As in previous years, Seewinkel also showed its hot and dry side in 2022. Heat and drought are no longer exceptions here, but have characterized the terroir around Lake Neusiedl since 2017.
And 2022 was no exception: a very warm spring resulted in record-breaking early budding. May brought some cooling - cooler nights and moderate rain. This delayed the ripening phase. June, July and August impressively demonstrated the power of the Pannonian summer. Several heat waves of over 35 °C challenged our team in the vineyard. Targeted foliage work was essential to protect the grapes, provide them with some shade and preserve their aromas. Our vines are now able to cope with these conditions. In recent years, we have consistently invested in soil work: Shallow-rooted shoots were removed and the vines were virtually forced to take deeper roots.
September was warm, dry and perfect. Our grapes reached an impressive physiological ripeness. Then, at the beginning of October, it finally arrived: the botrytis. Gentle rain showers encouraged its development. The 2022 Kracher collection was harvested in three waves: Mid-October, late October and late November. Three perfect botrytis phases. The grapes shrank rapidly, sugar and acidity concentrated - a true gift of nature.
The result is a vintage full of finesse and fruit. We will certainly not forget the 2022 vintage in a hurry and it will continue to give us pleasure for decades to come.
Since 1995, there is a revolutionary system introduced by Alois Kracher: All Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA‘s) of one year are numbered. The denser a wine, the higher its number on the label.
The 2022 collection comprises a total of five varieties. As in previous years, it was not possible to vinify a Muscat Ottonel Trockenbeerenauslese in 2022, as this thick-skinned variety defies botrytis too well. This year, all of the Chardonnay went into our Grande Cuvée.