Thomas Unterweger grew up on the Gutzingerhof farm in Carinthia, a place that gave him the space to get to know life in nature and the many tasks on the farm from an early age. "As a child, I was allowed to try out everything," says Thomas. But as a teenager, he noticed how his father often managed the work alone. This made him think about his role on the farm and decide to become more actively involved. As a result, Thomas began regularly helping with daily chores at the age of 15 or 16, which sparked his passion for farm life. These early experiences laid the foundations for his desire to share the work with the family and make the farm a vibrant, multi-faceted place.
From childhood dream to passion
Early on, Thomas decided to make the farm the center of his life and began honing his skills by training in agriculture and forestry. By combining farming with Farm holidays, he and his family were able to develop creative lines of business such as direct marketing while promoting sustainable principles. The result is a joint approach that can also make agriculture future-proof in the long term.
Respect and innovation in animal husbandry
Respect for the animals has top priority at the Gutzingerhof. Thomas and his family make sure that the animals are processed on site and that the products are delivered directly to regional restaurants . This allows chefs to experience the entire process - from animal husbandry to slaughtering and processing - at first hand. "We want to keep our meat in the region and give it to people to enjoy," says Thomas. This transparency strengthens trust and promotes an understanding of the origins and sustainable handling of food.
"I was impressed by the wood because a tree is something durable."
Thomas Unterweger
Wood - the heart of the farm
The forest has a special place at the Gutzingerhof and is valued as a valuable, renewable resource. The farm's furniture and structures, including the apartments for guests, are made using wood from the farm's own forestry. "Everything we build is made from our own wood," says Thomas proudly. The regional processing and the high quality of the wood create an authentic and natural experience that also meets with enthusiasm among guests and conveys a deep connection to the region.
Culinary authenticity for every guest
Guests at the Gutzingerhof can expect an incomparable culinary experience that makes their regional roots tangible. Whether home-baked bread, bacon and sausage or special delicacies such as venison ham and goat salami - "You'll find everything from the farm in the breakfast basket," reports Thomas. The variety of specialties not only reflects the taste of the region, but also strengthens value creation in the village.
Vision of the future and tradition
For Thomas and his family, the Gutzingerhof is a place where tradition and innovation go hand in hand."We have so many ideas that we enjoy and that make life more fun," he says enthusiastically. New projects and creative concepts that enrich the community are at the forefront of their plans. Their vision is to make farming sustainable through passion and innovative ideas, while passing on knowledge and values to the next generation.
