Ratschen and its popular Wohnothek have a new owner: following a competitive bidding process triggered by the insolvency of the former owner, Domaines Kilger, the well-known hospitality and accommodation business in southern Burgenland is to become part of the Lindner Group. Under its new name, “Ratschen | Groszer Wein”, the business is set to reopen later this year – a sign of hope for many in the region after a prolonged period of vacancy.
Through the Groszer Wein winery in Burg, the southern German family business has already had close ties to the region and its Blaufränkisch wine for many years. This connection was also a decisive factor in the family’s interest in Ratschen. As Veronika Lindner explains, without Groszer Wein, the family would neither have come to southern Burgenland nor decided to take over Ratschen.
The Lindner family also brings extensive experience in hospitality and gastronomy. mk hospitality, led by Johanna Lindner and her husband Arno Sonderfeld, successfully operates several locations in Germany as well as in London and Tirana, alongside a number of restaurants, including brewery restaurants and an organic restaurant. The restart of Ratschen, which has stood vacant for some time, will certainly not be easy, the family acknowledges. However, this many years of experience in hotel and restaurant operations gives them confidence. The project is also supported by the backing of people in southern Burgenland, Deutsch Schützen and on the Eisenberg, which the new owner is explicitly counting on. The insolvency administrator, too, sees the concept as one with strong prospects for the future and one that will benefit the entire region.
From the new owner’s perspective, southern Burgenland has a great deal to offer – excellent wineries as well as peaceful, nature-based tourism centred around hiking, cycling and relaxation. What the region has been lacking, however, are good, dependable restaurants. There are a few establishments offering genuinely good cuisine, but overall there are simply too few – a gap that local residents themselves also recognise. This is precisely where Ratschen is intended to find its place once again.
The reopening will take place in stages, with the first phase expected to begin in mid-October 2026. The first bungalows at the Wohnothek are then expected to welcome overnight guests. Located among the bungalows is the restaurant, which will also reopen in the first phase, offering a small menu of southern Burgenland specialities. The concept is deliberately straightforward and relaxed, without any ambition to pursue a fine-dining or Michelin-style accolade – a place for good, informal food, catering both to guests of the Wohnothek and to people from the surrounding area. The former fine-dining restaurant, located close to the bungalows, will initially remain closed. If the operation gets off to a good start and demand proves strong, the Lindner family plans to bring this building back to life in a second phase – as the solid, reliable restaurant the region has so far been missing.
The Wohnothek itself comprises 25 detached wooden bungalows with a total of 56 beds, set among vineyards and woodland, just a few minutes’ walk from the restaurant. The ensemble has already received the Burgenland Innovation Award for its timber-frame construction and is known for its cosy, close-to-nature character. It also includes a wellness area with a sauna, steam room and outdoor pool. In future, this will not be reserved exclusively for Wohnothek guests: the Lindner family also wants to give the many guests staying in the surrounding Kellerstöckl wine-cellar cottages the opportunity to make use of the Wohnothek’s wellness facilities.
Groszer Wein will naturally play a central role at the new Ratschen. In the medium term, the winery’s location is planned to move from Burg to Deutsch Schützen, with a new wine cellar directly on site, subject to the necessary approvals. The aim is to bring the family’s own wines closer to Wohnothek guests and to introduce restaurant guests to the distinctive wines of the region – not only Groszer Wein, but also wines from the renowned neighbouring winemakers.
Lindner makes no secret of the fact that winemaking is becoming increasingly challenging – less because of southern Burgenland itself and more because of climate change and changing drinking habits. Overall, people are drinking less wine, something that is being felt across all wine-growing regions. This makes Veronika Lindner’s connection to southern Burgenland all the more important. From the very first day, the family was made to feel very welcome. They value the mentality of the people, the landscape and the region’s wines – above all, of course, their own Groszer Wein.
Winemaker Markus Bach, who has been the face of Groszer Wein since the winery was founded, is delighted to play his part in bringing Ratschen back to life. Lindner is also confident that the right team can be found to operate the Wohnothek and restaurant, with the first promising discussions already underway.
The Lindner family is looking to the future of Ratschen with anticipation – supported by entrepreneurial experience, a genuine connection to the region and the backing of the people of southern Burgenland.
Bookings for the Wohnothek are expected to open from mid-October 2026 via the Ratschen website: www.ratschen.at
