The strangely named Loretzhof VI farm has been in the Tappeiner family since the end of the 19th century. The peculiar moniker came about because there were seven farms in Silandro, all with the same name. The farm with the number VI is in the centre of the market town, which is the administrative centre of the Val Venosta, and the orchards are within the municipal limits.

Helene Tappeiner and her craftsman husband, Wolfgang, look after the farm on a part-time basis. They both see it as a healthy balance with their main jobs. They grow Golden Delicious apples, apricots, peaches, cherries and currants in the orchards, and at home they have vegetables and herbs in the garden.

"If you grow your own food then you can be sure of what you are getting," says Wolfgang. When their child was born in 1998, this husband and wife decided to convert their inherited orchards over to organics. They want to take more responsibility for maintaining their environment and are particularly keen on biodynamics. "Because you have to join in with the thinking process, and that really shows in the quality of the fruit!"