The Essence of Craft – 4th Edition

On 19 September 2026, The Essence of Craft celebrated its fourth edition, confirming its position as the benchmark event for the The Makers Club community, dedicated to the culture of craftsmanship, the exploration of materials and rediscovered time.

Continuing the path forged in previous editions, the event brought together master artisans, innovators and guests in a setting designed to slow down and explore the attitude that guides our manifesto: Tradition with Attitude.

The location: The atmosphere of Pitzis Garden

For this fourth edition, the search for the ideal venue found its natural home at Pitzis Garden, the garden and event space of Pitzner Winery in Cardano (Bolzano).

Nestled among the vineyards of South Tyrol and distinguished by contemporary architecture that engages seamlessly with the surrounding nature, Pitzis Garden was not merely a backdrop, but a true co-star of the experience. An intimate and elegant open-air space that allowed participants to experience the tactile, aesthetic and sensory dimensions of the event in complete harmony with the region.

Voices of excellence: The talk

At the heart of Pitzis Garden, the live talk saw four outstanding stories take the stage to explain how tailoring passion and technical rigour can shape contemporary innovation:

• Markus and Thomas Puff (Pitzner Winery & Suites): Playing host, Thomas Puff retraced the history of the centuries-old family estate (with over 700 years of winemaking heritage). He explained how manual winemaking and deep respect for the terroir now blend with modern branding aesthetics and tailor-made hospitality.
• Manuela Mair (Goldkorn): A master goldsmith with over thirty years of experience, she brought the authentic value of handmade jewellery to the stage. From the casting of precious metals to the setting of gemstones, she shared how the goldsmith’s craftsmanship transforms each unique piece into an emotional bond that endures over time.
• Philipp Skal (Head of Sustainable Operations & Products at Swarovski): With nearly 25 years of experience in fashion, jewellery and luxury, Philipp Skal centred his talk on an in-depth reflection on sustainability. He shared his vision of how responsibility, innovation and respect for materials can guide the future of products and redefine the very way we experience them, demonstrating how even major global organisations can combine manufacturing excellence with positive impact.
• Alessandro Metelli and Andrea Abeni (Inceptum): Researchers and co-owners of Inceptum, they explained how engineering expertise and artisanal finishing come together in their Made in Italy haute horlogerie project, creating a perfect balance between technology and manual work. Through the presentation of the Epsilon watch and its hand-executed finishes (such as Côtes de Genève, perlage and bevelling), they demonstrated how scientific precision and the human hand complement one another.

Taste, music and community connections

As the talks came to a close, the atmosphere at Pitzis Garden naturally flowed into the more convivial dimension of the evening. The lounge area among the vineyards became the setting for an authentic and refined food and wine experience, where meticulously curated catering celebrated the region’s finest products.

The perfect culinary pairing came from the estate’s selection of outstanding Pitzner wines, accompanied by natural apple juices and estate-produced non-alcoholic grape juice, offering every guest an authentic tasting experience rooted in the land.

Setting the rhythm for this moment was the immersive sound design of the DJ set, creating a sophisticated, warm and vibrant soundtrack beneath the South Tyrolean sky. Between a taste and a glass of wine, the second part of the evening brought to life the truest spirit of The Makers Club: spontaneous, informal networking where guests could engage closely with the speakers, share visions and spark new synergies driven by a passion for beauty and things well made.

Relive the Fourth Edition

Browse the gallery and watch the recap video to rediscover the highlights, the atmosphere of Pitzis Garden and the details that made the fourth edition of The Essence of Craft unforgettable.