He comes from Baden but calls the Bündner Herrschaft region home. Oliver Friedrich is a discerning person, and combined with his extensive experience as a sommelier, that makes him a very special connoisseur of wines. In 2009, he joined Andreas Caminada at Schloss Schauenstein in Graubünden, where he came to love and cherish the local wines. Together with Caminada, he dreamt up the idea of offering only wines from Graubünden in the up-and-coming 3-star restaurant.
Oliver Friedrich’s instinctive feel for the unique paid off: in 2013, he was awarded the title Sommelier of the Year by GaultMillau Switzerland. He pays tribute to the region’s winemakers, explaining that “every wine is infused with the spirit of the grower”. Accordingly, Oliver and his wife Julia like to get an insight into both the cellars and the spirit of their growers – and then reveal Graubünden’s hidden gems to the rest of the world.
For Oliver and Julia, taking over the Alter Torkel restaurant is a long-held dream come true. Everything has come together, since they have now moved back to the village of Jenins with their daughter Hannah. Back in Graubünden and satisfied with life, they have found the tranquillity they need to delight their guests with the best wines the region has to offer.
