Vintage report 2018

Due to the frequent snowfall in December and January, total winter precipitation was slightly higher than the average for previous years.

March was a comparatively cool month, so that the new shoots on the vines were somewhat slow to appear, but warmer than average temperatures in April compensated the delay in phenological development.

The weather in May was very changeable but relatively warm, with rain an almost daily occurrence, often in the form of thunderstorms. The weather did not settle until mid-June, which marked the beginning of one of the warmest and sunniest summers in recent decades. The result was high temperatures and some very dry conditions. The very low levels of precipitation experienced in some places in June and July were offset by heavy thunderstorms in August.

In late summer the weather was at its best, with one period of high pressure after another bringing warm conditions and plenty of sunshine. The temperatures were 1-2 °C above the long-term average and provided optimum conditions for harvesting ripe and healthy grapes.

Vintage report 2017

We started this year's grape harvest very early, beginning with the Sauvignon in the Höfl am Stein vineyard at Söll (Tramin) on August 31. By the end of July already, the signs were that it would be an early and short harvest, but the events in the vineyard unfolded even faster than expected. The picking season came to an end in the first week of October (Cabernet Sauvignon from the vineyard Arzenhof), which was the earliest end date even the older winegrowers could remember. Due to a slightly wet September there was not much time for a breather, and we tried to work as fast as we could as soon as the sun came out.

The weather in the 2017 wine-growing year kept us on our toes: After an unusually dry winter and early appearance of the new shoots, a period of frost gave us some sleepless nights at the end of April, although – all in all – we got off lightly. At the beginning of May the first grape blossoms started to open, and after a wet July accompanied by thunderstorms the vines made fast progress towards the final ripening stage. In the first days of August some heavy summer hailstorms brushed our vineyards. Nevertheless, with some extra hard work done by hand, the grapes that were ripening well were able to move on to final maturity.

In summary, it can be said that the 2017 vintage is comparable with the last few years but, with the grape harvest down by about 20%, production volumes are correspondingly lower. Our winemaker Thomas Scarizuola is now looking forward to a fresh vintage, with an excellent standard of quality in the Sauvignon and Schiava wines especially. The Gewürztraminer offers a combination of intensive aroma and impressive structure, and the red wines are sure to please with a strong acid backbone and multifaceted bouquets.

Vintage report 2016

The 2016 vintage produced numerous surprises. The mild spring was succeeded by a frigid April that initially brought growth to a standstill. Constant hard work in the vineyard ensured that the situation was kept under control. A changeable start to the summer was followed by sunny days in late August and September. The grape harvest began in mid-September. The white wines are distinguished by a pleasant aroma supported by a well-structured acidity, while the red wines are marked by their powerful fragrance and matching.

Vintage report 2015

Summer 2015 was characterized by higher than average temperatures and lack of rainfalls. The weather situation induce us to an early harvest epoch thoughts. The heat, however, did slow the grapes development therefore we had an average harvest’s epoch which began on September 1 and ended on October 27. We immediately recognize the potential of an absolutely promising vintage when we saw the grapes quality brought to the cellar. The whites wines show enveloping and caressing fruit features.

Vintage report 2014

The 2014 growing year began with a very mild, wet winter. Temperatures well above seasonal averages led to budbreak in mid March about three weeks early. Despite this abnormal start to the year, the early budbreak was lost during the exceptionally cool, rainy summer months, which forced our growers to work hard and long. Relatively low temperatures during harvest, which began in the first week of September, meant that ripening was slow and prolonged. White varieties benefited considerably from the low temperatures, yielding well-typed, fresh-tasting wines with good salinity, mineral-tinged acidity and savoury structure.

Vintage report 2013

After a very dry, warm winter, spring saw the earliest appearance of shoots on the vines in the history of modern winegrowing in South Tyrol. The relatively cool months of April and May then caused a delay in the vegetation phases. The beginning of summer was somewhat cool and damp, providing sufficient precipitation for an optimal start to the ripening phase. The ripening process was also positively influenced by a very warm and dry August. The autumn weather was very fine at the beginning of the harvest, with just a few rainy days during the whole picking process, allowing all grape varieties in every type of location to develop in the best possible way. The 2013 red wines are very fruity, with a pronounced character that is typical of the variety, and juicy tannins.

Vintage report 2012

After a very dry, warm winter, spring saw the earliest appearance of shoots on the vines in the history of modern winegrowing in South Tyrol. The relatively cool months of April and May then caused a delay in the vegetation phases. The beginning of summer was somewhat cool and damp, providing sufficient precipitation for an optimal start to the ripening phase. The ripening process was also positively influenced by a very warm and dry August. The autumn weather was very fine at the beginning of the harvest, with just a few rainy days during the whole picking process, allowing all grape varieties in every type of location to develop in the best possible way. The 2012 white wines are of exceptional quality, with fine fruit and acidity and a harmonious structure. The red wines are very fruity, with a pronounced character that is typical of the variety, and juicy tannins.

Vintage report 2011

After a rather dry, somewhat mild winter, the vines sprouted early. The warm spring months had a positive effect on the beginning of the vegetation and blossoming. After a rather rainy, cool start to the summer, from the beginning of August came a long, stable period of fair weather with very warm and dry conditions that continued throughout the entire harvest period. The fine weather caused a somewhat earlier (but nonetheless physiologically perfect) ripening of the grapes. The 2011 white wines have a beautiful fruitiness, a youthful freshness and a harmonious structure on the palate, while the red wines are marked by aromas that are typical of the variety, fine tannins and a high concentration.

Vintage report 2010

After a rather dry, somewhat mild winter, the vines sprouted early. The warm spring months had a positive effect on the beginning of the vegetation and blossoming. After a rather rainy, cool start to the summer, from the beginning of August came a long, stable period of fair weather with very warm and dry conditions that continued throughout the entire harvest period. The fine weather caused a somewhat earlier (but nonetheless physiologically perfect) ripening of the grapes. The 2011 white wines have a beautiful fruitiness, a youthful freshness and a harmonious structure on the palate, while the red wines are marked by aromas that are typical of the variety, fine tannins and a high concentration.

Vintage report 2009

A wet, cool winter ushered in 2009, followed by a warm period during which the vines sprouted. This caused a rapid blossom period and fast grape development. The summer was warm and dry and, up until autumn, ripening was some 14 days ahead of the previous year. This vintage featured relatively high sugar levels and an optimum physiological ripeness.

Vintage report 2008

Following an rather dry winter, the early months of 2008 saw quite heavy and frequent rainfall. The summer too witnessed above– average precipitation. Autumn, however, was straight out of a picture–book, with the best possible conditions.