joint ventures include the relocation of headquarters or the founding of a subsidiary company, moving abroad and the development and implementation of transfer pricing systems. ”Although law is becoming more and more internationalized and more requirements are becoming

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unified, particularly within the EU, tax law still largely remains the domain of individual countries,” says Jens Schönfeld, partner at Flick Gocke Schaumburg. “This means that local experts are required with a deep understanding of the tax law,” continues Gerald Gahleitner, partner at LeitnerLeitner.

It’s evident that the same holds for Flick Gocke Schaumburg as it does for LeitnerLeitner: As so-called ‘top tier’ firms, both are traditionally ranked amongst the leading tax-focused companies in Germany and Austria. But it isn’t just in these relevant rankings of the best legal and tax consulting companies where they both feature at the fore; they’re both highly prominent

Portraits: Jens Schönfeld (left) & Gerald Gahleitner (right)

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Discover Germany | Business | LeitnerLeitner

ternational companies on German legal matters.”

While Flick Gocke Schaumburg’s physical presence is still largely concentrated on German-speaking countries, LeitnerLeitner, with around 650 members of staff, have a long history outside of Austria in countless Central and Eastern European countries. As Gerald Gahleitner explains: “We secure the efficient care of our clients in these markets by having our own offices in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Moreover, we have close links to selected partners in Romania, Bulgaria and Poland.”

“For many German companies, Vienna is the gateway for their activities in Central and Eastern European countries,”expands Schönfeld. “Given the common language there’s a sense of proximity to your domestic market, but at the same time close to subjects that concern Eastern European companies.”

with countless special publications, lectures and engagements at universities. “Almost half of our tax partners also hold lectures at universities,” explains Jens Schönfeld. The professor meets practice – and this profits the clients too.

Founded in 1971 as a small tax-centred office in Bonn, Flick Gocke Schaumburg now counts almost 500 members of staff at its four offices in Germany as well as its Zurich office. The addition of Hamburg in summer 2015 will bring the total to six.

“We’re ensuring that all the important economic regions are covered for our clients,” emphasises Schönfeld. “At the same time, we’re very active on the global scene from within Germany, whether that’s guiding joint cross-border transactions alongside other firms, as is the case with LeitnerLeitner, or we’re advising in-

For Jens Schönfeld, the alliance with LeitnerLeitner is a piece of luck.“If our clients consult us with a complicated tax question relating to Austria or an Eastern European country, we’re now in a position to react quickly, without undue red tape. From the many joint ventures we’ve got to know each other and you can rest assured that your own clients are in good hands.”

“Particularly when it comes to large sums of wealth, a move needs to be well planned.”

And the same goes for questions of inheritance tax or foundations.To guarantee that they’re always up-to-date with the latest developments, tax experts from both companies regularly attend professional workshops. Once a year they organise a conference in Berlin alongside the Federation of German Industry (BDI), delving into current tax subjects concerning the DACH countries, and Liechtenstein, a recent addition to the agenda.

Besides the professional aspects, what else excites the tax experts about this intensive cooperation? “I find Austrian cuisine sensational,” says Schönfeld without hesitating. “AndVienna and Salzburg are both always worth a visit, they’re very relaxed and welcoming, although sometimes the language baffles me. I have to ask what words like ‘heuer’ or ‘Schlagobers’ mean.” “Often we participate in sports together as part of these professional workshops. We dominate when it comes to winter sports but we could still win a football match or two against our German friends – even without David Alaba,” remarks Gahleitner with a smile. www.fgs.de www.leitnerleitner.com

This is a perspective shared by Gerald Gahleitner: “Given the two decades-plus years of constant cooperation, we share a lot of trust – professionally too.This is of invaluable benefit to our clients, as we’re able to develop cross-border solutions for them.”

Such a high level of trust is also important for the private client seeking advice from one of the two firms.“Since the 1990s we’ve focussed on international succession planning for medium-sized companies and the associated tax issues,”explains Gahleitner.

“For many Germans, Austria is an appealing country in which to live. And tax isn’t the sole reason for this,” says Schönfeld.

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Old glory meets new glamour The property market in Vienna, Austria’s ‘City of Dreams’, is booming with beautiful period homes that feature modern amenities. Engel+Partner can help you find them.

