Graf Huyn
Siebeneich
We do a lot by hand.
Many years ago I asked myself: How can you run a wine estate and still lead a normal life? That’s what made me decide to join the Cantina Bolzano wine-growing cooperative. The Steinerhof is a family enterprise or rather a one-man business, and without the support of the cooperative everything would be much, much harder. I’ve never regretted the decision I took back then; it was one of my best decisions ever. Now I can concentrate fully on growing the grapes, which is the most important thing for me. We still do a lot by hand, like harvesting the grapes of course, but also thinning the leaves and other jobs. I’ve converted some of the machinery to electrical operation, with the electricity supplied by the photovoltaic system mounted on the farm building.
Sustainability is a big issue.
On our sites we grow mainly Merlot as well as Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s important for me to work in harmony with nature as far as possible. For example, I keep the vines free of grass and wild plants with a kind of brush connected to the small vineyard tractor. I mean, my family and I live in the middle of the vineyard. In such a situation you think twice about what you use. At all events, sustainability is a big issue for me, and I intend to keep it that way.
I also want to lead a normal life.
In Alto Adige, vine training nearly always took the form of the overhead pergola. But vertical trellising, which makes for easier working, is now becoming increasingly common, and we’ve completed the changeover on all our sites. That was done to make sure we are not completely overwhelmed by work. I’m a wine grower with all my heart, but I also want to lead a normal life. But I’ve already said that.
