The 2024 harvest season for Domäne Wachau has been a testament to the unpredictability of nature and the resilience of the Wachau region’s winemakers. Over the past weeks, parts of eastern Europe and eastern Austria faced severe natural catastrophes, with heavy rains causing rivers to swell and massive flooding across Lower Austria.
The areas most affected included Waldviertel, Kamptal, and regions surrounding the Danube and its tributaries. However, thanks to early weather predictions and effective flood protection measures, Wachau largely escaped the worst of the water’s impact. Still, the rain, storms, and road closures added complexity to the harvest, demanding constant re-evaluation of conditions as work progressed.
The 2024 Vintage: Challenges Turned Opportunities
Despite the challenges posed by this extreme weather, there’s a growing sense of optimism that 2024 will yield an exceptional vintage for Domäne Wachau. While excess water can pose a threat to grapes, potentially leading them to over-saturate and burst, this is not a widespread concern for the current harvest. This year’s long, hot, and dry summer has proven beneficial in producing relatively loose grape clusters with thick skins, making the fruit more resilient against the recent deluge.
For the Wachau region’s signature varietals, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, the effects of the rain vary. Grüner Veltliner, in particular, has shown a strong capacity to handle the weather, with no major issues expected. However, the Riesling will require more careful attention, especially in the coming weeks, with meticulous hand selection to remove any damaged grapes.
Advantageous Vineyard Conditions
Domäne Wachau’s hillside vineyards, such as Axpoint, Kreuzberg, and Kirnberg, played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of the rain. These steep terrace sites have excellent drainage systems, and the vineyard soils retained minimal water, ensuring that the grapevines didn’t suffer from waterlogging. Wachau’s terroir, known for its shallow, non-retentive soils, worked in favor of the harvest, as water quickly dissipated after the storms. This set Wachau apart from other regions, where deeper soils held onto the excess water, complicating vineyard access. By harvesting most of the Danube-adjacent sites promptly after the rain, Domäne Wachau’s vignerons were able to keep the grapes in excellent condition.
Additionally, the structure of Domäne Wachau, built around nimble and flexible vignerons, allowed the team to react quickly to changing conditions and continue harvesting even in challenging weather. This adaptability ensured that quality remained the top priority throughout the season.
Slowed Ripening and Ideal Harvest Timing
One unexpected advantage of the heavy rains was a slowdown in the ripening process, which had accelerated in the weeks prior due to the hot summer. This slower development allowed the grapes to reach optimal maturity, balanced with the season, without the risk of high alcohol levels that might have necessitated an earlier harvest.
While many regions across Austria have already completed their 2024 harvest, the Wachau region’s top single vineyards (Rieds) still have grapes hanging, benefitting from extended hang times, cool nights, and sunny days — the perfect conditions for developing deep, complex aromas in the fruit. Domäne Wachau anticipates that the remaining harvest will span another three weeks, a timeframe that is seen as ideal for maximizing the potential of this year’s crop.
A Small, But High-Quality Harvest
While the overall quality of the grapes is currently very high, Domäne Wachau expects a smaller-than-usual harvest for 2024. This reduced yield can be traced back to the spring frost, which hit certain sections of Wachau particularly hard. Some vineyards, especially on the right bank of the Danube and in areas like the Spitzer Graben and Weissenkirchen, saw up to a 50% loss in crop due to the cold.
Despite the challenges presented by both frost and heavy rain, Domäne Wachau remains confident that the 2024 vintage will be one to remember. The combination of late-season cool nights and extended hang times is fostering the development of rich, aromatic fruit, positioning this year’s wines for greatness.
Future Challenges and Recovery
Though the vineyards have weathered the storms, the region’s iconic stone terraces did not escape unscathed. The heavy rains caused numerous terraces throughout Wachau to collapse, and while this will not impact the harvest, it presents a significant restoration project for the winter. Rebuilding these terraces will be a crucial task to preserve the heritage and functionality of the region’s steep vineyard sites, ensuring they remain productive for future vintages.