NIKOLAIHOF
Wachau, Austria
Size: 22 hectares
Varieties of grapes: Riesling, Weissburgunder, Grüner Veltliner
The Nikolaihof is one of Austria's oldest vineyards, with a history dating back to the Roman Empire, almost 2000 years ago. Originally chosen by the Romans because it was considered a Celtic sanctuary before 800 BC, the foundations of the present house date back to a Roman tower that existed as early as 63 BC.
The Saahs family bought Nikolaihof in 1894. They continued to farm in an integrated way, and even when winemaking and viticulture became more important at Nikolaihof in the 1960s, no chemicals were ever used in the farming.
This estate has always been essentially organic.
Nikolaihof has been practising biodynamic farming since 1971, making it one of the world's oldest biodynamically farmed wineries.
Nikoliahof became a Demeter-certified biodynamic farm in 1998.