Sustainability
Our vigorously growing tree rootstocks are not in competition with conventional fruit growing; rather, they represent a clear commitment to the enjoyment and flavor of meadow fruit. Trees with an extensively branched root system live in symbiosis with fungi, allowing them to receive essential micronutrients in exchange for their own resilience. The tree requires these micronutrients for its complex metabolic processes, and at the same time they are stored in the meadow fruit itself, making them highly valuable for us as a foundation for maintaining our own health. We therefore cultivate our meadow fruit with a continuous focus on strengthening the plants, inspired by biodynamic practices — however, without the use of organic plant protection products.
Out of Love for Nature – More Than Organic Farming
This approach also enables us to preserve our meadows as refuges for countless species of insects, birds, small animals, and diverse plant life.
The continuous planting of new trees is an essential part of our philosophy. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers planted and tended vigorous, long-lived trees whose harvests allow us to create our specialties today. We, too, are planting trees now so that we can pass on unique meadow fruit to the next generation.
This form of deeply sustainable agriculture is therefore always a promise to the next generation. The interplay of key measures leads to sustainable and regenerative farming:
- Improving the soil microbiome and initiating symbioses as the basis for resilient trees
- Strengthening plants instead of relying on organic plant protection
- Creating and preserving small structures and habitats for nature in the form of flower strips, hedges, and fallow areas
- Bird protection and the promotion of beneficial species for ecological stability
- Closed-loop agriculture – using fruit pomace to produce high-quality bokashi, which we apply together with brushwood woodchips as an energy source for soil metabolism, thereby minimizing the need for purchased organic fertilizers
- Continuous replanting of vigorous WiesenObst trees
Out of Love for Life – Our Liquid meadow fruit specialties
Meadow fruit is the foundation of our products and therefore their very heart. From the delivery of the raw fruit to its ripening, processing, composition, and finally bottling, every step takes place in our manufactory. Due to the traditional cultivation methods and the use of old varieties, the fruit naturally contains high levels of acidity and tannins — an excellent and authentic foundation for all meadow fruit specialties. Not only the ancient giant trees, but also the people involved are key to the success of our meadow fruit creations. This is why we want to help people feel proud once again of the fruits of their labor and create meaning by showing the exceptional flavor quality hidden in old fruit varieties and old-grown trees. This inspires us every day to strive for perfection.
Making the most of the added value of Swabian meadow fruit:
- Voluntary commitment to using meadow fruit as the sole basis for our products
- Supply from 320 meadow fruit growers with more than 20,000 vigorous, landscape-shaping trees within a radius of no more than 50 km
- Socially responsible relationships with suppliers, customers, and partners
- Communication at eye level and fair pricing
- Donations and endowments supporting nature conservation instead of profit distribution
Out of Love for Our Employees – Our Values
Respect – Trust – Mindfulness
What has made us so strong?
It was not only respect for nature and for each other’s work, but also the trust we place in every individual within the company and the mindfulness we show one another. These are the foundations of our ongoing success. We aim to further cultivate and embody these essential values so that every day becomes a meaningful day.
A variety of individual measures support this positive togetherness:
- Training and developing our own skilled workers
- Continuing education opportunities for all employees
- Individual support and personal development
- Sharing lunch together
- Team events and a strong sense of unity
Out of Love for Our Children – Knowledge for the Future
Knowledge is the foundation of a successful and sustainable company, as well as of progress and a livable future. Through guided tours, we aim to share a small part of this knowledge with the public, fostering awareness and understanding of nature and its interconnections.
In close exchange with various associations and projects, we strive to generate and apply knowledge about WiesenObst, breeding, and sustainable agriculture in the best possible way.
Our membership and co-founding role in the following associations and projects is based on this commitment:
- Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Old Fruit Varieties – Rettet die Champagner Bratbirne e.V.
- Foundation for the Preservation and Promotion of Old Fruit Varieties and Traditional Farming
- WiesenObst e.V.
- LIFE Project – Bird Protection in Traditional Orchard Meadows
- Support of social projects, e.g., Mukoviszidose e.V. Göppingen, through a donation of €0.50 per bottle sold of “Engelsflügel”