TEXT: SONJA IRANI | PHOTOS: ENGEL + PARTNER IMMOBILIEN GMBH

Looking to buy in Vienna? Good choice, reckons Mirka Engel ofVienna-based estate agency Engel + Partner Immobilien GmbH. “Vienna is highly attractive to investors from all around the world,” she says assuredly.“Aside from the many recreational and cultural facilities the city has to offer,Vienna also guarantees a very high degree of safety. Furthermore, economic stability and a growing population combined with above-average spending power all contribute to excellent prospects for the future price development.”

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Most liveable location A good outlook then for potential buyers to live and invest in Vienna – but there is so much more to Austria’s charismatic capital.

Take the historic centre, for example, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Here, Vienna’s glorious past as the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is reflected in many architectural gems, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as the late-19th-century Ringstrasse lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks. In a study of the

world’s most livable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit,Vienna was ranked first in 2005 and second in 2012. In addition, Vienna claimed the title of Mercer’s“Quality of Living”survey among hundreds of cities worldwide for six consecutive years (20092014). Known as the City of Music due to its rich musical heritage,Vienna is also said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to Sigmund Freud, the world's first psychoanalyst.

Live your dream If all this has convinced you to make your own little property dream come true in this fascinating city, Mirka Engel is the perfect partner. Specialized in the high-end segment of Vienna and its surrounding areas,

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Discover Germany | Business | Engel+Partner

Engel + Partner offer a range of contemporary and period properties, both residential and commercial. “Period flats in beautiful buildings from the time of rapid industrial expansion around the turn to the 20th century are still booming,”explains Mirka Engel when asked which trends can currently be observed on theVienna property market.

“Such flats cannot be built again and we therefore anticipate the prices in this segment to increase further. Attractive attic conversions without any inclined walls but with an above-average room height and of course superb views are highly sought-after too.”Vienna’s period flats are usually located in buildings with richly articulated façades, featuring high rooms with (often double) frame and panel doors, typical fishbone-style parquet flooring as well as panelled box windows. “Contemporary renovations aim to combine the charm of the

old with the amenities of modern, highly-developed technical infrastructure,” she explains.

“Particularly attractive is the creation of outdoor space such as balconies and terraces as – on average – those are pretty rare in period flats.” At the moment the area around Vienna’s new main station is seeing heavy investment, as the estate agent continues: “We own exclusive rights to sell flats in the Palais Mommsen, a great residential building complex from the turn of the 20th century.” Almost 10,000m² of new residential and commercial living space is being developed here. The grand building is fully renovated while preserving all of its valuable period features. New penthouse apartments are being constructed at the top. Buyers will haveVienna literally at their feet, and will enjoy breath-taking views.

many different types of people. I believe that I generally have a good feeling for what people really want.”And her concept clearly works:“I have often been able to bring buyers and sellers together who previously wouldn’t have considered each other for finding their perfect property”. Another sign that the client-committed estate agency is on the fast track is that Engel+Partner is increasingly recommend by people whom Mirka or her colleagues have in fact never met.“Even though our company is only 4 years old,”smiles Mirka Engel.“This is probably due to our good reputation.” www.engelpartner.at All images: Palais Mommsen, 4th district, Vienna

Dedication deluxe Property buyers are very different and have different priorities when they embark on a property search. Therefore, Engel+Partner focus strongly on the individual. Expertise, competent judgement and an individual success strategy are specifically tailored to clients and properties.“The demands of the buyers have increased strongly in recent years, as have the prices that the buyers are ready to pay for adequately attractive homes,”explains Mirka Engel.“In this context, reliability and professional preparation are essential. Furthermore, I embrace the challenge of finding the dream home for

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Discover Germany | Business | RIWOG REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT

Real estate purchase made easy RIWOG REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT offers the highest standard of customeroriented and professional property marketing – and not only for those seeking to acquire property in the most liveable city of Vienna.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: RIWOG REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT GMBH

Much more than typical estate agents, the flexible and competent team of experts lend their support to national and international customers throughout the entire process of acquiring or selling properties in Austria.

