FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all production takes place in the Mostviertel (Niederösterreich). From growing and processing right through to bottling – everything stays in the region.
Miscanthus is a fast-growing ornamental grass used as a renewable raw material for heating. Farthofer grows it on its own fields and uses it as an eco-friendly fuel for the distillery.
Every by-product is put to use: spent mash as fertiliser, pomace as animal feed, fruit stones as fuel, and ash as a soil nutrient. Nothing leaves the cycle as waste.
Yes, our entire production is organic-certified. All raw materials come from certified organic farming, predominantly from our own agricultural estate.
In Austria, there is a historic distilling right tied to the farmstead, dating back to the era of Empress Maria Theresia. It permitted farmers to distil schnapps from their own fruit – a right that has been passed down through generations on the Farthofer farm.
Complete control over the value chain: our own organic farming, an in-house malting house, and distillation and bottling handled entirely on our own terms. Add to that a consistently sustainable circular economy and a specialisation in rare, partly protected grain varieties.
The family tradition dates back to 1867. Josef Farthofer runs the operation as the fifth generation and has evolved it from a traditional cider farm into an internationally award-winning organic distillery.
No, the Meierhofkeller is not part of the Stiftskeller.
The Meierhofkeller is located in the area of the Stiftsmeierhof, which sits directly next to Stift Seitenstetten but is an independent complex in its own right. Historically, the Meierhof was the working heart of the monastery – responsible for farming, supplies and storage – while the monastery itself serves as the religious centre.
Booking is simple – just use our contact form on the website.
We'll then get back to you with all the details and available dates.Yes, combining your visit with our other locations – Malzwelt and Mostelleria – is absolutely possible.
Please let us know your preferences when submitting your enquiry via the contact form.Price for the combined guided tour:€39 per person
Yes, an exclusive guided tour of the Meierhofkeller is available upon request.
The duration is approximately 90 minutes.The cellar offers almost endless space for barrels — we will store up to 2,500 barrels here.
We are currently still in the process of building up — around 250 barrels are stored on site at the moment.Yes. We advise on recipe, alcohol strength, positioning and technical questions – from the very first idea through to a market-ready product.
That depends on the product. Pure distillation projects can be realised within a few weeks. Whisky projects require at least three years due to the legally required maturation period.
Yes. We offer contract malting – including for smaller batches and specialty grains.
Yes. From the recipe and distillation through to the finished, labelled bottle, we offer complete white-label solutions.
Yes. We have been Bio-certified since 2003 and can process organic grain from our own farm or other certified raw materials.
Yes, minimum quantities depend on the product and scope of the project. Small batches are possible, especially for special projects. We'll work out the details in a personal conversation.
90 minutes.
During malting, enzymes are activated that convert starch into sugar – the foundation for fermentation later on. At the same time, different aromatic profiles develop depending on the temperatures used during kilning.
Lighter malt produces clean, grainy notes.
More heavily kilned malt can develop nutty, caramel or chocolatey nuances.Combined with the grain variety, distillation and cask maturation, this is what shapes the individual character of every single Farthofer whisky.
Yes, absolutely. At our distillery & malting house in Biberbach, we offer guided tours with insights into:
our organic farming
the malting process
the distillation
our cask maturation
as well as tastings of New Make and aged whiskies
As we take personal time for each of our guests, we kindly ask you to book in advance.
Across our 45 hectares of organic farming in Biberbach, we grow the following varieties, among others:
Naked barley
Brewing barley
Schlägler rye
Brewing wheat "Hermann"
Emmer (ancient grain)
Naked oats
We list the exact origin of our grain on our whisky labels – including the field name and coordinates. This level of transparency is truly exceptional in the world of spirits.
Malt is crucial to the aroma, body and character of a whisky. High-quality organic malt is essential for Bio whisky – and for rare grain varieties in particular, it is barely available from industrial sources.
With our own malting house, we are able to:
process small batches individually
produce specialty malts in a variety of styles
craft single-variety ancient grain whiskies
guarantee full transparency over the origin and processing of our ingredients
This way, we keep quality in our own hands – from germination all the way to the cask.
Our Malzwelt brings together organic farming, our own malting house and distillation all under one roof. We grow our own grain, have been malting it in our in-house drum malting house since 2018, and distil it into characterful organic whiskies.
Very few distilleries in the German-speaking world have their own malting house on site. This means we operate independently of the international malt market and can also work with rare heritage grains such as emmer wheat and naked oats.
Our guiding principle is: From field to bottle.
Yes – the Mostelleria is considered one of the most special excursion destinations in the Mostviertel.
What awaits you:
Historic vaulted cellar dating from 1874
Largest traditional pear orchard in Europe (over 12,000 trees)
Show distillery
Tastings & experience-led guided tours
Sustainable Mostbaron operation
Thanks to its location in the heart of the Mostviertel, your visit can be perfectly combined with hiking or cultural day trips.
We kindly ask that you enjoy alcohol responsibly – for us, it's all about savouring every moment.
In the Mostelleria shop you will find:
our protected pear dessert wine Mostello
Bio fruit brandies and liqueurs
Whisky from our own Malzwelt malting house
award-winning O•Vodka
Gin, Rum and rare finds
regional fine food products
All spirits come from our own production – organically certified and crafted with full transparency.
"Tischlein deck dich" is our individually configurable tasting concept.
With just a few clicks, you put together your personal tasting:
Who will you be joining us with?
Which spirits would you like to taste?
Would you like to enjoy a Mostviertler Jause alongside?
The result is a tailor-made indulgence experience – whether as a couple, with friends, or as a team.
Yes, we regularly offer guided tours and tastings.
You can:
join a classic guided tour
put together an individual tasting ("Tischlein deck dich")
give a voucher as a gift
book as a group or company
For groups, companies, or special occasions, we recommend booking early.
The Mostelleria is our listed, heritage-protected press house dating back to 1874, located on the village square of Öhling in the Mostviertel.
Since 2010, this historic building has served as the production, sales, and tasting venue of our Bio distillery.Here you can experience:
Guided tours through our Erlebniswelt
Tastings of Bio spirits
An insight into our art of distilling
our shop featuring Mostello, fruit brandies, whisky, and regional fine foods
The Mostelleria brings together history, craftsmanship, and pleasure all in one place.
We provide high-quality product images, background information, and tasting notes on request. For special partnerships, we develop tailored solutions.
Yes. In addition to our regular retail bottles, we also offer large-format containers for further processing or private bottling. You'll find all the details in the "Products for Business Customers" section.
Deliveries within Austria are usually made within a few working days. For international deliveries, we coordinate logistics and timelines on an individual basis.
Yes. Through our 'Brand Partners' section we offer white-label and co-branding solutions – from the recipe all the way to the finished bottle.
Absolutely. We offer product tastings, background knowledge on the production process, and sensory training – on-site or at our Mostelleria.
Depending on the market and partnership, we consider regional exclusivities. Our goal is a sustainable and fair market structure.
Minimum quantities depend on the product and the market. Standard carton quantities are available for hospitality businesses. For exports or special editions, individual arrangements apply.
Yes. All of our farming has been certified organic since 2003. Our spirits are made exclusively from certified ingredients. We are happy to provide you with the relevant certificates upon request.