2025
Innovation award
On 1 December 2025, the Gesäuse Partner network presented its seventh annual innovation award for the most exciting, sustainable and innovative ideas and projects in the region. The Gesäuse Innovation Award 2025 was presented for the most innovative, sustainable and forward-looking projects in the region: 1st place: Das Rösthaus (Admont) – coffee culture with depth, 2nd place Villmannsdorfgarten (Rottenmann) – vegetables with vision and 3rd place Gesäuse Adventure Golf (St. Gallen) – an experience with a regional connection. The prizes were awarded during the Gesäuse Partners' annual general meeting at Gasthof Hensle in St. Gallen, which was attended by around 100 partners.
1st place
Das Rösthaus
Markus Schweinberger has quickly risen to the top with his "Rösthaus" in Admont. Since 2024, he has been running a coffee roastery with a cosy café in the heart of the Gesäuse region, focusing on high-quality, freshly roasted coffee in the Italian style. The beans are shipped via Trieste from countries such as Uganda, Nicaragua, Colombia, Brazil, India and Costa Rica, and are carefully selected and gently refined. His passion for roasting has resulted in varieties with evocative names such as "Gesäuse Selection", "Waldboden", "Platzhirsch" and "Hochtor", which guests can taste on site. For this combination of craftsmanship, regionality and enjoyment, Markus Schweinberger was awarded first place in the Gesäuse Innovation Prize in 2025.
2nd place
Villmannsdorfgarten
With her Villmannsdorfgarten in Rottenmann, Michaela Schweiger-Pfarrsbacher has shown how much power lies in a single piece of land. Her small, exquisite market garden grows vegetables that are not only incredibly fresh, but also cultivated with genuine dedication, organic methods and a wealth of knowledge about regenerative farming. Every carrot, every head of lettuce, every tomato tells a story of love for the soil, diversity and an approach that shows what sustainable agriculture can look like in the Liezen district.
From May to October, foodies can pick up their harvest directly from the farm – seasonal, crisp and so regional that you can almost smell the garden on your fingers. For this work, for her courage in making small-scale vegetable farming visible, and for the quality that can be tasted in every bite, Michaela was awarded 2nd place in the Innovation Award.
3rd place
Gesäuse Adventure Golf
With the new Gesäuse Adventure Golf Course at the St. Gallen Water Adventure Park, Manuela Eichenmüller is bringing a completely new leisure experience to the valley: 18 XXL courses made of artificial turf, accessible, lovingly integrated into the landscape and each one inspired by places, stories and peaks of the Gesäuse.
This turns "mini golf" into a real journey of discovery for families, school classes and groups of friends – playful, close to nature and with a clear commitment to the region.
For her courage in developing an innovative offering right in the heart of the Gesäuse, Manuela Eichenmüller was awarded 3rd place in the Innovation Prize – whetting our appetite for the first round of adventure golf from Easter 2026.
Special prices
This year, there were a particularly large number of strong entries. Every idea was of high quality and each one deserved recognition. That is why we awarded special prizes in addition to the main prizes.
Projects in the categories of cooperation, digitalisation, health, charity, arts and crafts, and agriculture were honoured. They demonstrate how diverse and forward-looking our region is and how much commitment lies behind all these initiatives.
The special prizes are our way of recognising people who enrich the Gesäuse with their ideas.
Die Ardninger Beerenbrüder
Special Award for Agriculture
We are presenting this award to Patrick Eckmann for his outstanding contribution to regional diversity, sustainable agriculture and culinary enjoyment in the Gesäuse region.
Gesäuse Hide Out
Special Health Award
We are presenting this award to Anna Pribil for her special contribution to peace, strength and mental health in the Gesäuse region.
Mit Liab söwa gmocht
Special prize for arts and crafts
We are awarding this prize to Doris Remschak for her special contribution to regional creativity, artistic craftsmanship and nature-inspired design.
What´s new in the "Alter Kasten"
Special Prize for Charity Work
We are awarding this prize to Veronika Franz for her outstanding contribution to encounters, culture and shared experiences in the Gesäuse region.
Ulli is cooking
Special Award for Digitalisation
For their outstanding contribution to modern communication, regional cuisine and digital visibility in the Gesäuse region, we are presenting this award to Admont Abbey and Ulrich Matlschweiger.
Gesäuse Hüttenrunde *vegan Edition
Special Cooperation Award
For their outstanding contribution to active cooperation, culinary diversity and innovation at the Gesäuse mountain huts, we are presenting this award to the Gesäuse hut owners and the Gesäuse Tourist Board.
