Last week we concluded the harvest of Zweigelt and St. Laurent.

All grapes were entirely healthy, and the first onset of botrytis was cut down. The healthy grapes with their fine, fruity taste and an ideal sugar gradation of 19° KMW (Klosterneuburger Mostwaage) will result in wines of ca. 12% alcohol. In the lower vineyards the leaves have turned brown as a result of the cold. On the hills around Langenlois the autumn colouring is glorious. On the terraced vineyards, that is, in all the greatest vineyards of our Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, the maturation is still progressing.

We will finish the Pinot Noir harvest next week, Langenloiser Spiegel Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc as well as a part of the Chardonnay are also on the list.

During the last ten days we have also started to harvest our Grüner Veltliner "leicht&trocken" (L+T 2004) to preserve its light and fresh taste. Other Grüner Veltliner vineyards will probably have their turn in about a fortnight.

We have found confirmed that the best Zweigelt, St. Laurent and Pinot Noir grapes come from vines on which we cut the bunches of grapes in half during the vegetative period. They do not show more sugar than the others, but the berries are entirely healthy and their taste is more delicate. (See: Pea-Sized Berries in the Vineyard under Winery News)