Sustainability at the Apple Farm
Working with nature requires a certain calm. The weather is what it is, and each day can bring surprises, challenges, and joys. But when the climate changes, altering the long-term conditions of nature, calm alone won’t suffice. That’s when action is needed. Here is our approach, our ideas, and the steps we’re taking.
“The Ritten is my home. I grew up here on a farm. For us, it was always natural to see farming as a give-and-take.” Thomas Kohl has worked long enough on the apple farm to witness how this symbiosis with nature has evolved.
It has always been like this. Thomas Kohl explains, “The weather is one thing, the climate another. For example, the harvest time has shifted slightly over the years and will continue. The exact start date of the harvest depends on the weather.”
Looking after nature – for the farmer, this means securing the future. Many eco-friendly measures have been in place for a long time. Others are being implemented, and some are still in the planning stages.
Of Bees & Blossoms in the Apple Orchard
Without bees, there would be no apples. That much is clear. When spring arrives, our orchards buzz with activity. But the bees do not appear in sufficient numbers on their own. So, our neighbour brings beehives and places them right in the middle of this bee paradise.
The famously industrious bees pollinate the apple blossoms, making the growth of apples possible. In return, they gather honey, which we sell in our farm shop. It’s our favourite example of a regional partnership that contributes to a sustainable ecosystem.
What’s Left of the Apple
Our apples take a short trip: from the orchard, they go straight to the press. What remains after pressing is called pomace. We deliver this to local farmers, who value it as animal feed. From the same farmers, we receive precious manure, which we use to nourish our apple trees. A smart cycle that feeds both the soil and our hearts!
Solar Power: Photovoltaics
With over 300 sunny days a year, coupled with fresh mountain air and our valuable water, we have the best conditions for growing apples. But we wanted more: to capture the sunlight and use it for energy production.
The photovoltaic system on our roof covers nearly all our energy needs, reducing our CO2 footprint in a sustainable way. This makes our apple juice truly “Sunshine in a Bottle”!
A World Without Plastic
Plastic just doesn’t fit with who we are. For the past two years, we’ve been shipping online orders without using any plastic. We protect the bottles with a paper bubble wrap and seal the boxes with paper tape. This way, our apple juice travels safely and sustainably.
Out of the Box: Apple Paper
Picture this: you’ve ordered a large quantity of apple juice from our online shop. The postman rings twice, delivering the package. You remove the paper tape and unwrap the bottles from their paper sleeves. Inside, you find a flyer we’ve included. It’s made from apple paper, produced by a South Tyrolean company using apple waste. Even our letterheads, envelopes, and business cards are made from this creative material. Good for the environment and delightfully charming.
Paper Neckbands
For about a year, our small bottles have worn a chic paper neckband. And soon, we’ll be able to switch our 750ml bottles as well. This will mean the end of the plastic capsule!
The Apples of Tomorrow
Our journey towards sustainability is a continuous process. We are constantly searching for innovative technologies and methods to keep our cycles running ever more efficiently. From effective water management to resource-conserving production processes, sustainability is our goal at every step of the way.
“Every sip of my premium apple juices represents a balance of pleasure, responsibility, and respect for nature. Today, we’re laying the foundations for the apples that will hang from the trees many years from now.”
– Thomas Kohl