"That's what Meissl made possible for us" – an interview with the owners of Gut Wöllried

Whether a wedding, a concert or a business gathering: Gut Wöllried near Würzburg is a special event location in every sense of the word. The outdoor solution that was installed there a few years ago had to be just as special. Why it works, how it is used – sometimes even several times a day – and what is planned for the future. An interview with the managing partners Sebastian Bayerl and Oliver Ponnath.

Meissl: You run the top-class event location in Würzburg, Germany – what makes this historic yet contemporary venue so special?   

Sebastian Bayerl: We were allowed to restore a dilapidated farmstead – entirely to our wishes and ideas. This allowed us to create a special blend of history and state-of-the-art. 

Meissl: What is open-air culture for you? And how do you live it at Gut Wöllried?   

Oliver Ponnath: For us, open-air culture is the opportunity to bring our guests outside in almost any weather and at the same time provide them with the security of being able to sit in the dry even when it rains. Above all, however, open-air culture for us means that the ambience of the high-quality umbrella solutions matches our sophisticated venue. 

Meissl: From concerts, festivals, conferences, weddings, company celebrations and PR events to cultural events – you really do play every part of event culture. How do you make this range possible and how do you ensure flexibility? 

Sebastian Bayerl: Everything can be moved using castors or electric ants - that's important because we have to reconfigure relatively quickly during or after events. This is exactly what makes Meissl so special for us: the umbrellas are easy to close and move. This enables us to cover or even enclose certain areas depending on customer requirements.
We can currently cover up to 500 sqm with our Meissl solution – in a very high-quality way, with the option of suspending the parasols from the outside and using tent heaters to serve three- or four-course meals inside, even in winter temperatures. 

Meissl: Outside or inside – what role does your Meissl solution play? 

Oliver Ponnath: Meissl has played a major role for us since we opened in 2017. What started with two umbrellas has been expanded again and again over the years. We now have ten large umbrellas and four small, custom-made umbrellas from Meissl. In the future, Meissl will continue to be key for us, as we are growing rapidly as a location and the outdoor areas in particular will be crucial. 

Meissl: What does the future hold for Gut Wöllried? 

Sebastian Bayerl: We are planning a roof terrace with a total area of around 500 sqm, which will be covered by two or three Meissl umbrellas. Eventually, an exclusive, high-quality umbrella bar will also be integrated there. It is important to us that we always offer a combination to ensure that our guests can spend time not only inside but also outside, whatever the weather. That's what Meissl made possible for us. 

Meissl: How would you describe your experience with Meissl? 

Oliver Ponnath: We like working with professionals. And in Meissl, we have found the right partner to be able to offer a high-quality, beautiful umbrella solution that can withstand any weather and blends perfectly with our venue.