A story of red brick
by Niels Peter Pretzmann
A historical place
Red Brick is an old Manor that has a long history. Back in the 19th century, it was given to a soldier in the Russian Tsar’s army. This continued until 1947 when the Soviet Empire took it from the original family. Unfortunately, the family members were killed and buried in the gardens.
Following Lithuania’s regaining of independence in 1991, the Manor was reclaimed by the rightful heirs, with the support of a Norwegian diplomat married to a member of the family. A fascinating anecdote reveals that the Farm housed Lithuania’s inaugural independent radio transmitter to the world.
New Times at the Farm
In 2018, the Farm was acquired by a Danish food entrepreneur Niels Peter Pretzmann and became one of the cornerstones in showing more sustainable ways of producing food than the traditional “broken food chain” offers. Currently, the Farm cultivates more than 600 hectares of organic farmland, leaving more than 10% of its area untouched for local flora and fauna flourishing.
The Farm’s heart beats with more than 400 Black Angus cattle, reared in accordance with Prairie or Savanna principles, promoting soil micro-life revitalization across more than 400 hectares. This approach, known as the Soil Food Web, reflects a holistic ethos aligned with nature’s principles.
Spanning 15 hectares, the Farm’s kitchen gardens host a diverse array of vegetables, berries, leaves, and herbs. In line with its name, Farmers Circle, the Farm embraces a circular system. Natural fertilizers from animals, combined with no-till regenerative farming practices, yield healthy and flavorful produce.
Additionally, the Farm houses 800 free-range hens that lay organic eggs daily. Looking ahead to the end of 2023, the Farm anticipates welcoming German Blackheaded Mutton sheep into its fold.
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Red Brick
Red Brick restaurant is a centrepiece of the hospitality at the Farm. Situated nearby the Sleepy Horse, a former horse stable, where the former horse boxes were restored and converted into a 15 double-bedroom guest house with modern amenities such as showers and bathrooms.
Settled among five terraced lakes and the restaurant, the old Black Barn building offers space for large events such as weddings and company celebrations. On the other side sits the Stone Mill, where a wide range of plant-based products is made. The product assortment includes pickles, fermented and canned condiments.
Our Farm and other outlets like Senatorių Pasažas, Senatorių & Company, BRØL and Leafood all follow the common vision, which best can be described as the Food Triangle, where each corner describes the most important and relevant parts of our overall strategy and goals, and serves as a daily checklist to keep everyone on track:
- Carrying out our tasks as sustainably as possible at any given time.
- Supporting local traditions and culture.
- Sourcing local Baltic produce when available in the right quality and quantities.
Immersive Dining at Restaurant Red Brick
Restaurant RedBrick is located in the former Manor House at Farmer’s Circle. The former family home is carefully reconstructed, yet, still holds historical elements as red bricks, roof structures and window openings from past periods are kept as originals. The buildin has purposefully added elements like glass wall extensions and cathedral-like raised roof construction, including a pointed skylight designed according to old Japanese wabi-sabi principles with a Nordic touch.
The restaurant is the first in Lithuania to be awarded an official ecological certificate at the Silver level. The menu creation is guided by the Food Triangle overall vision of our group of companies, supported by organic and regenerative farm practices from our and other Baltic farms and artisan producers. Foraging from nature is a natural and welcomed component during seasons. As a part of a farm where certain produce only becomes available for a limited time, preservation in many forms becomes a necessary and natural part of menu creation during the autumn/winter season. As a farm based on growing cattle, we understand animals are a lesser component in global food production. A part of the solution talking climate changes when performed sustainable and local.
Niels Peter Pretzmann
A visionary entrepreneur and a founder of organic farm Farmers Circle and sustainable hospitality hub Senatorių Pasažas in Vilnius.
Since relocating to Lithuania in 2013, Niels has embarked on a mission to fix the broken food chain, improve soil and bring healthier, sustainably grown foods to everyday tables.
Connect with Niels:
Wines and beverages are ideally limited to European producers encouraging ecological and natural practices—best case from South Eastern European countries.
Techniques are considered global tools for bringing unique flavours to local produces and not a limitation for our chef’s creativity. Cooking on our theatrical heirloom open-fire equipment is a natural and enjoyable part of the evening.
Beyond Dining: A Holistic Experience
The experience goes beyond dining. Starting from greeting when the guest arrive to dinner time and farm excursions tailored to meet the need and seasons. After check-in at Sleepy Horse, the evening starts with snacks and drinks around the bonfire.
The evening continues at The RedBrick, serving a 6- 7 courses dinner.
After the dinner, our guests are invited for a nightcap, a cigar around an open fire designed for the purpose. At midnight guests are escorted to their hotel rooms for a good night’s sleep. Breakfast is offered at the agreed time before the guests leave the Farm.
The menu is composed of rustic elements such as eggs, sausages, veggies, cheeses with condiments and fantastic bread.
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Niels Peter Pretzmann
A visionary entrepreneur and a founder of organic farm Farmers Circle and sustainable hospitality hub Senatorių Pasažas in Vilnius.
Since relocating to Lithuania in 2013, Niels has embarked on a mission to fix the broken food chain, improve soil and bring healthier, sustainably grown foods to everyday tables.
Connect with Niels: