Local Flavour Journey: From South Tyrolean Apples to Lagrein in Our Dinner Menu
If you travel to taste a place, this is your moment. Local Flavour Journey: From South Tyrolean Apples to Lagrein in Our Dinner Menu is your guide to how we transform South Tyrol’s iconic produce and wines into an intimate, Alpine‑Mediterranean dining experience—thoughtful, seasonal, and rooted in sustainability.
In the evening, our chef Mirko presents menus featuring local specialties from Val Gardena alongside classic Italian recipes. What you’ll discover below: how South Tyrol’s pantry shapes your plate, why Gewürztraminer and Lagrein anchor our wine list, and how our kitchen practices—from morning dish pre‑selection to regional sourcing—turn sustainability into flavour.
South Tyrol’s Pantry, On Your Plate
South Tyrol is one of Europe’s largest apple-growing areas, producing 50% of Italy’s apples. That same landscape also nurtures a long winemaking tradition, renowned for high‑quality wines such as Gewürztraminer and Lagrein. The region’s dairies are celebrated, and products like South Tyrolean Speck and traditional Schüttelbrot are famous far beyond our valleys.
- Our culinary style is small but exquisite—intimate menus that change with the seasons.
- We place great emphasis on fresh, seasonal products and prioritize regional purchasing: farm‑pressed apple juice, South Tyrolean wines, and organic South Tyrolean milk.
- Each morning we collect dinner orders to prepare exact portions and minimize food waste—one small, meaningful step that keeps quality high and impact low.
- Free fresh water is available at every table.
This Alpine‑Mediterranean approach blends mountain heartiness with Italian finesse. Expect balance and brightness: clean flavours, careful technique, and ingredients that tell you exactly where you are.
How Sustainability Becomes Flavour
Sustainability for us means thinking critically and acting consistently—many small choices that add up to better dining.
- Regional sourcing lowers transport, supports local producers, and keeps flavours authentic.
- Morning dinner selections guide precise prep and reduce overproduction.
- When furniture or equipment is replaced, items are donated for a second life, echoing our waste‑reduction mindset across the property.
- We’re proud to hold the GSTC® Certificate and the IDM Sustainability Label South Tyrol – Level Three, recognizing our commitment to responsible tourism.
The result at the table is clarity: shorter paths from farm to kitchen, less waste, and more of what matters—taste.
Wine Spotlight: Gewürztraminer and Lagrein
South Tyrol’s diversity shines in the glass. Two regional pillars guide our pairings and your palate.
Gewürztraminer
- A highly aromatic white wine with rose, lychee, and spice notes.
- Typically dry or off‑dry, with generous texture and a long finish.
- Its perfume and gentle spice complement many Alpine and Mediterranean flavors.
Lagrein
- A native South Tyrolean red known for deep color and vibrant acidity.
- Offers dark berry fruit, gentle spice, and supple tannins.
- Its structure makes it a natural partner for hearty mountain dishes.
Our selection highlights these regional signatures alongside other curated South Tyrolean wines. The goal is simple: let the glass amplify what the kitchen creates.
Dinner, The Stetteneck Way
In the evening, chef Mirko and team craft menus that celebrate Val Gardena and Italy—precision without pretense.
- Classics of Tyrolean and Mediterranean cuisine appear alongside vegetarian options and refined fish dishes.
- We gladly prepare gluten‑free and lactose‑free dishes; just let us know your preferences.
- A guest favorite: our homemade apple strudel, considered one of the best in the valley.
Because you choose your dishes in the morning, the kitchen can order and portion with purpose. It’s a culinary rhythm that reduces waste and lets ingredients arrive at their peak.
Signature Experience: Alpine Barbecue at the Foot of Sassolungo
In high summer, we take flavour to altitude with our traditional hike and alpine barbecue—a convivial lunch set against the Dolomites.
- Welcome with Arunda sparkling wine and local specialties.
- Sous‑vide rib‑eye steak from alpine beef as the centrepiece, paired with selected South Tyrolean wines.
