Meet Matthias – story of a local from South Tyrol/ Italy
You can only get to know a country by meeting its locals. May I introduce you to Matthias, a local from South Tyrol/ Italy.
Community and values
‘One for all and all for one’ – that’s how they roll in Schenna. If someone is in trouble or needs help everyone pitches in for each other. ‘It’s always been like this and that’s how I was raised’, Matthias explains. Matthias is a 32 year old farmer from Schenna, South Tyrol– an autonomous province in Northern Italy. Tradition, solidarity and community play an important role in this region and those values are deeply rooted in the people – as it is in Matthias. Ever since he was young, Matthias has been involved in one of the community associations as an organiser. They arrange trips and events for the community members but they also organise traditional, cultural and social events for Schenna itself. Matthias also manages the fresh water supply for his village. The water that comes from the mountains is urgently needed for the various farms in the area. Seeing that food production (apples, wine, cheese and ham) in South Tyrol plays a vital role in the population’s life and livelihood, it is a huge responsibility and time consuming job Matthias does on the side.
His life as a farmer
With his wife Ruth, his daughter Anna and with his parents Matthias lives on an apple farm in a beautiful (and one of the oldest) buildings in Schenna. Ever since he was a child, he has had to help on his family’s farm. There was always something to do, he explains. In 2014 Matthias took over the farm from his father and is now the 6th generation running it. Besides South Tyrol’s dependence on food production, this region is also dependent on tourism – so is Matthias and his family. 10 years ago they built another house with 5 apartments which they rent out to tourists that go there in summertime for hiking and skiing in the wintertime.
Innovative idea at the right time
At some point renting out apartments and running an apple farm wasn’t profitable enough as the prices for apples dropped on the world market. Matthias had to think of another way of securing his and his family’s life. Since he has always been interested in making alcohol he turned his hobby into his second profession. Resolutely Matthias decided to create his own spirit and liquor brand.
He dealt with lots of bureaucracy for a long time but eventually managed to get licensed in making alcohol. He started off with 5 different types of spirits offering it to his guest only. Getting told that his brand had potential for something bigger Matthias decided that he is going to sell it at the farmers market soon and is also planning to organise tastings and guided tours on his farm. Right now he makes nut, apple, apricot, grappa and pear liquors but he is planning on making more flavours soon. He hopes that everything will work out in their favour. I wish him all the best.
Here you can get in touch with Matthias if you are interested in renting one of his apartments or in purchasing his spirits.
Watch my Vlog about Matthias making liquor on his farm:
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Would you like to read more stories about impressive people I have met during my trips? Here we go!
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Meet Nicky from Greece
Meet STG ´dBoss from Zimbabwe
Meet Sieglinde from South Tyrol
Kelly
Posted at 21:31h, 12 AugustThis is such a cool feature. It’s great to visit places, but I love learning more about the people and the culture.
Claudia
Posted at 21:38h, 12 AugustThanks Kelly. You are right. Its great to visit places but you can only get to know a country by meeting its people.
Natalie Anastasia
Posted at 22:51h, 12 AugustI love this post, Claudia! So often we see travel guides and tips but not often enough do we hear stories of the people who live there. When truly… that is the best way to understand a place!
Claudia
Posted at 00:21h, 13 AugustThank you Natalie – really appreciate your comment 🙂
Isadora Koller
Posted at 02:32h, 13 AugustI love this feature idea! Hearing the stories of the locals is the best way to learn more about the place and how life is there.
Claudia Bartsch
Posted at 13:20h, 13 AugustExactly – that´s what I want people to understand. You can only get to know a country by meeting it´s people.
Global Brunch
Posted at 13:24h, 13 AugustLove this! Meeting the locals is always such a great way to find out what living in a place is really like. His story sounds really interesting and I’m sure there would be plenty of people interested in doing his tours.
Jamie
Posted at 14:51h, 13 AugustLove this! It’s so true you get to know a place better by learning about the people who live there. It’s awesome to hear stories about people with innovative ideas.
Claudia Bartsch
Posted at 11:09h, 14 AugustExactly. I really enjoyed talking to him and learning about his life.
Vicki Viaja
Posted at 15:19h, 13 AugustThat’s nice principles they have about helping each other. It’s a really good idea getting to know a place from the local point of view. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Suze
Posted at 20:36h, 13 AugustThis was a fascinating insight into the life of a Tyrolean farmer. I wish we still had traditional costumes in the UK like they do in Austria! A great read
Claudia Bartsch
Posted at 11:07h, 14 AugustThank you. What kind of costumes did you have in the UK?