Year on year I return to the Dolomites and love nothing more than visiting Ciasa Salares, a family owned and operated boutique hotel nestled in the UNSECO listed national park.
It was here I first met Jan Clemens Wieser, third generation of his family to lead this charming boutique hotel. The hotel is renowned for showcasing locally sourced ingredients and emphasizing biodynamic agriculture in all its restaurants.
Clemens takes great pride in Cocun, the hotel's cellar/restaurant, which boasts one of the largest wine cellars in Italy and happens to be a personal favourite of mine. It's a real treat to visit, as Clemens' knowledge and passion for his "baby" are truly evident.
A consummate professional with a keen eye and ear for music, art, food, and wine, makes for a cool vibe underground surrounded by over 28,000 bottles of wine.
Where were you born?
Montebelluna
Where do you live?
San Cassiano, Alta Badia, Italy
What inspires you here?
The majesty of the Dolomites and the local tradition.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Passionate, curious, stubborn.
Describe the Dolomites in 3 words:
Magic / Unique / Quiet
Tell us about what you do?
I am the owner of Ciasa Salares. A family run hotel nestled in the heart of the Dolomites.
Here I take care of COCUN which is in my opinion the most eclectic restaurant in the world!
What does a normal day look like for you?
I never have normal days…
What does a perfect day look like for you?
A whole day skiing on the Dolomites
Favourite places in Alta Badia and the world for:
Coffee: Bar Manuela / Cafè Stern Paris
A long lunch with friends: Rifugio Scotoni / Les Enfants du Marche Paris / Gino’s BBQ Padova
Dinner: Ostì Corvara / Brawn London / Ten Bells NYC
Dancing: MishMish Paris / Sa Trinxa Ibiza / Bambino Paris
Shopping: Dala Tiz Corvara
A sunset drink: Rifugio Punta Trieste / Sunset Ashram Ibiza
Art: Rome / Bilbao
Culture: Madrid / Vienna / Sevilla
Music: New Orleans / Chicago
Nature: Dolomites / Pantelleria / Salina Eolian Islands
Favourite getaway: Venice
Secret spot to explore in the Dolomites: Longiarü
What are your 3 favourite restaurants in the world? Septime Paris / Cantina del Tormento Vicenza / Bodega Cigalena Santander
Top 3 wines you have ever tasted?
Soldera Intisteti 1987 / Arbois Pupillin 2001 Ploussard Domaine Overnoy / 1997 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata Lorenzo Accomasso
Other local brands do you love and why?
Techno Alpin (the best snowmaking system in the world), Dolomiti Superski (unbelievable ski resort), Dalbello SkiBoots (simply the best)
Favourite tunes?
Dazed and confused by Led Zeppelin, Planet Caravan by Black Sabbath and Mother by Danzig
Top tip for travellers to the Dolomites?
Enjoy these mountains not only for their beauty but mostly for the culture and history there is behind.
An interesting fact about Jan Clemens Weiser…
Have a bottle of wine with me and you will find out!!!
Your motto to live by…
“Meglio un giorno da cinghiale che 100 da forchetta!”
“It is better to live 1 day as a boar than 100 days as a fork!”