Elderberry is the DNA of Holderhof

The scent of elderflowers is in the air in Ufhofen. The branches laden with flower clusters are now bending back into magnificent trellises at the Holderhof. Everything is ready for harvesting by skilled hands. More than 25 years ago, company founder Christof Schenk planted the first elder trees while still an apprentice farmer. From then on, his parents' farm in Ufhofen became the Holderhof, run according to the principles of organic farming. Schenk successfully completed his agricultural training with the development of the elderflower wine ‘Sambucco’ – a mixture of white wine and elderflower extract. The fruit wine ‘Holunderblüten-Traum’ (elderflower dream) is still available from Holderhof today. However, most of the elderflower extract, which is now produced on a much larger scale, is used to make syrup and soft drinks.

It all started in his kitchen

Today, over 100 people work for Holderhof at three locations. They produce syrup, iced tea, pure apple juice, applesauce and many other foods from natural raw materials. Organic herb cultivation has now overtaken elderberry in Ufhofen. But of course, it remains part of the unchangeable DNA of Holderhof. Christof Schenk first planted additional trees on his own farm and then signed cultivation contracts with other farmers. He thus became the largest producer of elderflowers and berries in Switzerland. It was only after his main buyer for his elderflower harvest terminated the purchase agreement at short notice that he began experimenting with the extract himself.

Grandmother's advice for syrup

Developing an elderflower wine ultimately marked the successful entry into processing. This was soon followed by an enquiry from a large buyer who was launching their own syrup line. Christof Schenk was quick to respond with his favourite crop, elderflower. However, he still had little experience in making syrup. He developed the recipe in his own kitchen after work: “I asked my grandmother for advice.” Her advice was obviously good. He successfully entered the syrup business. Demand continued to rise and new products were launched. One example is the trendy soft drink ‘Sambus’, a mixture of mineral water, elderflower extract and elderberry juice.

Number one in syrup production

More than twenty years later, Holderhof is Switzerland's number one syrup manufacturer, both in organic and conventional quality. In addition to elderflower, it offers all kinds of different flavours, including rhubarb, ginger, orange and Alpine herbs. For a few years now, Holderhof has also been producing syrups for the traditional Swiss brand Lacobi. A special bottling process enables Holderhof to avoid using artificial preservatives in its syrups.

But back to elderberries: they are one of the few agricultural crops that can be harvested twice in the same year. The flowers in spring are followed by berries in late autumn. These are the main ingredients in syrups and juices that are used to treat colds and fever, among other things. Unfortunately, the invasive cherry vinegar fly is making life increasingly difficult for the berries in Switzerland. This pest is particularly difficult to control in organic farming. As a result, the importance of the berries in processing is declining. Nevertheless, it is a matter of honour that the Holderhof has managed to combine both flowers and berries with pure apple juice in a spritzer.

The elderflowers are harvested by hand.

The Holderhof uses the elderflowers to produce traditional syrup and, together with the berries, a spritzer.