Boutique-Schlosshotel Wartegg

In collaboration with Team Boutique-Schlosshotel Wartegg

Eating with soil awareness

The boutique castle hotel Wartegg on Lake Constance combines sustainable agriculture with a creative, regionally inspired cuisine. At its heart lies the hotel's own 2,500 m² Demeter castle garden, where herbs, vegetables, berries, and flowers flourish. The seasonal à la carte menu is guided as much as possible by the harvest yield, complemented by products from the adjacent ProSpecieRara variety garden.

Animal products are also processed with the utmost respect. A small flock of sheep is part of the castle family, and pasture slaughter ensures resource-efficient utilization. Additionally, whole animals are used—among them, Angus cattle from Enderlin farm, woolly pigs from Eugster farm, and fish from Lake Constance, caught by Timon Görtz. At the same time, a vegan menu option is always available.

Chefs Simon Romer and Thorsten Reichertz place great importance on training and mentor apprentices every year. Their philosophy is closely aligned with the vision of the castle: preserving healthy soil, promoting humus build-up in the garden, and leaving a fertile foundation for future generations.

A particular highlight is working with rare ProSpecieRara varieties, which are often more labor-intensive to process but offer exceptional flavor. Some varieties, such as black emmer wheat, are even cultivated exclusively for seed preservation.

FOKUSTHEMEN

Seasonal and Regional Cuisine
Schloss Wartegg is committed to aligning its cuisine with the changing seasons. The à la carte menu is largely determined by the harvest from the hotel’s own biodynamic castle garden, which is filled with herbs, vegetables, berries, and flowers. These seasonal ingredients, mostly sourced from the region, form the foundation of the dishes at Schloss Wartegg. Exotic ingredients are consciously avoided—instead, the focus is on what the garden has to offer each month.

Sustainability and Food Waste
Sustainability is a key priority at the castle. Food waste is minimized through targeted measures: there are no buffets that could lead to overproduction, and portion sizes are intentionally kept small, allowing guests to choose according to their appetite and reducing leftovers. Any food waste is composted and returned to the garden’s natural cycle, creating valuable humus for growing new produce.

Collaboration with Regional Producers
Schloss Wartegg maintains close partnerships with regional producers, working not only with farmers and fishermen but also with butchers and other artisans. These relationships are often built on friendship, with great emphasis placed on transparent and sustainable supply chains. Such partnerships not only ensure high quality but also support the local economy and promote resource-efficient production.

Organic Products and Quality
The kitchen at Schloss Wartegg prioritizes high-quality organic products—more than 90% of the ingredients used are certified organic. Notable distinctions such as BioCuisine 3* (formerly Bio Knospe), Slow Food, ProSpecieRara, and Demeter (for both the garden and sheep) underscore the high quality and sustainable production of the ingredients. The kitchen follows high artisanal standards, relying on fresh, minimally processed ingredients to ensure the best possible quality.

Vegetarian and Plant-Based Cuisine
Vegetarian cuisine plays a significant role at Schloss Wartegg. The kitchen philosophy ensures that a vegan menu is always available, created with the same commitment to seasonality and regionality as the other dishes. However, processed meat alternatives are deliberately avoided—instead, fresh and wholesome plant-based ingredients are used to highlight the natural flavors and quality of the dishes.

Whole Animal Utilization
A core principle of the Schloss Wartegg kitchen is the respectful use of the entire animal. From Angus cattle and woolly pigs to the castle’s own lambs, every part is utilized to minimize waste and foster a deeper appreciation for the animals. The kitchen processes not only prime cuts but also offal and bones, transforming them into flavorful dishes that showcase the full range of an animal’s culinary potential.

Environmental and Climate-Friendly Measures
Schloss Wartegg is actively committed to reducing its ecological footprint. Measures include plans for a solar panel installation on the outbuildings, continuous improvements in energy efficiency, and careful maintenance of kitchen and restaurant equipment to extend its lifespan and conserve resources. The historic building, dating back to 1557, is lovingly preserved, further contributing to sustainable resource management.

THEIR PRODUCERS

  • ProSpecieRara

    Rare plants

    Support the castle in preserving rare plant varieties such as black emmer, which are cultivated in the castle garden.
  • Aus dem eigenen Demeter-Schlossgarten

    Vegetabels, herbs, berries and flowers

    The biodynamic castle garden provides a variety of fresh ingredients that form the foundation of the cuisine.
  • Lehner’s Biohof

    organic apples

    Finest organic apples from Rorschacherberg.
  • Biobeck Lehmann

    Breads and pastries

    Crispy and delicious from the organic bakery Bio-Beck Lehmann.

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