The Hirschen has been run by women ever since the day our great grandfather took it over. A heart-and-soul cook, our grandmother was soon joined by her own daughters; while our father dedicated his energies to the farm and his herd of Haflinger horses, our mother Maria Luise took care of the guesthouse and brought up 6 children at the same time: 5 girls and one son, Georg, who today manages to family farm and the herd of Haflingers. And that’s how the Hirschen became a “female-run company.”
We are proud: For 5 generations now, it’s the women of the Oberkofler family who have been running the show at the Hirschen! Today they are Maria, Petra, Ulrike, our mum Maria Luise – and with us, a strong, vibrant team of women.
Through the generations.
Once upon a time in Jenesien …
The history of the “Unterwirt,” as the locals still today call the Gasthof zum Hirschen—all began in 1889, when the Unterkofler family took it over. Our great-grandfather, followed by our grandfather and, later, our father, always abode by the unwritten rule that the women run the hotel and the men take care of the farm and the horses. And even in the moments when their spirits may have been flagging, they never shied from the task for an instant—in a commitment that continues to this day.
A hotel with a woman’s touch.
It’s not that we don’t like men! The fact that women hold the reins here at the Hirschen is something that’s just happened of its own accord. And it’s not just the owners who treat their guests to the best of care with deft expertise: The head chef, massage therapist and beautician, and all the housekeeping staff are women too: They know exactly what top hospitality means, and that’s what they provide.
Petra, the oldest daughter.
Ever since she was in her mid-20s, Petra, the oldest of the 6 Oberkofler siblings, has been breathing a fresh breeze into the Hirschen. She’s the one with a tasteful eye and, as such, is in charge of the hotel decor. It was our grandmother who taught Petra how to manage a business sustainably and sensibly, and the art of wasting nothing and recycling everything - a set of core values which continue to shape her philosophy on life. As Petra loves hiking in her free time, she has trained as a hiking guide, and takes our guests out on magnificent hikes every week. Petra’s husband Rainer supports her in all her endeavours, and he himself puts heart and soul into the hotel and the winery. Their adult son Paul, a student at the agricultural high school in Auer, can generally be found in the “Unterwirt” riding stables, where he helps his uncle Georg with the horses.
Maria, the baby.
The baby of the Oberkofler family has already tried her hand at a lot of things, both at home and abroad. One summer she helped out at the Hirschen - and after that, she never left. She is a whizz at organising things, and manages all of the operations and technical matters in the hotel. After all, she’s the one who knows about computers! This is what brings a sense of structure to the hotel - and it’s no easy feat! Maria is also carrying on the family tradition with aplomb, and she and her 3 daughters are a credit to the women’s world at the Hirschen!
Ulrike, the nature lover.
Although sister number 2 is not at the Hirschen every day, she provides a magnificent contribution to the hotel nevertheless. She helps her sisters out in the dining room several evenings a week, and offers guests yoga sessions in the mornings - preferably outside on the dewy grass. Ulrike’s main job is a teacher and, as a true nature enthusiast, she also has a special affinity with wild herbs and medicinal plants - and that fits in to perfection with the Hirschen!
