Andrea Rieder

If the little grandsons aren’t just romping about, the guests are looked after and the animals in the stables have fresh hay to chew on, Andrea Rieder likes sitting down on the bench in front of the house and enjoy the peace and quiet. “With the pace the world is setting today, I need that sometimes to unwind.” The farm is her life, family the most important and nature the most precious commodity. As soon as setting foot on the farm, your heart sings. Here you’ll feel at ease right away and sense the deep connection with nature and tradition. It’s almost as if opening a nostalgic children’s storybook:

The farm is surrounded by meadows and wooden fences, framed by fruit trees and blooming which bushes; chickens walking around the house clucking and “Muizi” the cat lazing in the sun. And there comes Andrea‘s husband Martin chuffing around the corner on the tractor. “There is always lots to do, and it’s good that way”, Andrea smiles and takes little Anton in the
arm. When her daughters(-in-law) are working, she looks after their grandchildren. As a family you have to stick together so that everything runs smoothly. “We are there for each other. Because there’s nothing better than falling asleep knowing that we are all healthy and can live life. And work is part of that.” As a landlady and farmer she feels, as she puts it herself, “a pig in muck”. Most people have a holiday once a year. Andrea knows that’s the most precious time of year.

Cooking is his passion – working with healthy groceries a joy. “I enjoy cooking, sometimes for the whole family and sometimes even for our guests”. When I put the pan with wonderfully fluffy sugared and shredded pancakes on the table, it’s not only children’s eyes that begin to shine. Speaking of pan: “Oh dear, the potatoes”, she says, getting busy in the kitchen in the same breath, “I have to boil them now or there won’t be anything to eat for lunch”, she smiles. Andrea cooks like her mother taught her. “In Pinzgau we cook by instinct, like this: a handful of flour, potatoes, some salt and a little milk (it has to be hot or it won’t work), knead the dough with love – but not too long – and then we’ll put another log in the oven to get the ideal temperature...”. Good thing that Andrea also gives cooking lessons. When baking bread and doughnuts, rolling noodles and stirring and pressing, she shares valuable tips on how to cook the Pinzgau treats. “It makes me happy when people tell me how well the bread turned out and the joy they found when cooking and baking.”
Andrea adds fresh herbs to almost every dish. “Nature is our most precious asset. That’s why we have to treat it responsibly.” She is particularly fascinated by herbs and their effects – be it as healthy spices or remedies. Herbs were grown in Hollersbach in times past, as well. They were mainly used for making herbal cosmetics.
”When this was discontinued I got the idea to carry on with the growing of herbs. Me and some like-minded began developing this idea and eventually founded the association “Hollersbacher Herb Garden”.
On by now some 8,000 m² around 500 plants from various categories can be marvelled at, smelled and tasted. “The power and benefit of herbs is fascinating.” You wouldn’t believe everything that grows in Pinzgau. “We lead visitors through the world of herbs and together make ointments and herbal salts, which they can then take with them home. And it’s not only guests who appreciate this offer. “The Hollersbach locals identify themselves with their herb garden”, Andrea says proudly. Especially in summer it’s a popular place of well-being, relaxing and experiencing for locals and guests, young and old – surrounded by wonderful fragrances and shining colours – and buzzing bees. “Anyone who’s ever asked themselves how important bees are for people – for them the bee nature trail is a great asset”, Andrea advises her guests. Because without bees the world would look very different… “but set off on your own journey of discovery…“.

The time with Andrea in the living room simply flies by. With her, you truly have the feeling of being at home. The herbal tea (prepared by herself, of course) spreads out soothingly in the stomach region. Little Anton, meanwhile, is longing for grandma’s full attention. What does happiness mean? Dialling it down a notch, taking a deep breath and enjoying the small things in life.