N for Neustifter - N for nature
Organic winegrower Monika Neustifter runs the family winery together with her father Karl. About 24 hectares of vineyards are cultivated organically in and around Poysdorf. The Neustifters realized many years ago that healthy living soils are the most valuable basis for exceptional wines.
"Fruitiness, drinkability and the character of the respective grape variety are important to us," say Monika and Karl Neustifter, explaining their shared motivation in the vinification of their wines.
Grüner Veltliner
The main variety is Grüner Veltliner, which is grown in eight different styles - from light to strong, sweet to dry and even as Grüner Veltliner "Stockkultur." Sauvignon Blanc, Gelber Muskateller and Riesling complete the range among a few rarities. In addition to Veltliner and Rosé, the great passion is for red wines: as a red wine fan Karl Neustifter has been cultivating a great red wine tradition at the winery for more than 30 years. Zweigelt, Pinot Noir, Blaufränkisch and Cabernet Sauvignon grow magnificently on the limestone soils of the Weinviertel.
A real speciality is the Neustifter's "Stockkultur" vineyard. The effort required for cultivation and manual harvesting is up to four times higher than in the other vineyards of the winegrowing family. In that way the grapes benefit from the rapid physiological ripeness, the fully ripe aroma and the higher extract. The wine has a ageing potential of up to 30 years.
Respect for nature
Family Neustifters‘ work stands for the responsibility to the nature.
At the winery estate in Poysdorf, Karl and Monika Neustifter focus intensively on the health of their soils and work on a balanced soil management.
Karl and Monika Neustifter notice everything that happens outside in the vineyards, as well as the vitality of the soil, in a positive way when processing the grapes in the cellar.
Gardening in the vineyard: horn manure, pheromones, soil aeration
The "garden work" of organic winegrowers really begins in spring, after the winter pruning. For example pheromones are applied to confuse the grape berry moth: the sexual attractants prevent the pests from reproducing. Our own compost is spread in the vineyards. When the temperatures slowly rise, horn manure is spread as a "soil preparation" in the vineyards of the organic farm. This strengthens the soil and the root system of the vines. During vegetation it is particularly important to remove weeds under the vines. At the same time the soil is aerated to bring oxygen into the soil.
Homemade compost
The humus content of the soil is improved with a good compost made of pomace, green cuttings from the fields, straw, cattle manure and biochar from old vines. A lively healthy soil needs plants and good root penetration. Greening the vineyards is therefore particularly important. Hay tea, ferments and microorganisms are used to stimulate the growth of greenery in the vineyard and its implementation in the soil.