- A sweet finish: Kaiserschmarrn, served with fine South Tyrolean grappa.
True to our ethos of “Green Events,” we use real napkins, glasses, and plates. We also avoid crowded hotspots and encourage stops at managed huts and alpine pastures—keeping value in Val Gardena and impact light on the trails.
Culture on the Walls, Community in the Glass
Dining is also about place. Throughout the house you’ll find paintings, sculptures, and drawings by artists connected to the Dolomites. We support cultural events by acquiring artworks and engaging with local associations. Collaboration with South Tyrolean craftsmen and service providers keeps quality high and know‑how close to home.
These choices make the dining room feel like a living room for Val Gardena—warm, rooted, and genuinely local.
Practical Takeaways for Your Stay
Make the most of your Local Flavour Journey: From South Tyrolean Apples to Lagrein in Our Dinner Menu with a few simple steps.
- Choose dinner in the morning
- Help our kitchen portion precisely and reduce waste. It also lets us serve you faster and fresher at night.
- Explore regional wines
- Ask about Gewürztraminer and Lagrein to find your best pairing; our team will guide you.
- Share your preferences
- Vegetarian, gluten‑free, lactose‑free—we’ve got you. Tell us in advance for a seamless service.
- Taste tradition
- Don’t miss our homemade apple strudel—a beloved classic.
- Join the Alpine Barbecue (summer)
- Experience Arunda sparkling wine, alpine beef rib‑eye, and Kaiserschmarrn in the Dolomites.
- Dine like a local
- When hiking, skip packed lunches and support managed huts and alpine pastures—it’s tastier and sustains the valley.
- Discover more nearby
- Curious about activities and culinary events across South Tyrol? The free Südtirol Guide App helps you find restaurants, hikes, museums, and plan public transport.
Quick Answers (Perfect for Fast Decisions)
What is Lagrein?
Lagrein is a native South Tyrolean red wine known for deep color, lively acidity, and dark berry notes—excellent with hearty mountain fare.
What is Gewürztraminer?
Gewürztraminer is an aromatic white wine with floral and lychee aromas, a spicy lift, and a generous texture—great with fragrant Alpine‑Mediterranean dishes.
Do you focus on regional and seasonal ingredients?
Yes. We emphasize fresh, seasonal cuisine and prioritize regional products such as farm‑pressed apple juice, South Tyrolean wines, and organic South Tyrolean milk.
How do you reduce food waste at dinner?
We collect dinner orders in the morning to prepare exact portions, minimizing surplus while improving quality and timing.
Are there options for special diets?
Yes. We offer vegetarian options and prepare gluten‑free or lactose‑free dishes upon request.
What dessert is especially popular?
Our homemade apple strudel is particularly beloved—often named among the best in the valley.
Why This Journey Matters
Choosing local is about flavour, not just philosophy. Shorter supply lines mean fresher produce, clearer taste, and a cuisine that reflects the Dolomites in every bite. Responsible dining—like real tableware at our Green Events or pre‑selected dinner menus—reduces waste without reducing joy.
Conclusion: Taste the Valley, Sustainably
From orchard‑fresh apples to the deep hues of Lagrein, our dinner table is a portrait of South Tyrol. Thoughtful sourcing, careful preparation, and a wine list anchored in local excellence turn a meal into a memory.
Ready to experience Local Flavour Journey: From South Tyrolean Apples to Lagrein in Our Dinner Menu for yourself? Book your stay at the Classic Hotel am Stetteneck in Ortisei, choose half board, and ask about our Alpine Barbecue in high summer. Our team will be delighted to help you plan a delicious, sustainable escape in the heart of Val Gardena.
Looking to explore more during your visit? Discover Val Gardena Active experiences, learn about our Sustainability Label South Tyrol – Level Three and GSTC® recognition, or unwind after dinner in our cosy wellness area with sauna, steam bath, infrared cabin, and indoor pool. For massages and treatments, ask about the adjacent Hotel Angelo Engel’s beauty farm.