Emmerich Knoll plans the terrain to best advantage and tinkers with the finer details with the precision of a Swiss clock-maker. The Kellerberg is one of the finest individual locations in the world and because of its specific geological nature produces very special wines. Their minerality and singularity make them wines which consistently distinguish themselves.
Soil Profile Schütt:
The vineyard was formed on a stream debris cone at the end of the Menthalgraben trench. Deep gneiss weathering material, with excellent drainage properties thanks to the low fine earth fraction, forms the basis for unsurpassed quality, even in difficult years. The vineyard was already documented in 1289, the name clearly referring to the geological origins of this vineyard, through which the border between the cadastral communes of Dürnstein and Unterloiben also runs.
Before it was tamed, the Mentalbach carried sand, rubble and rocks between Höhereck and Loibenberg into the Danube valley after heavy rainfall occurrences. In contrast to the smoothly flowing waters of the Danube, the sediments from torrents are coarse-grained and unsorted. The rubble, only rounded at the edges, attests to a short transport path. Compared to the terrace locations with Gföhl gneiss, the soils in the Schütt area are sandier and stonier, while also very deep.
Soil Profile Kellerberg:
The Kellerberg takes its name from the Kellerschlössl in Dürnstein. The name is therefore also relatively new (1787), and was apparently introduced as a collective name for a multitude of smaller vineyards, two of which are still preserved and are used as sub-vineyards today.
The Kellerberg is composed of Gföhl gneiss, a metamorphic rock that was transformed from a granitic parent rock (plutonite).
Due to the south-east orientation of the Kellerberg, the vineyards faced away from the westerlies during the glaciations. This resulted in deeper loess deposits than on the slopes facing west. Loess can still be found in patches on the Kellerberg. Erosion on the slopes caused mixing of the glacial sediments with Gföhl gneiss material. This is reflected in the denser wines produced on the Kellerberg.
Soil Profile Loibenberg:
As already suggested by the name, this vineyard is located on the Loibenberg, which shapes the overall appearance of the townscape. The vast extent and great differences in altitude have led to the distinction of a total of 4 official vineyard sections and a multitude of small differences, which local winemakers bring to prominence in maturing. The geology is dominated by Gföhl gneiss, although there are also several parcels where loess patches developed, further emphasising the diversity. The vineyard was documented in 1381, when is was still called "leub_n perig".
The profile comes from a middle slope on the Loibenberg. The parent rock is Gföhl gneiss, a metamorphic rock that was transformed from an acidic, granitic parent rock.
The sandy and stony soil favours water drainage and facilitates root growth. The soil also warms readily, allowing early budding of the vines in spring.
Erosion on the slope has mixed in glacial, calcareous loess material. In turn, progressive soil development has caused natural decalcification, which is why the topsoil today contains only a few percent carbonate. In contrast, the parent rock still clearly contains secondary carbonates, i.e. precipitates from the soil solution, in the form of coatings and fillings.
Styles:
Steinfelder is the name of the light, aromatic wines produced in the Wachau wine-growing region. The Steinfelder (Stipapinnata) - the feather-light grass of the steep vineyards of the valley landscape gave these cheerful wines their name. Steinfelder wines can be produced from all types of good quality Wachau white wines. The grapes are required to have a must weight of at least 15° KMW. The musts are always classically dry fermented. The alcohol content of these wines is a maximum 11.0 Vol.%, in other words, quite low. The Wachau is a wine-growing area that, due to its natural climate and soil conditions, allows wines to be pressed which have such a low alcohol content but which still fulfil the highest expectations in regard to charm and richness of nuance.
Federspiel - These are Wachau wines which have the Kabinett classification and a must weight of 17° KMW or more and an alcohol content of between 11.5 and 12.5 Vol.%. Without exception, these wines are classically dry-fermented and represent speciality wines which are achievable in this quality only in good locations and vintages. They are distinguished by their charmingly fruity character and their robust delicacy. The name Federspiel recalls the ancient custom of retrieving the hunting bird during falconry – a traditional form of hunting practised by the nobility in the Wachau in former times. Federspiel wines are an extension of the Steinfeder category and can be produced from all types of good quality white wine which are produced in the Wachau. They are pressed according to general legal requirements and are also subject to quality controls of the Vinea Wachau association.
Smaragd - This designation was first applied to wines of the 1986 vintage and now describes the best, most valuable wines from the Wachau. These wines, which have a minimum must weight of 18.2° KMW, ripen only on the sunniest vineyards and even then can be picked only in very good vintage years. Emerald (smaragd) lizards feel especially comfortable amongst the terraced vineyards of the Wachau. On fine days, they bask in the sun next to the grapevines and have become the symbol for Wachau wines with their mature physiological ripeness. These particularly valuable wines, with an alcohol content of 12.5 Vol.% or more can only be produced in the very best years. In keeping with ancient Wachau tradition they are dry-fermented until fermentation ceases naturally. Sweet wines with 9g/Lt or more of residual sugar are excluded. The bottles are sealed with long corks (min. 49 mm), which are stamped with the vintage. Even after 25 years or longer of being correctly stored these wines are still a source of joy. All types of good quality white wines are approved. Wines designated as “Smaragd” can only be sold after the 1st of May of the year following the grape harvest. The “Smaragd” wine category represents an exceptional Wachau speciality, which is therefore subject to appropriately stringent quality controls.
