Our Philosophy: Caring for Our Vines, Soil and Terroir

Vines

Our intention is to observe the vines within their own micro-ecosystem and give them what they need for healthy growth. A healthy grapevine is resilient and therefore less susceptible to infestation by fungi or insects.

Soil

First and foremost, we focus on good soil cultivation that gives the vine strength right from the roots. Depending on the vineyard site and soil conditions, which we analyze through soil samples, we use organic fertilizers such as composted green cuttings and manure, and completely refrain from mineral fertilizers. These organic soil amendments supply the vines with nutrients and help support soil organisms and microbial activity.

Erosion Control

Covering the soil with straw or composted green material helps protect our steep vineyards on the Roter Hang from soil erosion during heavy rainfall. It also helps retain moisture in the soil. The underlying soil can store precipitation better, and we create additional habitat for essential small organisms and insects such as earthworms, beetles, and many more that loosen the soil and enrich it with nutrients.

Cover Crops

Cover crops are another important part of our vineyard management. We use grass mixtures between the vine rows to improve accessibility for vineyard machinery, while deep-rooted plants such as yellow mustard and oil radish are sown in autumn and in young vineyards.

These cover crops help protect the soil from erosion during heavy rainfall. Deep-rooted plants also improve soil structure and aeration, supporting soil life. In addition, autumn cover crops absorb and retain nitrate that might otherwise be washed out of the soil during the wetter months. When the cover crops are incorporated into the soil, the stored nutrients can gradually be released and become available to the vines as growth resumes in spring.

Canopy Care

An open and well-managed canopy allows the grapes to dry more quickly after rainfall, helping to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. This enables us to tailor crop protection measures to the actual conditions in the vineyard.

Insect Protection

We achieve particularly comprehensive protection against the grapevine moth by hanging pheromones. These are the natural messenger substances of the female moth that attract the male for reproduction. The scent in the vineyards confuses the males so mating cannot occur. As a result, the wrapping of the grape clusters by the larvae is prevented and insecticides can be avoided.

Terroir

We are passionate about understanding the individual terroir of each vineyard and carefully tending our vines according to their specific soil conditions, location and seasonal needs. This attention to detail lays the foundation for expressive wines that reflect their origin.