Sylvia Heinrich: Burgenland winemaker relies on sustainable organic wine

Sylvia Heinrich: Burgenland winemaker relies on sustainable organic wine

Silvia Heinrich, a renowned winemaker from Deutschkreutz, is in the process of harvesting the grapes for her coming year. She is proud that her red wine has already been enjoyed by prominent personalities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Chinese President. Their philosophy of operating as natural and sustainable as possible is reflected in the manual work, which is used for the grape harvest. "In the harvest time I have about 20 helpers and I do not use any insecticides or herbicides," she explains.

This year Silvia Heinrich decided to switch to organic generation with about half of her 38 hectares of vineyards. This step is a reaction to the increasing demand for organic wine, both in Germany and abroad. "We also export worldwide and want to participate in this trend," she adds. However, the switch to biological cultivation also brings challenges because the costs are higher and you need more employees.

on medium and long-term plans

The yield of the current grape harvest is estimated at around 200,000 kilos, which means a lower yield compared to previous years, but the quality of the grapes is exceptionally high. "We have an excellent start to the reading with sugar degrees of 20 degrees," says Heinrich enthusiastically. "The wine lovers can already look forward to the 2024 year!" The main variety in your range is the Blaufränkischen, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zweigelt and other red wines.

On the question of when her wines will be available, the winemaker reports that the base wines should be available in about a year, while the premium wines will mature in oak barrels for up to five years.

market development and employee needs

In the future, the committed winemaker has clear ideas: "It is becoming increasingly difficult to find qualified specialists," she explains. She appeals to young people to be trained in vineyards in order to meet the demand for well -trained staff. "Every large company is desperately looking for a knowledgeable staff, so the graduates have the best prospects for great jobs," she emphasizes.

Finally, Silvia Heinrich gives an important tip to the wine drinking culture: "It is a myth that red wine should be drunk warmly. In fact, the full taste unfolds with a slight cooling to a maximum of 16 degrees. A good 'red' can also be enjoyed in summer and fits perfectly with different dishes," she says and emphasizes that the wine not only with meat, but also well with fish and noodle dishes harmonized.

If you would like to find out more about the developments in the wine industry or details about the wines of Silvia Heinrich, you will find comprehensive information here .