A lot of work – good payment

„It was an honourable, but tiring job round the clock, seven days a week, for a good three months”, Spitaler says.  The Saltner was an official, who lived in huts or shacks in the middle of the vineyards for the entire duration of his patrol duty. For this he received the annual payment of a chief farm hand. Dressed for work with a linen shirt, working trousers, a hat and a stick, nowadays Spitaler presents himself in festive clothes.  With the peacock feathers on his hat, that represent the all-seeing eye, he is an impressive sight.  Around his neck he wears the Saltner’s necklace, pendants of sacred coins, crosses, fox tails or animals’ teeth. „With every step it jingles like the church bells. This was meant to keep away bad spirits and scallywags”, explains Spitaler.