The holiday regionThree Peaks in the Dolomites takes travelers on a journey back to the origins – to traditional crafts and local food specialties. The region, which is located at the heart of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a very unique appeal during the summer months with glowing mountain peaks standing against quaint valleys and sun-kissed alpine meadows. It is a place where traditional craftsmanship is kept alive with much dedication and where visitors get to enjoy delicious South Tyrolean culinary treats made from local ingredients, sold at local farms or small farmers’ shops.
Travelling back in time: The tradition of hat making. A great example demonstrating the long tradition of ancient crafts in the holiday region Three Peaks in the Dolomites is the Zacher family in San Candido/Innichen. They have been crafting products from natural felt since 1560, which makes them one of the country’s oldest artisan families. Today, the five siblings carrying on the tradition at the hat maker’s shop mainly manufacture slippers and soles.
A fruity affair. At the farm “manufactory” Regiohof food lovers get to taste a blend of traditional foods and new influences. Ancient recipes from mountain farms are newly brought to life through zesty chutneys and high-quality preserves made from different types of fruit. The Alpe Pragas, too, processes for their delicious preserves nothing but premium fruit grown right in the holiday region Three Peaks in the Dolomites. An exceptionally high 70% (or more) fruit content in all spreads guarantees an extra tasteful experience.
Of farmer’s shops and local cheese miracles. Visitors will find a great number of farmer’s shops in the holiday region Three Peaks in the Dolomites inviting them on a leisurely stroll through rustic farmsteads. At traditional mountain farms and small farming households like the Patzleiner family’s Höfkäserei Lechnerhof connoisseurs are able to purchase premium homemade cheeses and dairy products. A wide choice of homemade products is also available at the Unteroltlhof in Sesto/Sexten, where in 2008 the Villgrater family added a cheese dairy to their farm. Not forgetting the Villa Waldruhe in Dobbiaco/Toblach, an organic farm that uses all components of milk when producing cheese. Another place not to miss in Dobbiaco is the show dairy Drei Zinnen. It explains the secret behind traditional cheese making in the area. In addition, the gallery at this modern alpine dairy presents insights on the production process and the work of experienced master cheese makers.
Apart from milk, cheese and other dairy products visitors can buy meat and sausages made from young cattle raised at the respective farm plus a choice of smoked meat products at small, rustic farmer’s shops like the farm butchery Steinmetz in Sesto or at the Ranerhof in San Candido.
Local flavors: The Three Peaks Dolomites “Quality Partner“ seal. When choosing a restaurant or accommodation food lovers who put particular emphasis on local quality should look out for the “Quality Partner” seal issued by the Sennerei Drei Zinnen and the Sesto cheese dairy. The seal is awarded to places that exclusively serve locally produced dairy products.
INFO: Three Peaks Dolomites
