For sustainable and ecological viticulture.

For the sake of the environment. PIWIS.

The new grape varieties

The biggest challenge in viticulture?

Plant protection.

Our traditional grape varieties (e.g.: Pinot Blanc, Morillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, …) are threatened by the two most harmful fungi, oidium and downy mildew. Without proper treatment, they can lead to a total loss in the vineyards. Like phylloxera, these fungal pests were introduced to Europe from North America in the 19th century. At that time, large parts of the European vineyard area were destroyed in a very short time.

In conventional viticulture, the vines are protected by the intensive use of synthetic chemical pesticides. According to EuroStat (the EU’s statistical office), viticulture uses by far the most pesticides per hectare and year compared to all other agricultural products in the EU. Even organic viticulture relies on treatments with copper and sulfur. More than 10 sprays per year are necessary to combat these fungi. Spraying pollutes the environment and the climate. Not all grapes can always be protected from infestation.

The promising alternative?

Fungus-resistant vines, or “PIWIs” for short.

New PIWI circular route

Discover the advantages of new, environmentally friendly grape varieties (PIWI) for viticulture on a 0.3 km walk through our vineyard. At several stations you will learn how these grape varieties actively contribute to environmental protection. Afterwards, we cordially invite you to a wine tasting (Natural Wine).

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Optional: guided tour of the nature trail

(please register in advance)

Prices:

Guided tour + tasting (min. 4 wines): € 12.00 per person

Tasting (min. 4 wines): € 6.00 per person

Purchase of 6 bottles or more of wine: free tasting.

What are PIWI grape varieties?

PIWIs (fungus-resistant vines) are resistant to oidium and downy mildew, so we can largely avoid spraying. Currently, this is the most sustainable and environmentally (eco-) friendly way to produce wine. Since 2011, we have been planting the robust, innovative and high-quality PIWI vines, such as Muscaris, Souvignier Gris, Chardonel and Blütenmuskateller. This reduces the impact on environment and the climate, our organic vineyards have become even more ecological as a result.

Why PIWIs?

Environmentally friendly

The reduced need for approx. 80-90% fewer pesticides reduces the environmental impact and protects the soil.

Economical

The reduced amount of work involved in caring for these grape varieties, e.g. fewer tractor journeys, saves time and money.

Best wine quality

Despite their resilience, PIWI grape varieties produce high-quality wines with diverse aromas.

According to a Swiss study, the cultivation of PIWIs can improve the ecological balance of a vineyard by up to 60%.

Organic and Piwis, this is the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way to produce wine.

– Karl Renner, Organic Winery Renner

How are PIWIs created?

PIWIs are hybrids of our native varieties with fungus-resistant vines of American or Asian origin. American and Asian grape varieties have developed resistance to fungal diseases over millions of years. They are hybridized with European varieties. Good to know: PIWIs are created through classical grapevine breeding and have not been genetically modified.

The pollen of the father variety is applied to the flowers of the mother variety. New plants are then grown from the seeds of the berries. Because in classical cross-breeding the seedlings are not all the same, a new variety is only approved for cultivation after many years of laborious selection work – first in a glasshouse and later in the field. This process can take between 10 and 20 years. However, the potential for a new wine variety is ultimately only about one to three plants from 10,000 seeds of a cross.

“PIWIS unify the excellent grape and wine characteristics of our conventional grape varieties with the resistance of their crossbreeding partners to oidium and downy mildew. PIWI vines make it possible to largely avoid the use of pesticides.” — PIWI International