Traunkirchen in the vineyard: Katharina Gnigler appointed sommelière of 2025

Traunkirchen in the vineyard: Katharina Gnigler appointed sommelière of 2025

In Traunkirchen, Katharina Gnigler, a 34-year-old expert in wines, received the coveted award "Sommelière of 2025" from the renowned Gault Millau. As Head of Wine and Service, she heads the wine offers in the Hotel Das Traunsee and in the Hotel Post am See. This honor not only recognizes your extensive expertise, but also your exemplary commitment to the further development in gastronomy.

a year ago, Gnigler returned to the Salzkammergut after 14 years in respected gastronomic facilities, including the Geranium in Copenhagen and the Landhaus Bacher in the Wachau. Their return marked the beginning of a new era in which she decisively helped shape the wine and service standards of the companies of Monika and Wolfgang Gröller. This ranges from the creation of the wine cards to the structure of the wine cellar to the training of up to 50-strong service team.

wine philosophy between tradition and innovation

Especially in the four-hood restaurant Bootshaus, Gnigler relies on the harmonious connection between selected wines and the puristic cuisine by Lukas Nagl, which was also recently recognized as "Cook of the Year". "His kitchen combines domestic ingredients with Japanese elements, which requires a fine coordination of the wines that are both harmonious and offer tension," she explains. This unique combination of tradition and new creations plays a central role in their work.

In addition to her work in the boathouse, Gnigler is also responsible for the wine offers in other restaurants of the Gröller group. In the newly opened Belétage in the Hotel Post am See, she focuses on top European wines and a wide selection of sparkling wines, while in the inn Posthestube 1327 Austrian wine classics, autochthonous grape varieties and biological cultivation are in the foreground.

An important goal of Gnigler is to sensitize both guests and the service team for the diversity of the wine and the respect that should be shown to him. It not only relies on the big names of the wine world, but also gives a platform to present their works. "Gault Millau's award is something very special for me," she emphasizes. "The most beautiful thing about my job is people and the joy of giving them unforgettable moments."