From the initial contact to the fulfilment of individual property dreams and beyond, the team at RIWOG REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT embody true all-round talent and full-service provision. Offering target groupspecific services for building contractors, investors, acquiring parties and sellers, as well as tenants and landlords, the property marketing company guarantees maximum efficiency through extensive cooperation with partners, such as financial service providers, lawyers and notaries.“We are a high level business and not a ‘door opener’,”explains associate Benjamin Tanil.“We offer our customers everything to do with real estate: estate agents, property management and building contractors. We’re more than sheer estate agents, solely taking on the mediating role. We have 80 per cent professional

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contracting authorities, such as property developers or private foundations. Thus, we can offer high quality objects to the interested parties. We also offer the entire marketing concept (logo, CI, text, homepage, augmented reality) to our property sellers for free,”he adds.

The modern and innovative business banks on high quality training of their in-house estate agents. As true specialists in their field, they advise every customer individually and try to realise personal wishes and ideas. Putting special emphasis on international customer acquisition, they seek to optimally advise and supervise with any real estate purchases inVienna.“We are nationally active and thus can offer the familiar quality for our cosmopolitan-thinking customers in Austria’s essential property markets. We also offer multilingual support for our international clientele as we speak English, French, Italian, Russian, Hebrew, Croatian and Romanian,”continues Tanil.

The young, innovative, flexible and professional team offer their selling clients the highest service so that they can expect to find the most suitable customer at an optimum price. RIWOG REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT primarily offers professionally developed properties between €250,000 and €600,000 for the upper middle class, as well as down-to-earth entrepreneurs. With highly positive online ratings, that’s just another confirmation that RIWOG’s extensive expertise, quality and service are their three proven pillars to success. www.riwog.at

Main image: Project ‘Highline9‘; www.highline9.at Top: Furnishing available on request Above: Project ‘Prime View‘ www.primeview.at Below: RIWOG Real Estate Management team

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Discover Germany | Business | WVG Bauträger

Live in style in Vienna While a large number of newly built apartments currently exist in Vienna, only very few can rival the quality and elegance of these beautifully refurbished flats in the Gallgasse in the 13th district. Located in one of the quietest and greenest areas of Hietzing, they can be found near to the highly sought-after recreational spots of Lainz Game Reserve, the Vienna Woods and SchĂśnbrunn Palace.

Above: Idyllic living conditions in a green and quiet location.

TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: WVG BAUTRAEGER

The housing project Gallgasse has created the optimum blend of quality, location and that certain special something. With 46 completely renovated flats, each one featuring a generously-sized open space such as a balcony, terrace or garden. French windows provide plenty of light for the spacious two to five-room apartments.

Elaborate layouts and elegant architecture define the look of the housing complex,

while high ceilings, as well as noble oak parquet floors in a herringbone pattern cater for an exclusive ambiance that reflects the history. Underfloor heating, wooden windows with aluminium covers, triple insulated glazing, as well as porcelain tiles are some of the premium features offered.

But the real draw of the project is its location. Set in a beautiful community garden and with Lainz Game Reserve in close proximity, urban life is perfectly in balance

as one can easily reach Speisinger Strasse by foot, the U4 station of Hietzing by tram line 60 and Karlsplatz with line 62.The harmoniously designed housing complex is a tranquil haven in the middle of one of the most beautiful districts of Vienna. www.wvg.at

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Unusual, noteworthy, curious or inspiring Interesting facts about traditions and customs in Germany TEXT & PHOTOS: GERMAN NATIONAL TOURIST BOARD (GNTB)

Beer: The German Beer Purity Law is still the oldest food-quality regulation in the world. In the year 1516, the Bavarian duke Wilhelm IV decreed that beer may only be brewed from barley, hops, and water – today, this is still a quality standard for German beer.

Carnival: Whether Aachen, Düsseldorf, Cologne, or Bonn – each of the Rhine’s carnival centres has its own history and special traditions. However, one thing they have had in common since the Middle Ages is the joyful and carefree way they celebrate this zany and lively festival including some serious preparation beforehand. Therefore, the revellers – the active carnival participants – want the Rhine Carnival to be recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.The decision is planned for 2016.

