Nikolaihof is a place where time literally stands still. Situated in the Wachau Valley in Austria, it is the oldest wine estate in Austria tracing its roots back to Roman times and also the first biodynamic estate in the world (yes, even before Nicholas Joly). In fact, they still use their 350 year old medieval wine press for some of their cuvées.
The estate makes some of the most precise, ethereal and profound Rieslings and white wines in the world. These award winning wines are natural in every sense: no chemicals, no enzymes, no commercial yeasts, etc.
Nikolaihof has been making ‘biodynamic’ wine since the mid 1800s, before Steiner coined the term. They are quick to point out that they did not become biodynamic by plan, rather they could not afford chemicals, so they learned to do without. And they never looked back or answered the chemical peddlers phone calls.
And yet, what really puts paid to everything Nikolaihof stands for are the wines that receive extended aging (up to 15 years) in large oak casks before bottling.
We’ve recently received their 2015 Harvest News and would like to share it with you.
In October, when days get shorter and the leaves change colour, the wine year at Nikolaihof reaches its most exciting phase.
Despite this summer’s five intensive heat periods, we are very happy with the quality and the quantity of the harvest. Working according to biodynamic DEMETER-principles and the many sunny days and cool nights will make the 2015 vintage a perfectly fruity and elegant wine. A very precise but delicate and fine aroma and its excellent storage potential are characteristics of our wines that are valued by our guests, friends and customers alike.
The 2015 vintage will feature the whole range of Nikolaihof wines – from Grüner Veltliner Hefeabzug to Grüner Veltliner- and Riesling Smaragd.
With the 2002 Nikolaihof Steinriesler, we were proud to present another Riesling Federspiel, which has been bottled in spring after 13 years storage in a big old oak cask in our antique wine cellar.
Like in recent years, also this October we have set in motion our 350 year old wooden beam press – worldwide the largest still existing. We use it once a year to make Nikolaihof’s special “Baumpresse” wine. The Riesling will be available in a limited edition after maturing some years in our Roman wine cellar.
We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Your Saahs Family
You can see a list of Nikolaihof wines we carry here in our inventory as well as the 2011 Vom Stein Riesling Federspiel Trocken currently listed at BCLDB.
As always if you are interested in purchasing these wines drop us a line at: info@sedimentarywines.com.