The Advent and Christmas decorations in Girlan are a true visual delight, a feast for the eyes. Since 2014, they have been bringing joy to both locals and visitors alike. What makes these decorations truly unique is that they are all crafted from old barrel staves and wooden pillars, a distinctive feature that sets them apart.

The mastermind behind this unique initiative is Rudi Wiedmer from Girlan. Although his professional life largely took place in the wine cellar of Josef Niedermayr in Girlan, he was always drawn to the cooperage workshop of his father-in-law, Alexander Unterkofler, in his spare time. "Working with wood fascinated me from the very beginning," says Rudi, "especially with old wood that already carries the marks of history." This passion has never left him.

It all started when Hans Niedermayr, a farmer in Girlan, noticed Rudi's woodwork in his workshop in 2012. "I liked it so much that I asked him to create such a piece of art for me as well," says Niedermayr. Rudi Wiedmer’s next "customer" was Hartmuth Spitaler, the longtime cellar master of the Girlan Winery and, like Hans Niedermayr, a co-founder of "Weinwelt Girlan" in 2008.

Finally, in 2013, "Weinwelt" approached Rudi Wiedmer with a request to create decorations for the entire village. Since then, the number of works from Rudi's workshop has grown to around three dozen, creating a very special (pre-)Christmas atmosphere in the wine village of Girlan every year.