Not everything good comes from a field or garden. Some of the flavours in Ugandi’s kitchen come directly from the forests, meadows and woodland edges of Otepää and South Estonia. Throughout the seasons, we head out into nature ourselves to gather what is available at the time. It keeps us close to the local landscape and the changing seasons.

In spring, our baskets fill with cowslip flowers and spruce shoots; in summer, with cornflowers, berries and chanterelles; and as autumn approaches, with lingonberries and a variety of wild mushrooms. We also gather cloudberries, aronia berries and much more, depending on what nature has to offer. Some we use fresh, while others are dried, pickled, cooked or preserved so that we can carry these local flavours into the seasons ahead.

Karilatsi Fish Farm has been a good friend and partner of Ugandi for decades. The family business is run by father and son Mati and Ott Vaino, for whom fish farming is much more than a job – it is knowledge and dedication passed down and developed through generations.

The fish at Karilatsi are raised in the cool, naturally flowing waters of the Leevi River, and the entire journey from roe to fully grown fish takes place on site. For us, Karilatsi is first and foremost about fresh trout whose origin and quality we know and trust, arriving in Ugandi’s kitchen from just half an hour away.

Karilatsi trout in Ugandi’s kitchen: we cold-smoke the trout fillet in-house, use it in Ugandi fish soup and serve it as a main course.

Sangaste Honey is a family-run business in the Otepää Uplands, producing honey and a variety of beekeeping products. Beekeeping has been part of the family for several generations, dating back to 1966, when the parents of today’s owner, Rein Männiste, worked as beekeepers for the Sangaste forestry district.

Rein has been caring for bees since 1987 and, together with his family – including his wife Piret and sons Robi and Rich-Rodger – continues the family’s long-standing beekeeping tradition. In 2019, Rein was named Estonia’s Beekeeper of the Year.

Sangaste Honey at Ugandi: we use it to make a variety of sauces, and jars of Sangaste honey are also available to buy from us to take home.

Sangaste Honey - website

Located near Rõuge, Alt-Lauri Organic Farm is Marge and Ahti’s home and family-run farm, where organic farming has been practised for many years. The farm grows a variety of berries, fruit and vegetables, but for Ugandi, Alt-Lauri is first and foremost the home of our haskap berries. These dark, distinctly Nordic berries have a fresh acidity and deep flavour, and we use them in many different ways in our kitchen.

Alt-Lauri haskap berries at Ugandi: we use them in sauces, our house lemonade and gelato, as well as in desserts – as whole berries, sauces and gels.

Alt-Lauri organic farm - website

Located in Vanaussaia village in Peipsiääre municipality, Liivaoru Farm is dedicated to growing Japanese quince and raspberries. The farm’s owner, Reelika Päädam, values nature-friendly growing methods, and no synthetic plant protection products are used. One of Liivaoru’s main crops is Japanese quince, often called the lemon of the North, with the Rasa and Rondo varieties grown on the farm.

We value Japanese quince for its fresh acidity and distinctive character – a local ingredient that we use in many different ways in Ugandi’s kitchen.

Liivaoru Farm Japanese quince at Ugandi: we use it in sauces and relish, as well as to make our house lemonade and house liqueur.

Nestled among the picturesque lakes and hills of Otepää, Murimäe Winery brings a touch of the unexpected to South Estonia. This unique place, where winemaking traditions meet local flavours, is known for its award-winning wines.

Janika Ilves and her family, who run the vineyard, began their winemaking journey through a passion for gardening. They taught themselves the craft through years of experimenting and tasting. Since planting their first grapevines in 2012, Murimäe has grown steadily into a distinctive local winery.

Murimäe wines at Ugandi: we serve selected Murimäe wines at special events and themed evenings.

Murimäe Winery - website