HIDDEN GUEST: Hotel Taggenbrunn

TWO FAMILY COMPANIES, ONE VISION OF TAGGENBRUNN

LOCATION

Does the name Alfred Riedl have a familiar ring? What about the Jacques Lemans brand? Most people associate both names with the Swiss watchmaking industry. The story behind the brand is a story of serendipity and family success. Fifty years ago, the story of the elegant watchmaking and jewellery brand began in a tiny Carinthian hamlet. Today, the brand is the pride and joy of the inhabitants of Sankt Veit an der Glan. The owner, Alfred Riedl, has remained loyal to his birthplace and is a shining example of an entrepreneur who invests and sees his brand regeneratively. He bought the remains of the Taggenbrunn Castle from the government and transformed it into an exceptional estate through a decade of painstaking renovation. The castle is perched on a hill overlooking the town that has always been a strategic traffic crossroads. Guests visiting the estate can enjoy stunning views from every angle. However, the success story of the family-owned Riedl company does not end here. When two entrepreneurial family companies join forces, progress is unavoidable. In 2024, the Riedl family partnered with the Jezeršek catering company, one of the leading regional gastronomic companies. The cooperation between both families has evolved into an exceptional story. We recommend visiting the unique castle and estate in this phenomenal location and organising your event here. You can trust the professional Jezeršek team to dish out delectable dishes during your stay. A similarly fantastic location is hard to find in the region.

ACCESSIBILITY

You will need to drive by car to reach the estate and castle. That should be a piece of cake, as motorway connections are excellent in this part of Austria. Klagenfurt is only fifteen kilometres away via a well-maintained four-lane motorway. The parking spaces are tidy, illuminated and abundant. Even for huge events, parking represents no problem. Thanks to a spread-out network of trains and buses, alternative modes of transport are excellent in Austria. Air accessibility is a different story. The entire region of Carinthia shares the same faith – the local airport does not offer many connections. Hence, travellers have to rely on airports in Ljubljana and Graz.

The infrastructure, spacious parking and scenic setting render Hotel Taggenbrunn perfect for automotive events. We can easily imagine a car launch in the spacious courtyard, in front of the wine cellar or at one of the many Instagrammable mini-locations within the estate. The conditions for servicing vehicles are equally impressive. We do not doubt car brands will recognise the potential in the future. The owners should consider installing electric charging stations for guests with EVs.

COLD STARTER – Architecture and aesthetics

The overall design appears refined, thought-out and aesthetically balanced, functioning as a holistic entity that bridges tradition and modernity.

The medieval fortress dating to the 12th century was left dilapidated for many years until the Riedl family gave it a new lease on life. The Carinthian architectural bureau Skape Architects was entrusted with the challenging renovation. The revamp included the fort, towers and interior rooms. The architects used traditional materials and techniques to preserve the authentic look. They also added modern architectural elements, including a panoramic lift that transports guests to the main entrance. The castle is home to one of the most unique event halls in the region, adjoined by a fantastic restaurant and museum. Three sun terraces that can double as event venues represent a competitive advantage. Above all, the Jezeršek-operated boutique hotel is perfect for events. The rolling wine hills around the hotel are blanketed by 45 hectares of vineyards. A modern wine cellar is the hotel’s best-kept secret. Architecturally, the tidy terraces and event venues make the hotel stand out from competitors. The Granary has preserved its original look, while the wine hall with a view is a space where we can easily imagine weddings.

WARM ENTRÉE – The staff and the culinary experience

Wherever the Jezeršek brand expands, the cuisine is guaranteed to amaze. In this case, the splendid menu was inspired and curated by Masterchef Luka Jezeršek. We recommend tasting the four-course or five-course menu that fuses modern, sophisticated flavours with elements of authentic cuisine based on seasonal ingredients, local flavours and creative takes on traditional dishes. The menu changes according to season. The wine story is chiefly local, from Taggenbrunn’s wine cellar. Among the star dishes of the spring menu were spinach gnocchi with strawberries and fermented asparagus, followed by a tarragon roll that elevated the succulent pork loin. We were fascinated by seasonal ingredients, including asparagus, buckwheat and turnip and the umami sweet-and-salty flavours. The structure of the menu was elegant, while the genteel staff members enriched the overall experience. Although the season had not started during our stay, the team ensured a memorable overall experience. You can look forward to a similarly impressive catering experience when organising an event here. The possibilities of where and how to serve your guests are endless. It is delightful to see such a unique venue managed by professionals who know the event business inside out.

MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel

Hotel rooms

Upon setting foot in the hotel room, we were embraced by the pleasant odour of pinewood that envelops the walls, furniture, television stand and bed. The architects combined the wooden elements with dark-hued leather. We must admit that we could not get enough of the warmth and elegance of the wood. The same goes for the panoramic vistas of the vineyards lining the estate. Massive wooden flooring and a Persian carpet imbue the room with luxury, intimacy, warmth and timeless elegance. The bathroom, combining wood and dark maroon hues, oozes prestige. We were impressed by the firm bed that ensures sweet dreams. We slept unperturbed, thanks to the exceptionally quiet air-conditioning and the absence of any disturbing light. All electronic devices are managed intuitively and with ease. Business guests will appreciate the spacious workspace, including a wide table with enough space for remote work.

Meetings centre

A slew of event venues and halls are available within the estate, kitted out with the latest technology that enables the execution of various events:

Concert Hall (700 attendees): ideal for large-scale business events, concerts and conferences.
Weinberg Hall (200 attendees): perfect for elegant dinners, weddings and receptions.
Granary (100 or 120 attendees): two flexible halls for seminars and banquets
Pine house (8 attendees): exclusive house for private soirees and meetings.
Seminar room in the castle (55 attendees): optimal for workshops and business events.
Sky Loft: panoramic location with a stunning view of the vineyards.

DESSERT – The extras

As you arrive at the estate, the imposing sculpture of the wine queen, flanked by the vineyards, ensures a wow effect. The changing colours of the vines create a unique image every season of the year. We were surprised by the complexity of the estate and the story that combines the hotel with the restaurant and museum.

FLOP – UNPLEASANT SURPRISES

We did not experience any flops but found some space for improvement. As the resort pivots to year-round operation, a sauna would be an excellent addition in cold months.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Taggenbrunn is home to the most expansive wine cellar in Austrian Carinthia. The mineral-rich wine terroir is characterised by slate soil and a sun-drenched location. The in-house enologist Hubert Vittori has been making sophisticated wines from select white wine sorts, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Traminer, Muscat and red wine sorts such as Zweigelt, Pinot Noir and Syrah. The grapes have an express travel route from the vineyard to the cellar. That and the meticulous wine production process contribute to the quality of the final product.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

The Jezeršek family belongs among those restaurateurs who sincerely believe in sustainability. Respecting food and culinary tradition is the foundation of every culinary experience under their brand. At Taggenbrunn Castle, they set precise guidelines for sustainable action covering four key fields: seasonality, locality, quality and waste reduction. In no time, they established fruitful cooperation with local suppliers, farmers and other providers that deliver fresh juice, meat, fish, pasta, dairy and other products. By doing so, Jezeršek supports the local community, preserves cultural heritage and ensures the implementation of sustainable measures.

FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY

Hotel Taggenbrunn is like a home away from home. The ambience is welcoming, charming and exceptionally friendly. What contributes to the charm is the abundance of wood with a pleasant odour. The estate seems godsent for event organisers. The inspiring story of a dilapidated castle’s revamp has led to a world-class event venue. You will struggle to find any other venue that offers as many possibilities for organising a superb event as Taggenbrunn. This venue is an ideal incentive location, a space for launching new products, organising corporate teambuilding, celebrating anniversaries and hosting political events and summits of the highest level. The Jezeršek team will help you every step of the way and thrill you with a fantastic boutique hotel. The holistic experience offered by Taggenbrunn is the definition of a prestigious event location that combines rich heritage, innovative cuisine, top-tier architecture and a sustainable mindset. The estate represents the future of sustainable and authentic tourism, which we welcome with open arms.

FINAL GRADE: 4.96 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Boutique Meeting Hotel 

3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60

IMPORTANT: If you wish to know what the evaluation of 654 criteria entails and would like our hidden guest to evaluate your hotel, read more at www.meetings-star.eu or send an email to gorazd.cad@toleranca.eu.