Kmetija Gaia

About

We are a family farm in Slovenia's Koroška region, specializing in small-scale, all-natural production of apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and herbal products from our traditional tall-trunk meadow orchards. We use heirloom apple varieties and non-commercial production methods to create delicious products with full nutrient content and exceptional flavor.

What is a meadow orchard?

Image showing old-growth apple trees on a sloping hill, with forest in the background.

Our farm consists primarily of meadow orchards (sometimes also translated from Slovene as tall-trunk meadow orchards). Our visitors and customers often ask what is a meadow orchard, since the habitat is rarely found outside of the farming countryside. Here is our description.

Heirloom apple varieties on the farm

Image showing a wooden crate holding apples of different sizes, varieties, and colors.

We are proud to grow a number of interesting heirloom varieties not typically found in stores or commercial orchards. Here is a gallery, with images and descriptions, of the varieties on our farm that we have positively identified.

Our farm's story

Image showing the view of farm in fall from the neighoring hill.

Our farm lies on the property of the former Ramšak family, who throughout 1800s and 1900s maintained a thriving homestead, raised livestock, grew grains and produce, and operated a grain mill and sawmill on the unforgiving mountainous terrain. But age and lack of a younger generation to take over began to catch up with the last remaining members, and the farmstead drifted into dormancy in the early 2000s.

Kmetija Gaia

Center Gaia d.o.o.

Tolsti Vrh pri Mislinji 47

2382 Mislinja, Slovenija