Scheiblhofer winery: Sustainability drives viticulture in Burgenland!

Scheiblhofer winery: Sustainability drives viticulture in Burgenland!

Burgenland, Österreich - Viticulture in Austria is increasingly developing towards sustainability. An outstanding example is Erich Scheiblhofer's winery, which installed the first 100 kW photovoltaic system in Burgenland 20 years ago. The Winemaker has successfully managed the family business since 2000 and made it from a small company an important player in the region. The winery offers a variety of attractions, including event halls, a guest house, a restaurant and a wellness hotel. The best -known wines include the strong red wines and the fruity white wines, which are newly introduced in the range, such as the Cool John and the Premium White Cuvée. A special feature of the Cool John is his thermographic label, which changes the color at the optimal drinking temperature.

Sustainability is a central concern in the operation of Scheiblhofer. The largest private photovoltaic system in Burgenland is used for the energy supply of the winery, and the newly opened wellness hotel has a consistently sustainable energy concept that relies on water-water heat pumps and photovoltaics. Investments in the hotel and in sustainable technologies are a medium eight -point amount. Although there were difficulties in implementing sustainable projects at the beginning, Scheiblhofer now has more support from authorities. Planned events such as the "Weinpicknick" on Andreasberg are aligned to strengthen the community and as part of the sustainable approach.

innovations in viticulture

other wineries, such as the Wilhelmshof, also rely on innovative approaches in sustainable viticulture. Under the direction of Herbert Roth, which was sensitized by the book "Limits of Growth", experimentation is experimented there with resource -saving techniques and new grape varieties. Around 40 percent of the current generated electricity comes from photovoltaic systems, and the plans for another photovoltaic system with power storage are already on the table. However, this has so far been delayed by the network operator due to approval problems. The use of an energy -efficient wood carcass kettle to reduce heating oil consumption by 70 percent shows the commitment of the Wilhelmshof for environmentally friendly practices.

An exciting research project is "Viivoltaic" that was launched by the Geisenheim University of Applied Sciences. The aim of this project is to examine the effects of solar modules on viticulture with regard to climate change. The concept of agri photovoltaics is used here, which enables a double use: solar modules are attached over the vineyards, while the grapes ripen. This could not only increase energy generation, but also improve the resilience of the vines compared to climate -related challenges.

challenges and opportunities

The challenges for viticulture through climate change are enormous, including dry stress, irregular weather events and higher ripening temperatures. Innovative approaches such as Agri-Photovoltaic could help mitigate the negative effects, for example by improving the microclimate of the vines and regulating the water balance. In addition, answers to research questions to increase quality and reduce the use of pesticides are of great importance.

The future of viticulture in Austria could be characterized by these innovative and sustainable possibilities. Both Erich Scheiblhofer and the other pioneers in the area of sustainable viticulture show that environmental protection and economic success can go hand in hand. The development of the market for sustainable products and the possibility of combining the wine elder with modern technologies give hope for a positive trend in the industry.