Wine Diary
Early Bud Break & Countdown for the “Tour de Vin”
Water, light, and gentle warmth are the ingredients for an early bud break once again in the cool Kamptal: Following a mild, relatively moist winter, a warm and also rainy start to spring has favoured growth immensely. Quiet hours of sunshine quickly alternate with wind and rain showers. Compared to an average year, we are currently about two weeks ahead. This allows us to hope for a long growing season and good ripening, but also means a higher risk of late frosts.
The soil moisture is particularly beneficial for all life in the vineyard: the vines can more easily access nutrients, ground cover thrives, and all insects, the beneficial ones and those less welcome have long since returned! Environmentally friendly winemakers accompany bud break with consistent protective measures, aiming to minimize pest proliferation gently. For this purpose, small scent capsules containing pheromones identical to the attractants of grapevine moth females have already been attached to the wire frames. The males become so confused during mating that they cannot find their partners, significantly limiting reproduction. Many winemakers in Kamptal are already participating in this measure, effectively keeping large areas free from infestation. We've also wrapped felt bands around the vines with predatory mites to prey on many harmful mites, thus protecting our plants.
Among the many current tasks in the vineyard is "clearing (weeding) around the stocks". Here, competing vegetation around the vines is mechanically removed, primarily to prevent moisture rising up the vine and potentially resulting in diseases.
The cellar is also bustling with activity! After 2 winters in the barrel, our "Erste Lagen" reserves from the Heiligenstein, Käferberg, and Lamm vineyards have been filled just in time for the TOUR DE VIN 2024. We are very much looking forward to opening our cellars once again to all wine enthusiasts during the weekend of May 3rd to 5th, together with all the traditional wine estates of the Danube region. Let yourself be inspired by a wonderful program, with great winemaker friends and chefs announced.
