on Regional Wines & Quality
Rebecca Osterer is everywhere. With a trained eye and swift movements, she scans the tables, bar, and terrace—straightening a linen tablecloth here, clearing away an empty water bottle there, adjusting a colleague’s name tag. Even in the busiest moments, Rebecca stays calm and in control. She knows exactly where her support is needed and how to bring composure to the flow of service. That’s exactly what her team values most about the 33-year-old from Upper Austria.
Six years ago, Rebecca joined the hotel as a career changer.
She started at the hotel bar, quickly mastering cocktail mixing, and just a few months later, she was already in charge of the bar.
“I trained as a chef and then worked in retail. I switched to the hotel with a clear goal: to take on responsibility. After the hotel bar, I moved to the Gasthof Neuhaus, which is part of the hotel, to take over restaurant management.” During the winter of the pandemic, Rebecca seized the opportunity to complete a “Sommelière Austria” certification in Salzburg.
Today, she has been the head of service for all five EDELWEISS restaurants for four years, managing a team of 60. She creates staff schedules, organizes workflows, supports interns, oversees beverage procurement, stock management, and wine list pricing. Despite her many responsibilities, she is always present and ready to step in when things get hectic. “It’s normal to help out wherever it’s needed. Even the hotel director sometimes washes glasses when things get busy.”
Rebecca is always available to listen to her team, offering encouragement and support whenever needed. She takes great pleasure in mentoring motivated trainees in the service department.
“After all, I receive a lot of support from the hotel management too. It just works better when you give ‘homegrown’ employees more responsibility and offer them opportunities for growth. I’m really proud of the outstanding work my trainees do,” she beams.
Rebecca also takes time for her own professional development: After the busy summer season, she will begin a six-month training program to become a Food & Beverage (F&B) Manager next winter. Hotel manager Martina Hettegger is enthusiastic: “Rebecca knows exactly what she wants and is always eager to learn. It’s a real blessing to have such a dedicated employee on the team.”
The Wine Philosophy at EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden
Rebecca gives us a tour of the hotel’s wine cellar.
The Edelweiss offers around 180 different wines.
“The majority of our wines come from Austria and Germany. Our guests really appreciate the regional aspect, as well as the fact that we personally know many of the winemakers. We offer our high-quality, carefully selected wines at very fair prices. Of course, we also have prestigious wines on the menu, such as an Ornellaia from Tuscany. We don’t sell it often, but there are guests who value international top wines.”
To wrap things up, Rebecca shares a refreshing tip
– this time not from the wine cellar, but from the bar:
The „Porn Star Martini“ – a vibrant blend of passion fruit, vanilla, lemon, and Prosecco. The twist: the Prosecco is served separately in a shot glass. A true “ladies’ drink,” as Rebecca likes to call it. And according to her, it tastes nowhere near as good as it does at the Edelweiss Hotel bar.
As a sommelière, she will also select the wines for the upcoming “Wine & Dine” evening at the Panorama Restaurant, in collaboration with guest winemaker Alexander Egermann. He will personally guide guests through the evening, passionately presenting his wines that will accompany the five-course menu.
Winemaker Alexander Egermann has his vineyards on the sunny Neusiedler See in southeastern Austria, where he produces full-bodied white and red wines. Rebecca is thrilled: “I particularly love his Zweigelt Ried Römerstein, which is round yet powerful—perfect for complementing a meat dish in our menu.”
The Wine & Dine evening will take place on May 8th, starting at 6 PM, in the PANORAMA restaurant with a view of the Watzmann. The five-course menu, including wine pairings, costs 125 euros, and reservations are now being accepted. Of course, Rebecca will be there to greet the guests.
Family Hettegger
Maximilianstraße 2
D – 83471 Berchtesgaden
Phone number:
+49 8652 9799-0
Email Address:
info@edelweiss-berchtesgaden.com
