Harvest 2024
The 2024 harvest year began on April 10, when the sap flow in our vineyard resumed and the first signs of a new growing season became visible. As every year, this also meant that we had to prepare for the always tense period of night frost. The threat of frost often lingers until the “Ice Saints” (mid-May), and this year was no different.
On the night of April 23 to 24, our fears became reality. The temperature dropped to -2.1/-2.2 degrees Celsius, resulting in significant damage to our vineyard. It was difficult to predict the full extent of the damage, but it was clear that some shoots were partially or even completely frozen. In the weeks that followed, the picture slowly became clearer: the damage was considerable, with a loss of 35 to 40% of production. The damage was worst on the lower plots, while the vineyard on the slopes weathered the cold better. From that moment on, the vines had to start growing again, leading to irregular and slower development. This meant a lot of extra work, such as tying up and caring for the regrowth.
The weather remained unpredictable. From mid-May to early June, we experienced unsettled conditions, high temperatures, and plenty of rainfall. Still, the vineyard came back to life and began to recover. But the season of setbacks continued: flowering was far from ideal due to cold temperatures and rain, leading to less-than-optimal fruit set. This resulted in a smaller harvest volume, both in kilos and in liters.
The summer months of July and August, however, brought the much-needed stability. Temperatures rose to around 25–26 degrees, ideal for both vineyard and winemaker. The canopy had grown considerably, and the first trimming of the season was carried out. Leaf removal was also done in the grape zone to allow moisture to evaporate more quickly and to limit fungal pressure. Weeds were controlled mechanically, as we have not used herbicides for years.
In July and August, the grapes began to ripen, with sugar being transported via the sap flow into the berries. Thankfully, we had the necessary sunlight and warmth, resulting in beautiful ripening of the fruit. The quality was exceptional, thanks especially to the lower yields and excellent vineyard management.
On September 19, we started the 2024 harvest, beginning with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for our new sparkling wine. After the first harvest from this plot in 2022, the wine is expected to be released in early April 2025. Soon after, other varieties followed, such as Müller-Thurgau and Auxerrois. Unfortunately, the harvest confirmed earlier concerns: the number of liters was significantly lower than hoped. However, the quality was fantastic, with beautiful acidity, a good pH, and an excellent sugar content.
In October, the remainder of the harvest followed, and on October 16 we closed the harvest year with the last grapes, the Viognier. A special moment this year was the completion of our new wine cellar, which we had started building in September 2023. In October/November 2024, the cellar was finished and ready to receive its first liters of wine. This was an important milestone for our family and vineyard, and we cannot wait to show our guests this beautiful cellar and let them taste the 2024 wines.
Now that the vineyard is resting, we can look back on a season full of challenges but also with promising prospects. We look forward with optimism to the new growing season, which will be upon us in early April 2025. The work continues, but with the new cellar and the 2024 harvest, we are ready for it.