One imagines winter days of yesteryear on a South Tyrolean mountain farm as quiet and dark. In reality, it was as busy as a beehive – albeit a rather cosy one. For me, that hasn’t changed to this day. So it’s time to dispel a few myths and whet your appetite for candlelight, cosiness and a touch of nostalgia.
Task 1: Chopping wood for the winter on a mountain farm
Back then: Half of life on mountain farms revolved around wood. In winter, many farmers hauled the wood out of the forest on horse-drawn sledge, and this was considered one of the hardest jobs of all.
Today: I’ll be chopping and stacking wood again this year. After all, my new fireplace has quite an appetite.
Task 2: Stocking up on provisions
Back then: Whatever was to be served at the table in winter had to be in the house beforehand. In the run-up to Christmas, animals were slaughtered, and the speck was smoked over ‘Kranewittnstaudn’ – that is, juniper branches.
Today: In my bar, it’s currently stock-up time of a slightly different sort. My staff are drying fruit that will later adorn the drinks.
Task 3: Knitting, bobbin lace-making, lacing
Back then: The long winter evenings on the farms were spent doing needlework. Whatever the family needed, they made themselves. They spun, knitted, crocheted, sewed and made bobbin lace, and some even embroidered with quill pens. The wool was turned into yarn and warm socks for the coming winter.
Today: My farmhands tie up something different in winter: the loveliest holiday packages. Do have a look inside – perhaps there’s one just for you.
Task 4: Gathering together in the cosy farmhouse parlour
Back then: When winter reigned outside, life took place in the parlour. For a long time, it was the only heated room in the house. The farmer would take his afternoon nap on the stove bench, and in the evenings the neighbours would pop round for a natter.
Today: The basic principle hasn’t changed. In a parlour like this, the best conversations with guests happen all by themselves every day.
Task 5: Playing music
Back then: Once the work was done and everything had been said, people would play music in the parlour. Anyone who could play an instrument would get it out, and everyone sang anyway.
Today: At my place, the Oberraindlhof Trio performs. Elisabeth sings and plays the guitar or accordion, whilst Bernhard and Klaus Pfeifhofer accompany her. The trio plays on special occasions or simply on a lovely day.
Task 6: Planning the New Year
Back then: The South Tyrolean farming year didn’t begin until Candlemas on 2 February. That’s when it became clear which farmhands and maids would be staying on the farm for another year.
Today: We’re already making plans here. In the evenings, my farmhands go through what’s coming up over a good glass of wine: winegrowers’ evenings, Wine Week, the Christmas dinner.
As you can see, a farm in Schnals back then – and now – has no time for hibernation. And that’s just as well.
