A warm and humid start to the year
After a very wet and sunny 2023 vintage, the year started without much snow and with a relatively warm and wet spring here in Andau. A good water supply is particularly important during the dormant phase of the vines in order to build up reserves for the coming growth. In March, we already recorded temperatures of up to 30 degrees, and the vines were already budding in most vineyards at the end of March. Earlier than ever before, a good 2-3 weeks ahead – a very early vintage could be seen at this early stage.
Late frost and favorable weather conditions
Then, at the end of April, there was a brief cooling off: Father Frost came knocking again in our region, but thanks to the positive influence of Lake Neusiedl, the Andau winegrowers did not experience any significant frost. In May there were a few heat storms and light hail in places, but here too we were lucky and the Andau vines were spared. Flowering at the end of May went very well, but was again very early, so that a very early harvest was to be expected. The generally wet spring, combined with the mostly warmer than average weather, allowed our vines to grow quickly and we could hardly keep up with the work in the vineyard.
A hot and dry summer
In June, summer suddenly arrived here in Burgenland. Temperatures of up to 34°C and a very sunny, mostly dry summer with temperatures of up to 36°C allowed our grapes to ripen quickly. Numerous tropical nights made us sweat with our vines. Those of us who harvested verjus – juice from green grapes – were already able to unpack the pruning shears in mid/late July. The grapes for the sparkling base wines were then brought in as early as mid-August.
An early main harvest
At the end of August, it was off to the vineyard for all of us! The main harvest started earlier than ever before in Andau. The fruity white wine varieties such as Muscat, Sauvignon, but also Chardonnay and Welschriesling were already in the cellar at the end of August, as were Pinot Noir and Sankt Laurent. Zweigelt and Grüner Veltliner were then the main focus in the first weeks of September, followed by the late varieties Cabernet, Merlot and Blaufränkisch.
Around September 10, the first rains came and the weather cooled down considerably. Most of the Andau vines were already busily fermenting in the cellar, and the late red wine varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot and Blaufränkisch were able to refuel with fruit and spice before going into the cellar.
A promising vintage
In summary, we can be very, very satisfied with the 2024 vintage in Andau – nature was very kind to us and kept major storm damage away from Andau. Small-berried, thick-skinned and completely healthy grapes could be harvested for the most part and provided the basis for full-bodied, spicy red wines and wonderfully fresh white wines.
The first 2024s have already been filled and can be tasted and purchased at the wineries!