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Cuckoo clock: The first documented reference to the cuckoo clock is not actually associated with the Black Forest. Elector August of Saxony is believed to have had such a clock in around 1630. About 150 years later, clockmakers in the Black Forest manufactured the timepiece with the original acoustic component, which strikes at every

full hour. In the mid-19th century, the characteristic design of the signalman's house became common for the casing, as well as the pendulum weights in the shape of pine cones. Since then, the cuckoo clock is renowned worldwide as a typical souvenir from Germany.

Currywurst (bratwurst with curry sauce): One of the most recent culinary traditions already has a museum dedicated to it. In Germany’s first Currywurst museum in Berlin Mitte, you can interactively discover this speciality and try different variations.

East Frisian “Teetied” (tea time): East Frisians drink nearly 300 litres of tea per capita each year. The ceremony is precisely regulated. First, a piece of sugar crystal (Kluntje) is placed in the cup, then the tea.

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Discover Germany | Feature | Traditions & Customs in Germany

tea is first apparent, followed by the milk and finally the sweetness of the sugared tea at the bottom of the cup.

Green Sauce: This traditional sauce consists of seven kinds of herbs – no more and no less. In the district of Oberrad, there is a special monument made up of seven small greenhouses – one for each herb. There are also several hundred different ways to prepare this “Grie Soß” (green sauce), as the people in Frankfurt call it. As for which recipe is best, there will probably never be agreement for all eternity.

Hamburg fish market: At the Hamburg fish market there is much more than just fish. The market traders seize the opportunity to advertise, in loud voices, the low prices for their remaining weekly stock in fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, sausages and fish, until the warehouses are empty and they have space for fresh merchandise for the following week.

A dash of cream is then carefully added to the side of the cup. Traditionally, the tea is drunk without stirring so the bitter taste of

Meissen porcelain: We owe the discovery of this famous porcelain from Saxony thanks to alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger, who claimed to be able to convert base materials into pure gold. Unfortunately, this did not bring him the expected admiration by his contemporaries, but instead attracted greedy princes. Böttger was abducted and held under house arrest by order of Augustus the Strong and locked up in Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen, until he discovered porcelain after years of experiments.

Spree Forest: Tourists can enjoy the unique landscape at its best by going on a relaxing boat trip and punting through the channels.

Spreewald barges are also an essential means of transport for the population. Even mail is delivered by water.

Oktoberfest: The Munich “Wies’n” is the world’s largest folk festival with 6.3 million visitors. In 2014, they drank 6.5 million litres, known as a“Mass”, of the especially quaffable Oktoberfest beer, whilst eating more than 100 oxen and around 80 calves.Almost half a million roast chickens (“Brathendl”) are consumed in the two weeks on the Theresienwiese, as well as over 100,000 pairs of pork sausages and some 80,000 pork knuckles.

Wine: Wine is cultivated in 13 growing regions in Germany, in some cases since the Roman times. Riesling from Rheingau, Pinot Noir from the Ahr Valley or Trollinger and Lemberger from Württemberg are internationally in demand. Full of pleasure and a joie de vivre, traditional wine festivals offer visitors a very special experience, where the winegrowers present their current vintages with regional specialities for tasting.

Main image: Enjoy a Frisian tea in Husum.

Photo: Jochen Keute Opposite page, bottom: Hamburg/Elbe: at the fish market outside the fish auction hall. Photo: Rainer Kiedrowski Below: Black Forest cuckoo clock. Photo: Gundhard Marth Munich Oktoberfest: “Wies'neinzug” procession.

Photo: Rainer Kiedrowski Punting trip in the Spree Forest. Photo: Andreas Kaster

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Culture Calendar Save the date as there are plenty of great events scheduled for the weeks to come.

From music festivals and exciting exhibitions to fantastic sporting events and social highlights, Discover Germany’s Culture Calendar is your perfect guide for what not to miss in May. Ruhrfestspiele, Recklinghausen (1 May – 14 June) Who would have thought that the Ruhr Valley would host one of the oldest and biggest European theatre festivals? Numerous locations will hold dance events, concerts, and cabaret or theatre productions of numerous genres. www.ruhrfestspiele.de/en International Festival of Animated Film, Stuttgart (5 – 10 May) Stuttgart is the location for one of the world’s most outstanding events for animated film fans.

