Aside from distilling schnapps and making jam, my wife and I indulge in another passion: old houses. For instance, our farm in Wösendorf, where we live and work, is the former "Lesehof" (as a vineyard farmstead is known in the Wachau) of the wine estate of the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, with the old house name "Melkerhof" and its origins dating back about 1000 years. Through years of ongoing effort, we have tried to preserve or restore the old monastic structure, allowing us today to live in a truly unique atmosphere.

St. Michael in Wachau Valley

THE BAROQUE HOUSE APARTEMENTS

In 2013, we purchased the former parish wine cellar in the neighboring village of St. Michael. This small and at that time completely dilapidated Baroque building, probably from the 16th century, piqued our interest. With careful, significant financial and time investment, two charming 60 – 65 sqm maisonettes were created, nestled in the vineyards & gardens, now available as holiday apartments. Arranged over two floors, they each accommodate three people (double bed in the bedroom or a fold-out sofa in the living area).

In keeping with the rustic style of the house, we used a lot of (old) wood. The low wooden beam ceilings and the roof truss were incorporated into the newly created living space, old doors expertly restored or new ones reconstructed using old wood.