Visit us at SONNENTOR
VISIT US AT SONNENTOR
SONNENTOR is situated in Lower Austria, Waldviertel. Visit us, experience our tea and herb production as well as our philosophie and history.
Everything started with an idea from Johannes Gutmann in the year 1988. The rest of it is history. In the meantime SONNENTOR is one of the most successful Austrian companies. Although the clocks are ticking differently.Life is a farm! Independent and free, in tune with nature. See for yourselves and start the “revolution masked as a gardening” with us.
Yet, the organic farmers of the Waldviertel manage the land without fertilizer or pesticides and, just like every pot finds its lid, there are a lot of plants that appreciate this climate. Herbs such as peppermint and sage for example: They love the sandy ground that retains the heat and the power of the sun and appreciates the silicon in the granite, which reflects and intensifies the light. Those herbs thrive on fresh morning dew, which provides sufficient moisture for them to grow and prosper. That is why they stay in the soil for several years. There are also plants that only want to stay for just one year, like marigold, sunflower or common mallow, and that thrive here splendidly. Perhaps, because neither artificial fertilizers nor pesticides disturb their order.
SONNENTOR ORGANIC FARM “FREI-HOF”
Life is a farm! Independent and free, in tune with nature. See for yourselves and start the “revolution masked as a gardening” with us
Yet, the organic farmers of the Waldviertel manage the land without fertilizer or pesticides and, just like every pot finds its lid, there are a lot of plants that appreciate this climate. Herbs such as peppermint and sage for example: They love the sandy ground that retains the heat and the power of the sun and appreciates the silicon in the granite, which reflects and intensifies the light. Those herbs thrive on fresh morning dew, which provides sufficient moisture for them to grow and prosper. That is why they stay in the soil for several years. There are also plants that only want to stay for just one year, like marigold, sunflower or common mallow, and that thrive here splendidly. Perhaps, because neither artificial fertilizers nor pesticides disturb their order.
During guided tours at the SONNENTOR organic farm”Frei-Hof” (free farm), you will learn how working with nature’s natural cycles can be achieved and you will get useful tips and tricks for your garden. The “Frei-Hof” would like to prove that it is possible to manage an independent and self-sufficient life on an organic farm without using any chemicals.
SONNENTOR ECOLOGICAL CARAVANS “LAND-LOFTS”
Sleeping in the herb garden. Fresh air! Take a break and experience how simple, quiet, and harmonious life can be in the country with nature. Take a guided tour through the halls of fragrant herbs and the permaculture garden. Go on an adventure in the Cheeky Cherubs garden and listen to the bird song on the herb walk. What a great way to relax!
In the midst of the Waldviertel nature, embedded in the permaculture garden of the SONNENTOR organic farm “Frei-Hof”, are two cosy SONNENTOR country lofts – named Anna Apfelminze (apple mint) and Hans Hagebutte (rosehip). Those two special 31m² units can accommodate up to 4 adults or a family of five.
Built from 100% sustainable and local materials such as solid wood and sheep wool, the two country lofts provide a feel-good environment to recharge your batteries. During your stay you will experience what it means to live with the rhythms of nature and you can learn about your personal energy balance. We will look after you: Your breakfast will be waiting infront of the door in the morning. The organic restaurant Leibspeis’ is only a 2-minute walk away and you can stock up on your favourite teas, spices, snacks, syrups, biscuits or chocolate from our SONNENTOR shop.
The nights can be a bit chilly here in the Waldviertel, but a log burner will keep your country loft cosy and warm. Take a break and clear your head. A comfy place surrounded by greenery and many activities such as herb seminars, cooking and crafts courses and exciting lectures are waiting here for you.
Colourful Annual Highlights
Under no circumstances should visitors miss this! At the beginning of the herbal year, at a Sunday in May, we always celebrate the funny Bio-Bengelchen Frühlingsfest (Organic Cheeky Cherubs Spring Festival) with our cheeky cherubs: Constanze, Moritz and Leander. There are entertaining games and Experience Stations for visitors, whether big and small. On the 15 August, we celebrate the traditional SONNENTOR Herb Festival. On this day we open our SONNENTOR (after all, the English translation of our company name is: “Gate with Sun (Rays”) and invite you to our Open Day. The event is rounded off by a varied programme for the whole family which is guaranteed to put you in a good mood!
We settle into a contemplative mood shortly before Christmas. On the last weekend before the Christmas Festival, our SONNENTOR Advent Market offers you an atmospheric backdrop for the growing anticipation and the enjoyment of regional delicacies. Gift ideas from the SONNENTOR shop and Waldviertel artistic handcrafts offer visitors the chance to find the right present.
Special Offers for Groups
The SONNENTOR Experience offers cheap packages and additional combo offers with the most beautiful Waldviertel attractions, especially for groups!
Curious about what you can discover? At SONNENTOR you can enjoy the world of herbs and spices with all your senses.
Highlights
Guided tours for all ages, groups and individual travellers. There are so many exciting things to discover here. Get to know us better, learn more about our company history and our vision of a future worth living.
SONNENTOR Company Tour
Daily at 14:30 we open our fragrant Herbal Halls to visitors and guide you, for about an hour, through the world of herbs, teas and spices. We tell you how Johannes Gutmann developed his idea for fine organic products from his love of nature and craftsmanship. We explain what is important to us during the gentle processing of our herbal treasures, outline where our herbs and spices come from, where they go from here and how an international company can manage to remain regional. These are just some of the questions we answer during the SONNENTOR Company Tour.