The festival covers the whole spectrum of current productions in the animated film sector. www.itfs.de/en designmesse.ch, Zurich (8-10 May) Zurich’s hottest design fair featuring exciting new

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furniture items for home and office, with lighting solutions, living accessories, carpets and much more. www.designmesse.ch Hamburg Port Anniversary (8 – 10 May) Hamburg’s historic ‘Hafencity’ will once more be swept away on a wave of maritime ambience as one of the biggest harbours in the world celebrates its annual anniversary. Guests can expect a three-day festival full of exciting stage programmes, historic ships, dragon boat races and a tugboat ballet. www.hamburg.de/hafengeburtstag-programm Genuss Festival, Vienna (8 – 10 May) Three days full of culinary delights in Vienna’s City Park in front of a beautiful backdrop – visitors can indulge in regional Austrian dishes and high quality produce at 160 stands. A

colourful supporting programme can be expected too. www.genuss-festival.at

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Discover Germany | Culture | Culture Calendar

Bern Grand-Prix (9 May) Switzerland’s largest running event is a topnotch spectacle both on and off the road. In 2014 over 28,000 competitors took part in this race along the ’10 most beautiful miles in the world.’ The unique backdrop of Bern’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lends a special appeal to the event. www.gpbern.ch Long Night of Music, Munich (9 May) From hip-hop and blues, jazz or pop to rock and church music: For just one night each year, Munich’s city centre plays host to over 400 concerts, dance performances, cabaret shows or tours in more than 100 different venues. And all this for just 15 Euros. Free shuttle bus included. www.muenchner.de/musiknacht Show-Jumping and Dressage Derby, Hamburg (13 – 17 May) Considered one of the world’s hardest jumping derbies, the Show-Jumping and Dressage Derby in Hamburg’s Klein Flottbek is also Germany’s most historic and traditional riding event. Visitors can expect to see the big international stars of equestrianism in front of a magnificent setting. engarde.de/events Herring Days, Kappeln (14 – 17 May) The town with the oldest herring fence in Europe annually celebrates this small fish with exhibitions, auctions, a fun fair and live concerts.

A highlight is the herring bet when guests can estimate the weight of the catch of the day. www.heringstage-kappeln.de/programm2014.html Vienna Festival (14 May – 21 June)

political groups and various musicians. www.karneval-berlin.de/en

Annually attracting about 180,000 visitors today, the festival was first established in 1951 when Vienna was still occupied by the four Allies. An innovative event with international collaborations, it features a wide variety of genres – classical, modern and contemporary operas, theatres, concerts, performance art, and installations. A large number of places throughout the city serve as performance venues, such as the MuseumsQuartier, the Theater an der Wien, Musikverein, Schauspielhaus, and the city’s markets and squares. www.festwochen.at

40th International Jazzfestival Bern (until 24 May)

Karneval der Kulturen, Berlin (22 – 25 May)

Last year Conchita Wurst won the coveted trophy. For the 60th time in history, contestants from all over Europe will perform their best song and hope to hear ‘ten points for…’. May the best one win! www.eurovision.tv

The street festival and parade are part of an urban festival that reflects Berlin’s multi-cultural nature. Celebrating diversity, visitors can expect a wide range of cultural offerings from Mexican dancers to Brazilian music, from artists to

Jazz, Blues, Soul and Latin – 20,000 jazz enthusiasts annually pilgrimage to one of the most important festivals of this kind. At over 200 individual concerts, international world-class artists will perform in a very personal ambience.

Music students from Switzerland and New York can gain their first stage experience. www.jazzfestivalbern.ch

Opposite page, main image: AIDA fireworks. Photo: AIDA Cruise / CHLietzmann Opposite page, bottom: Genuss. Photo: Rita Newman Top: Impression of the 33rd Grand Prix of Bern.

Photo: swiss-image.ch/Photo Michael Buholzer Above: Jephtha – Wiener Festwochen 2015.

Photo: Stefan Gloede Below: Karneval der Kulturen.

Photo: Daniela Incoronato

Eurovision Song Contest, Vienna (19 – 23 May)

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FRANKFURT LYON DALIAN

Dalian International Conference Center, China; Foto Photo: © Duccio Malagamba

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