Finally, off to SONNENTOR
Smell the herbs, taste nature, and discover new ideas at the Waldviertel organic pioneer.
There’s a lot going on at the SONNENTOR Experience, hosted by the Waldviertel herb specialist, because SONNENTOR delights over 40,000 visitors annually—not only with herbs and spices from organic farming, which are combined with great attention to detail and according to innovative recipes, but also by introducing new products and experiences year after year at its headquarters in the herb village of Sprögnitz.
Smell the herbs during a tour of the
facility
The behind-the-scenes look at SONNENTOR—named a top excursion destination in 2017—is impressive. Regular guided tours through the production facilities—which are fragrant with fresh peppermint, oriental turmeric, and spicy rosemary—show how SONNENTOR teas and spices are made, as well as the company’s impressive growth. The SONNENTOR store takes you on a sensory journey through the world of herbs and spices and invites you to sample the latest product ideas.
Right outside the front door, the natural healers in the herb petting garden look forward to a little affection. Those who want to get some exercise can either learn about the stories of the herbal world along the Herb Hiking Trail, explore one of the “Tut Gut!” hiking trails, or rent an e-bike and take a bike tour through the countryside surrounding the herb village of Sprögnitz. You’ll be rewarded with unforgettable views of the Waldviertel and renewed energy.
For group and bus tours, the SONNENTOR Experience offers special group menus at the Leibspeis’ organic restaurant and affordable combo packages featuring the most beautiful excursion destinations in the Waldviertel.
SONNENTOR – Nature Garden of Diversity
The Nature Gardenof Diversity at SONNENTOR is a living natural garden that demonstrates how gardening can be done in harmony with nature. With a strong focus on biodiversity and permaculture, it creates a diverse habitat for plants, animals, and people.
The entire garden is designed to be close to nature: native plants and species that are particularly valuable to insects find a place throughout the garden. Visitors can experience permaculture garden beds up close—raised beds, hill beds, and layered mulch beds—and see how mulching and natural soil care protect the soil, water, and nutrients. Weeds and wild plants serve as a source of sustenance for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial organisms.
There are also diverse habitats for animals: wild corners, piles of deadwood, a sandarium, wetland habitats, and other structures that offer refuges for insects, amphibians, birds, and small animals. This allows visitors to directly experience natural cycles and understand how everything works together.
Workshops and seminars also offer the opportunity to deepen your knowledge through hands-on experience and get actively involved—a space full of inspiration for anyone who wants to rediscover nature.
Taste Nature at the Leibspeis’ Organic Restaurant
Delight and hospitality—all organic. That’s the motto the Leibspeis’ Organic Restaurant has embraced. They place a strong emphasis on regional ingredients and know their suppliers personally. Seasonal ingredients, in particular, take center stage on the menu and are transformed into creative culinary delights with love and culinary flair. In addition to classics of Austrian home-style cooking, guests can choose from an extensive selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes. Naturally, the herbs and spices from SONNENTOR’s farming partners provide the necessary flavor. Right next to the inn’s sunny terrace, the Bio-Bengelchen Garden awaits little adventure seekers, complete with a giant hammock, a sand construction area, and a water playground.
SONNENTOR Land-Loft: Sleeping in the Herb Garden
Visitors can now also spend a very special overnight getaway at SONNENTOR inthe herb garden. Nestled in the permaculture garden of the Frei-Hof organic farm are the two SONNENTOR Land-Lofts, Anna Apfelminze and Hans Hagebutte. These two cozy trailers invite you to simply enjoy the peace and quiet surrounded by nature, take a vacation, and keep track of your personal energy balance. In the Land-Lofts, guests experience what it takes to live simply, enjoy life simply, and just let their minds wander—all in harmony with nature’s cycle. Measuring 31 m² each, Anna Apfelminze and Hans Hagebutte can accommodate up to 4 adults or a family of five with children. The breakfast you ordered is already waiting fresh outside your Land-Loft door in the morning. Built from 100% sustainable and regional materials, the two Land-Lofts offer an environment where you can feel at ease and recharge your energy, ensuring an unforgettable vacation adventure.
Experience new ideas at seminars & workshops
The extensive SONNENTOR seminar program offers inspiration, balance, and continuing education. Experts in the fields of herbalism, health, horticulture, art, and permaculture demonstrate sustainable solutions for your own living space. Johannes Gutmann himself captivates his audience during his talks and instills the SONNENTOR spirit in them.
Three compelling reasons to visit the SONNENTOR experience
You definitely shouldn’t miss the annual highlights of the sunny year—such as the Bio-Bengelchen Spring Festival in May and the festive Advent market on the last weekend of Advent. Numerous food and activity stations, a diverse array of booths run by organic farmers and partners, and—above all—the warm, friendly atmosphere combine to create a colorful smorgasbord of offerings that’s guaranteed to be fun for young and old alike.
About SONNENTOR:
SONNENTOR Kräuterhandels GmbH was founded in 1988 by Johannes Gutmann in the Waldviertel region. The original idea was to collect organic farm specialties and market them nationally and internationally under the logo of the smiling sun. Fair pay, treating all partners with respect, and protecting the natural cycle of life are core tenets of the company’s philosophy. Today, the company, headquartered in Sprögnitz near Zwettl, employs 330 people in Austria and 150 in the Czech Republic, and exports its products to over 50 countries around the globe. Currently, around 300 organic farmers in Austria alone work with Sonnentor. That’s where the joy grows.
