What to Do When You Own a Vineyard with Vines Aged Between 70 and 110 Years That Are in Excellent Condition?
Any winemaker not focused on mass production would likely say that such a vineyard should absolutely be preserved. However, they might then ask which grape variety is involved. If the answer were Blauer Portugieser, many would probably pause and reconsider their initial statement.
Not so Daniel Sigmund. He is the actual owner of the very vineyard hypothetically mentioned here. Situated at an altitude of 820 meters, his vines extend their roots deep into phyllite, a fine-crystalline, foliated slate rock with a high quartz content. The planting density is an astonishing 9,500 vines per hectare.
The reason for the vineyard’s existence is that the now unpopular Blauer Portugieser once enjoyed an excellent reputation well into the early 20th century and was widely cultivated from Burgenland to Württemberg and South Tyrol. Demonstrating why this was the case is both Daniel Sigmund’s mission and his commitment. He meticulously tends to his vines by hand, accepts minimal yields, ferments the perfect grape material spontaneously and without temperature control, and then matures the wine for 11 months in used barriques, followed by another five months in stainless steel tanks.
The result is fine-fruited, subtle, elegant, and light-footed. Due to the vineyard’s altitude, the wine also possesses remarkable freshness. Its texture is delicate, the structure soft and inviting. The finish is deep and long-lasting. All in all, this is a truly unique drinking experience.
Technical Data
- Grape variety: Blauer Portugieser
- Vineyard: 70–110-year-old vines on a south-facing slope in the Eisack Valley at up to 820 meters, with a vine density of 9,500 vines/ha
- Harvest: Hand-picked
- Fermentation: Spontaneous | wild yeasts | no temperature control
- Aging: 11 months in used barriques and 5 months in stainless steel tanks
- Filtration: No
- SO₂: < 25mg/l
- Alcohol content: 11% vol.
- Closure: Natural cork
- Serving temperature: 16–18°C
- Optimal drinking window: From now – 2035
- Bottle size and price per liter: 0.75 l (€44.87/l)
All winemakers listed at Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertilizers, and natural preparations in their vineyards and refrain from using herbicides, pesticides, or artificial fertilizers.
