Nikola (45) and Achim März (43) want to leave the final decision on the future of the Widdersberger Ignazhof open until the end of the year. However, the way to change after Corona has already been prepared.
Widdersberg - A larger boiler will be set up in the next few days and they have already received a permit to turn the popular event threshing floor into five apartments.
Achim März took over the Ignazhof in 2004. Together with his wife Nikola, he renovated the living area and lovingly converted the threshing floor into a small, working farm museum. March has also been running his own distillery since 2011, in which he now not only distills fruit brandies, but also whiskey (we reported).
Up until now, the threshing floor was a popular event space for celebrations and meetings with up to 80 people. The couple put their heart and soul into the business - Achim März stood in the kitchen, his wife Nikola took care of the service. Distillery evenings with demonstrations and tastings were particularly popular. All of this has currently been reduced to zero. "From March on there was no more demand, instead there was no more," says the 43-year-old. According to the applicable distance rules, there is a maximum of 30 people in the barn. “Usually we can organize it in pairs,” says Achim März. But not with infection protection, “we would need support, and then it's no longer worth it. I pay extra ”. The thought of quitting is not an easy one for his wife Nikola in particular. As a trained banker, Achim März is the most convincing realist in the family. He also has the distillery.
In all the years of distilling schnapps, March has had a lot of fun with it. He can also expand this business area completely independently of Corona - in the company building a few hundred meters away from the house. The idea is to specialize in whiskey. The first one burned two years ago, since then it has been maturing in the barrel and will be marketable next year. A pre-tasting with friends a few weeks ago was promising, says Achim März with a big grin.
But the joy also gives way to him, thinking of the threshing floor. The granary on the top level has already been dismantled. The guest room still looks the same - still. Should it become apparent that the measures in the corona crisis have been tightened further, renovations will take place next spring. Five apartments ranging in size from 75 to 140 square meters have been approved. The March couple are lucky that the farm from 1660 is not a listed building. For the new distillery, there is also a beautiful, approximately 100 square meter room in the company building. The twelve whiskey barrels are currently stored in the cellar.
“My brother and I will pick up the new distillery on Saturday,” says Achim März. The old one with a capacity for mash of a maximum of 148 liters is sold. The new one can hold 300 liters of mash and has the advantage that it can be distilled indefinitely. Up until now, 300 liters of pure alcohol a year had ended. "We have already achieved that this year."
Achim März estimates that he can produce up to 3500 liters per year and that he could therefore make a living from distilling and selling schnapps. This thought then conjures up a smile on his face again. The task of the threshing floor will still hurt, he knows - him, his wife and also the two children, 11 and 18 years old. "But if there is no demand, it makes no sense."