HISTORY – VILLGRATER NATUR
Back to Villgrater Natur…
Back to Villgrater Nature – a story of courageous decisions
Already 600 years ago, the Schett family lives and works on the Lahnberg at 1550 m above sea level above the Villgraten valley. Josef Schett grows up here in this difficult to reach valley with its steep slopes, which has already driven many away.
His attachment to the homeland leaves him and arouses his interest in almost extinct craft and original production processes. We work in harmony with our rural culture and natural space and its value chain.
1985
Josef Schett takes over his parents‘ mountain farm. For 600 years, his family has been living and working at the Lahnberg at 1,550 meters above sea level, high above the Villgraten valley. He changes the business to sheep breeding, markets lamb and sheep milk products to upscale restaurants and stores and at the same time sets the course for wool processing.
1987
a study by the Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck provides important data about the commercial viability of sheep products and thus the basis for their development.
1988
the EMPA, The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research in St. Gallen, investigates the construction and physical properties of the Villgrater sheep’s wool. It certifies to the woolen fleece a high insulation value and a positive effect on the indoor climate. Main finding: sheep’s wool can absorb up to one third of its own weight in moisture and absorb pollutants from the environment.
1991
the Villgrater Natur house opens its doors. The first machines for wool processing are put into operation and the first Villgrater Natur products go on sale.
1992
the team of Villgrater Natur develops the Villgrater natural beds together with professor Willi Dungl. The sheep’s wool, initially a by-product, is now a valueable raw material for mattresses, blankets and bedding.
1993
the insulating materials from sheep’s wool and the sound absorbing insulation felt for floors obtain the building biology and ecological certification marks and come onto the market.
2003
the Woolin brand for biological insulation materials and sound absorbing insulation felt made of virgin wool emerges.
2008
the Villgrater Natur house gets a light-filled extension with semiar room and kitchen, thus becoming a popular destination for tourists and professional visitors.
2010
Villgrater Natur invests in a new, computer-controlled production facility. Important jobs in the Villgraten valley can thus be secured. The team of Villgrater Natur now processes the wool of 70,000 Austrian sheep.
2012
Villgrater Natur celebrates its 25th anniversary.
2015
Villgrater Natur received the award „certified quality handicraft Tyrol“.
2017
Villgrater Natur becomes a member of the East Tyrolean manufactories.
2018
Villgrater Natur opens a concept store in Lienz.
2019
Villgrater Natur opens a concept store in Vienna and Schwaz (Tyrol).