Just drop by, register at the SONNENTOR shop and take a look behind the scenes.
We warmly welcome groups of all kinds! Whether it a club or company outing, a school trip, family daytrip or study trip, a tour of the SONNENTOR Experience is possible any time for groups of 20 people or more. Simply register by phone or e-mail and we will open our fragrant Herbal Halls for you and your friends, colleagues or guests. So you can fully enjoy the experience, we divide groups once they reach 50 people!
Coach drivers and tour guides are welcome to immerse themselves in the world of herbs, teas and spices for FREE!
Are you big enough to know where pepper grows? Do you know how delicious dried applemint smells? Or freshly ground caraway? Have you ever had a “Good Mood” tea? At SONNENTOR you will learn everything about the processing of organic herbs and spices and how the tea makes its way into the bag.
Register and take a trip with your friends from kindergarten or school! We will show you the movie: “Die Bio-Bengelchen finden das SONNENTOR” (The Cheeky Cherubs find the SONNENTOR), and then together we will visit the original locations in the fragrant Herbal Halls of SONNENTOR. Playfully, and with lots of fun, you will learn more about the world of herbs and their effects, and go in search of the Cheeky Cherubs.
SONNENTOR Frei-Hof Guided Tours
The General Tour of the Frei-Hof site, and the public parts of the Permaculture Garden, takes place in July & August from Friday – Sunday: at 13:00. For groups (20 people or more), we offer individual appointments for guided tours from the beginning of April until the end of October. During the tour, we will inspire you to imitate us, to work with nature, to revolutionize your garden. Get tips and tricks and learn more about how small-scale agriculture can change the future.
Frei-Hof Special Tour
You have heard of permaculture and would like to know exactly what it is all about? You are interested in natural, small-scale organic agriculture that promotes diversity, strengthens local self-sufficiency and enriches our landscapes and living spaces? Then the special tour is the one for you!
We will show you how to grow produce in tune with nature, as we explain our “Frei-Hof” which is based on the design guidelines of permaculture and let you take a look behind the scenes.
We are pleased to offer our special tours of the Frei-Hof grounds upon request and by reservation.
Additional appointments for groups of 20 people or more can also be arranged by telephone. For groups of fewer than 20 people who would like to book an individual tour appointment.Please note the tour times at our homepage. It is only possible to tour the company as part of a guided tour. Tours take place in all weathers and we recommend you wear sturdy shoes! Our walkways are mulched with the stalks of herbs. For this reason, tours are only partially suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
As a food producer, our company is subject to legal hygiene regulations. Therefore dogs, and other pets, are not permitted to enter the production area, the gardens, the SONNENTOR Frei-Hof or the SONNENTOR shop.
Infrastructure
Our Organic Restaurant Leibspeis’
We live and breathe having meals together at SONNENTOR, and that tradition has carried over into our Organic Inn Leibspeis‘. Reserve your table right now per mail at: leibspeis@sonnentor.at. All we need is your name, phone number, number of guests, date and time. We will contact you as soon as possible with a confirmation of your reservation.
You need a good reason to visit our inn?
There are several more HERE!
Where Tea Pyramids, Flower Blossoms, Sun Kisses & Guardian Angels (all types of tea) are right at home.
How wonderful it smells here, how aromatically beguiling! The colourful herbs, spices, tea, coffee, snacks and sweets are by no means all that catches the eye when you enter the SONNENTOR shop. SONNENTOR organic cosmetics, accessories, gifts and literature are also available for you to test and acquaint yourself with.
It’s a good thing the friendly staff can lead all visitors through the immense abundance of delicacies with competence. If you would like to know more about our range before your visit, or re-order your favourite products, the entire range of SONNENTOR products can be explored in our online shop.
Hiking Trails & Herb Gardens
Around the SONNENTOR Experience you will find interesting themed gardens and hiking trails amid the most beautiful Waldviertel nature.
On a lively, and entertaining, herbal trail between Sprögnitz and Engelbrechts, which is 7 km long and pushchair-friendly, you can enjoy and discover the varieties of herbs from SONNENTOR.
The cultural history of herbal knowledge and the effects of these valuable natural remedies are presented on 16 signs along the herb trail. Learn about exciting stories and myths regarding the most important local herbs.
Please note: Our outdoor areas are CLOSED: November – April!
Seminars & Workshops
Firmly rooted in the rural idyll of the Waldviertel, the extensive SONNENTOR Seminar Programme offers all herbal lovers inspiration, balance and self-improvement, whether you are an inquisitive first-timer or a connoisseur seeking a little time out. Visitors can look forward to comprehensive insights into the herbal worlds of fragrance and taste, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Learn more about a future-oriented economy, ecological sustainable gardening and traditional handcrafts. We approach new insights with the benefit of our traditional knowledge gained through years of experience, and work together to find solutions for a better future.
At the SONNENTOR Experience, visitors can look forward to a successful combination of “Time-out and Extra Time” for the spirit and soul.
Opening Times
For more information on our OPENING TIMES, see >>HERE.
Prices
Prices for the SONNENTOR Company Tour and SONNENTOR Frei-Hof Tour:
EUR 10.00 Adult
Children under 6 years are free
EUR 7,00 Children 6-15 years
EUR 7.00 Student Group
EUR 9.00 Student & Senior
EUR 9.00 Group (20 people or more)
Duration of each tour – approx. 60 minutes
Prices for the SONNENTOR Frei-Hof Special Tour
EUR 200.00 Group (under 10 people) Flat Rate
EUR 20.00 Group (10 or more people)
Duration approx. 90 minutes