Between the gentle alpine meadows of Villnöss and the vast forests of Lüsen, something special is growing: an awareness of the true value of our food. Here, enjoyment does not mean consumption, but relationship. As the first "Slow Food Travel" destination in South Tyrol, we invite you to look behind the scenes.
Meet people who preserve ancient varieties and discover how time, craftsmanship, and respect for nature create authentic flavor. Good, clean, and fair.
Villnöss is proud to be the first Slow Food Travel destination in South Tyrol. We respect producers, work in harmony with the environment, and preserve local knowledge. The focus is on two special "Presidi" (protection projects):
With its dark eye rings, it looks at us like an old acquaintance: the Villnöss Spectacled Sheep (Villnösser Brillenschaf) is South Tyrol’s oldest sheep breed. Once nearly extinct, we owe its return to passionate breeders who recognized the value of this gentle animal.
It is perfectly adapted to life in the Dolomites. Its meat is particularly tender and mild thanks to the herb-rich diet on the alpine pastures. Its wool—soft, elastic, and warm—is once again being processed into high-quality products. An animal that doesn’t just provide resources, but shapes the land.
Robust, frugal, and sure-footed: Tyrolean Grey Cattle (Tiroler Grauvieh) belong to the Dolomites just like the rocks themselves. As one of the oldest cattle breeds in the Alps, it is a master of adaptation. It is not a high-performance animal for industry, but a partner for mountain farmers. It provides both: excellent milk for our cheese and meat of the highest quality. Its presence on the steep pastures maintains the cultural landscape and preserves a piece of Alpine identity.
Slow Food is a mindset that connects. It is about valuing food again—and the people who produce it. Good in taste, cleanin production, and fair in payment. As South Tyrol's first Slow Food Travel Destination, we live by these principles. Our farmers, hosts, and artisans work hand in hand to offer you products that don’t just satisfy your hunger, but make you happy.
Encounters at the Farm Theory is good, but experience tastes better. Get to know the people behind our Presidia. Visit their farms, look into the stables, and let them explain why passion is the most important ingredient.
Here, where the essence of alpine beauty comes alive. Where idyllic paths and authentic mindfulness make the true value of slowness tangible. Create your Dolomites moments.
