Organic Pioneering Work in South Tyrol: APIPURA Hotel Rinner Focuses on Organic Products, Environmental Protection and Family Friendliness

From the rooftop terrace, you can see the sunny plateau and the peaks of the Dolomites. The water of the outdoor whirlpool gently bubbles, and relaxed conversations between guests on the deck chairs mingle with the sounds of nature and the rustling of the coniferous forest. The air smells of pine needles, flowers – and honey. Like almost everywhere at APIPURA hotel rinner.

From Apiary to Organic Fair Hotel

The Rinner family has been operating the APIPURA for over 50 years. Initially, it was not a guest house but a beekeeping business. An apiary was to be constructed in this sheltered location on the Renon high plateau in South Tyrol. Complete with a workshop, extractor room, and accommodation for the beekeeper. This led to the idea of not only fulfilling the dream of having an apiary but also that of having their own guest house.

Since that time, the Rinner family and the hotel itself have experienced a period of significant change. The global pandemic has had a profound impact on the hospitality business, as Manfred Rinner, the junior manager and head chef, confirms. The pandemic has provided an opportunity to make the entire establishment more sustainable. This is a logical next step following the in-house beekeeping's year-long organic certification.

Good to know: Bioland

Bioland Südtirol was established in 1991 by ten fruit growers and now comprises over 1,000 farms. The organization's members share a commitment to climate, soil, and nature conservation. They implement measures to promote soil fertility, prioritize species-appropriate animal husbandry, utilize natural resources responsibly, and produce valuable food. The label is considered to be more rigorous than the EU organic label and is held in high regard.

The Rinner family has implemented a number of sustainable practices at APIPURA, including the use of eco-certified cleaning products and printed materials, reusable drinking bottles for guests, and waste avoidance in the kitchen. Energy is sourced from the Renon district heating plant, which is powered by wood and wood waste from certified regional cultivation. The water for watering the garden is taken from a large rainwater storage tank, while the drinking water comes from the regional mountain spring on the Rittner Horn.

Sustainable and Organic in the Kitchen

The kitchen team around Manfred Rinner has always paid attention to the finest quality and regionality when it comes to food. Organic quality is therefore standard. This commitment was further reinforced with the redesign and development of the hotel.

In the course of the redesign, Manfred Rinner became part of a working group that promoted the Bioland gastronomy concept in South Tyrol. It is based on the German concept. "But we didn't just adopt the concept from Germany, no, we had to make it even better", explains Manfred Rinner with a smile. 

The gastronomy concept prioritizes organic products from the region. Its goal is to support local (max. 200 km radius) organic farming. Additionally, (imported) products must be produced under fair conditions, particularly coffee, cocoa, tea, raw cane sugar, and tropical fruit.

Good to know: “Bio Fair Südtirol” at a Glance

In 2022, Bio Fair Südtirol introduced a new gastronomy concept based on the German model. This concept is divided into three levels: Bronze (organic content of 30%), Silver (organic content of 60-90%) and Gold (organic content of 90-100%). In addition to organic, the regional and fair criteria are also important for the classification. The project also serves to network organic businesses and local tourism companies and ensures transparency for guests.

Pilot Project:  “Bio Fair Südtirol” APIPURA hotel rinner

The APIPURA hotel rinner could be described as a pilot project for the Bioland concept. It took roughly two years for the hotel to achieve silver status. According to Manfred Rinner, the most challenging aspect was sourcing regional organic products. Despite his long-standing relationships with local farmers, many products essential to a hotel kitchen are not available in sufficient quantities in South Tyrol, with its 1,000 businesses. Therefore, they had to be imported. 

The transition was challenging on a personal level as well, as long-time partners and friends had to cease working together. Additionally, the quantities required for a hotel had to be considered. Small quantities result in significant waste, although “Bio Fair Südtirol” has already achieved initial successes and made larger containers possible. New partnerships have also been established and will continue to be formed. For instance, with the cattle farmer Walter Rottensteiner, who raises Wagyu and Simmental cattle on the Renon and is located only a few minutes away.

APIPURA has been the first hotel in South Tyrol to carry the "Bio Fair Südtirol" seal since this year. This demonstrates that it is possible to offer organic, mostly regional products, paired with selected fairly traded imported products from organic farming.

“Bio Fair Südtirol”: A Snapshot of the APIPURA Hotel's Initiatives and Partners

• Organic honey products from the hotel's organic apiary
• Bread from the organic bakery Messner
• Organic dairy products from the dairies of Brixen and Sterzing
• Organic eggs from the Lechnerhof farm in Val Pusteria
• Organic beef and chicken from Öbersthof in Feldthurns and Weberhof in Mittelberg am Ritten
• Organic pork and veal from Sonnberg organic butchery
• Fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmer Stefan depending on the season
• Additional partners: Biokistl, Ökoring, Foppa, Frilo, Galloni

A Family-run Hotel for Families

Guests have responded well to the new concept. The regulars, who make up almost 60% of the clientele, have stayed. "Despite the organic food," the Rinner family notes with a wink. New guests, on the other hand, are coming precisely because of the hotel's focus on organic and sustainable practices. Families, in particular, feel at home here, as the owners know exactly what they need: a large garden with a playground set back from the terrace but still in view, a weekly children's program (in cooperation with other family-friendly establishments), and a playroom for rainy days.

Every Monday, Senior Manager Paul Rinner gives a tour of the apitherapy apiary and explains everything about ApiWellness and how bee products work.

Good to know: ApiWellness and Therapy

ApiWellness refers to the use of bee products such as honey, propolis, or wax in the wellness sector. This type of wellness is particularly prevalent in Eastern Europe but is also gaining traction in the West.

Apitherapy is a specialized form of ApiWellness that involves inhaling air from the beehive. The air is gently extracted from the hive using a specialized device, without disturbing the bees. The inhaler absorbs the substances contained in the air, such as pollen, wax, propolis, etc. This is said to have a soothing effect on respiratory diseases and allergies, while at the same time calming the mind.

The rooftop spa is another ideal venue for unwinding. You can exclusively reserve it for private use for two, for either breakfast or an after-dinner wellness session with a Jacuzzi and sauna.

Sustainability goes beyond the hotel's doors. The hosts happily assist guests in traveling by train. With the RittenCard, included for all guests during their stay, public transportation and the cable car to Bolzano are available at no additional cost. For guests arriving by train, the hotel offers a 50% discount on the daily rental of e-bikes. Furthermore, as a partner of the bike hosts on the Ritten, guests can participate in free guided bike tours every week.

Visions for the Future

As a pioneer and trailblazer in organic food and practices on the Renon and in South Tyrol, Manfred Rinner is leveraging his role to inspire others. For instance, he takes part in a regular exchange between 12 restaurateurs. Additionally, he aims to encourage individuals outside the gastronomy scene to rethink their approach. His objective is 100% organic, preferably sourced from the region. However, there are still some suppliers and producers missing for that. Nevertheless, it demonstrates that it typically only requires one visionary, or in this case, the collaboration of two entities, namely the APIPURA hotel and Bioland Südtirol, to initiate change within an entire region and encourage others to join in. This is because the conversion of the hotel to organic also increases the demand for organic products from the surrounding area. With the guaranteed purchase of such products, it is easier for farmers and producers to make the switch themselves. This development is not necessarily about growth, but about quality, as Manfred Rinner summarizes in an interview with Bioland.

For more information, please visit the hotel's microsite at Green Pearls® and the hotel's website. Inquiries for additional information and images should be directed to press@greenpearls.com