Gelateria Dolce Vita: Italian Ice Cream Craftsmanship Conquers Hof's Old Town – Rossi Family Opens New Gelato Shop

Hof's old town gets a sweet addition: The Gelateria Dolce Vita opened its doors on Thursday at Ludwigstrasse 23. The Rossi family from South Tyrol brings authentic Italian ice cream craftsmanship to the Upper Franconian city.

Three Generations of Ice Cream Tradition

Marco Rossi stands behind the counter, beaming. The 42-year-old gelato master has realized a dream: his own ice cream shop in Germany. "I've worked in ice cream production for 25 years, first in my father's business in Bolzano, later in various gelaterias in Italy," he says. "Now I want to share my passion for good ice cream here in Hof."

Marco is supported by his wife Giulia, who handles customer service, and his mother Anna, who contributes traditional recipes from South Tyrol. "Our family has been making ice cream for three generations," explains Anna Rossi. "Each generation has contributed their own creations, but the basic philosophy remains the same: only the best ingredients, no compromises."

Handcrafted Ice Cream Production Using Traditional Methods

In their own ice cream factory, integrated directly into the shop, fresh creations are made daily. The production process begins every morning at 6:00 AM. "We use exclusively fresh, regional ingredients and completely avoid artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives," emphasizes Marco Rossi.

The milk comes from an organic farm in nearby Schwarzenbach an der Saale, fruits are sourced from regional farmers depending on the season. "In summer we work with strawberries from Regnitzlosau, in autumn with plums from the region," explains the ice cream master. "It means more effort, but you can taste the difference."

Diverse Selection with Local Accents

The gelateria's offering includes over 25 varieties, of which 18-20 are freshly presented in the display case daily. In addition to Italian classics like Stracciatella, Pistachio from Bronte, or Hazelnut from Piedmont, there are also regional creations that combine the Upper Franconian homeland with Italian know-how.

Classic Italian Varieties:

• Pistachio Bronte DOP – from Sicily's most famous pistachios
• Stracciatella – cream ice cream with fine chocolate chips
• Nocciola del Piemonte – with hazelnuts from Piedmont
• Amarena – with preserved sour cherries
• Tiramisu – according to original recipe with mascarpone and espresso

Regional Hof Creations:

• Hof Beer Ice Cream – with light beer from Meinel brewery
• Honey-Walnut – with honey from beekeeper Strobel from Oberkotzau
• Fichtelgebirge Blueberry – with wild blueberries from the region

Vegan and Lactose-Free Alternatives:

• 8-10 daily changing vegan varieties based on soy, oat, or almond milk
• 5-6 lactose-free variants
• All varieties clearly marked with allergen labeling

Opening Offer and Special Promotions

For the opening week from February 14th to 20th, there are special promotions for Hof residents. Every customer who buys ice cream during the opening week receives a stamp card. On the second visit, you get one scoop free, on the fifth visit, a complete ice cream sundae of your choice.

"We want Hof residents to get to know our passion for good ice cream. That's why we cordially invite you to try different varieties and see the quality for yourself."

Custom Ice Cream Cakes and Catering

In addition to classic ice cream sales, the gelateria also offers custom ice cream cakes and ice cream bombs. "Whether birthday, wedding, or corporate event – we design ice cream cakes according to individual wishes," explains Giulia Rossi. Orders are accepted with 48 hours' notice and can be made in various sizes (6, 8, 10, or 12 people).