Wine Diary
End of harvest in sight
Some years have passed since the last time we were as relaxed towards the end of harvest as we are now! The whole season over, weather and ripeness mostly corresponded to our wishes, and we managed to get some freedom towards the last days of harvest. Riesling grapes from some key vineyards on “Zöbinger Heiligenstein” are visited daily. However, as the recent moving weather front has not cause trouble, they will continue to hang on the vines for some more time.
Two days ago, we picked Cabernet Franc from the old Lyra-trellised vineyards on the lower Heiligenstein in perfect condition. A picture book harvest!
Slowly but steadily we are getting in well-selected grapes from the last old Grüner vineyards. They are surprisingly small-berried and taste both spicy and highly aromatic. Stalks are fully lignified: this means that no more water will be transported from the roots to the fruit and the berries will gain concentration on the stems even shortly after a more humid period. One of our pneumatic presses currently is used for Zweigelt from “Hasel”, which has completed a perfect fermentation on the skins.
We also grant more time to our Grüners on a special “Lamm” parcel and to the ones on “Spiegel”. It will be thrilling to later compare their aromas to those of the somewhat earlier picked “Käferberg.”
After harvest is before harvest
Autumn flight of Langenlois Bees: Last week, on Steinmassl we could still observe some bees at work! Mild autumn weather made it possible. It also is good to know that next spring, those beneficial insects will benefit from our recently sown green covers containing many flowering herbs.