After a very hot summer with little rainfall, St Michael Eppan had prepared for the fact that the harvest would be earlier than in previous years. Despite the danger of drought in some areas, the copious rainfall at the end of July redressed the situation.
The harvest began on 1 September, with Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio, followed a few days later by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. At the end of September, the harvest of white grapes, Pinot Noir and Schiave grapes was completed. From next week, it will be the turn of Lagrein, Merlot and, around mid-October, Cabernet.
This was one of the most satisfying harvests: very healthy grapes at full ripeness, with high sugar content and, despite the high temperatures even during the harvest, well-calibrated acidity. One expects fragrant, balanced, complex whites with a nice minerality; and beautiful Pinot Noirs, which already present themselves with nice fruit and body. Although the structured reds are not yet in the cellar, they are in great shape in the vineyard.
The quantity in general is slightly higher than the 2021 vintage (+8%), but we are still talking about a select vintage, which focuses above all on quality.