Weingut Ploder Rosenberg is a Biodynamic and permacultural estate winery in St Peter am Ottersbach, in the Vulkanland Steiermark region of Austria. It produces some of its wines from interspecific hybrids or PIWIs such as Bronner and Souvignier Gris.

Background: Alfred Ploder, the third of five children, learned the handicraft of growing fruits and viticulture. He graduated as a winemaker with diploma in 1961. Alfred Ploder and his wife Maria took over the family owned estate in 1986 (their children are Lydia and Manuel). At this time they gave up all elements of the fruit business and transformed the farm in a wine estate. They planted new vines and invested in a totally new wine-cellar. Alfred is the viticulturist and was winemaker until 2011 and Maria is responsible for marketing and sales. From 2011 their son Manuel Ploder has made the wines.

Alfred Ploder, Winegrower: Comprehensive education and graduation from agricultural college, commercial college for fruit trees, viticulture, master of fruit tree cultivation, wine grower and cellar master, agricultural business training, certified training in biological winemaking, study of herbs and spices, permaculture academy, graduate in winemaking, anthroposophic training both at home and abroad, visionary and dynamic developer of valuable models and systems outside the main stream of society. Hobbies and interests: Listening to the radio, reading, travel, good food & wine, philosophising……

Maria Ploder: Go-getting and totally unflappable with an overview of everything. Fully qualified sales assistant, additional qualifications in decoration, design, cuisine, grafting; agricultural business schooling, qualified sommelier with degree, certified herb specialist and training in permaculture; First contact person in sales, office, finance, appointments. Hobbies and interests: Enjoying life, cooking, gardening, traveling, listening to the radio. 

Lydia Ploder: Networker, fairy with a lots of talents. Of the 1986 vintage, she is a graduate of wine marketing at HAK in Leibnitz, law student at Graz University, passionate about extreme sports, enjoys yoga and being in the vineyards as the balance in her life, loves experimenting in the kitchen and is interested in various forms of nutrition. Prefers white wine to red and just loves coffee. In the vineyard she is their “Girl Friday” but in particular as system administrator with an affinity for marketing, presentations and sales.

The Winery over the years: “When you make a Decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen!” Permaculture is increasingly becoming an integral part of our wine estate – all according to the approved standard of Demeter quality. The lines of “Feine Klassiker” and “Naturial’ s” with the premium and Reserve wines – are preparing the way for the well established archaic, skin fermented, amber-coloured and unfiltered works of wine; All new and replacement plantings are using PIWIs (fungus resistant varieties). It is our intention to extend our range of wine using more styles of wine!

2012: The first essences from amphorae are bottled and marketed as “Real wine from Ploder – Rosenberg” Addition of the areas of “Steinriegel” and “Mitteregg” to our own land. Purchase of additional grapes from non-certified bio producers no longer takes place. Manuel has his first harvest and takes over responsibility for the cellar.

2009: No more small animals. All our areas of cultivation are in the last transitional year. Limitations on purchase of additional grapes and determination of biodynamic alternative production. The Sauvignon Blanc line is now skin fermented.

2008: First skin fermentations in stone containers. We have been supported and motivated for years by bio pioneers and trainees in our interesting development work and training in biodynamic agriculture.

2007: All our areas of cultivation will now be cultivated using biodynamic principles. Start of huge amounts of work for all those involved in the winery.

2006: Expansion of the vineyard areas to Eichholz, Milchkeller and Kreuzfeld. First significant plantings of PIWIs (fungus resistant grape varieties). Change in the new cultivation areas to biodynamic methods. Instead of 300 l barriques being used, toasted 600 litre stettins are obtained. No more wooden barrels.

2005: Extension to the winery of an innovative seminar, tasting and office building. We acquire additional support in sales as well as in organisation. | 2003: Additional vineyard area at “Kapellen”. Loyal sales partners enable us to bring increased quality onto the market. | 2001: Additional vineyard area at “Lutenberg”. We happily obtain more wooden barrels for long term storage of works of wine.

2000: Garden areas round the cellar are finished. Inspirations from art and culture tastefully enrich our design room and motivate our wine drinking buddies!

1998: Eradication of apple tree cultivation areas and extensive expansion of the vineyards with “Alte Riede, Ettigarten & Luttenberg.” More and more wines from Ploder – Rosenberg surprise and delight!

1993: 100% of the wine production bottled in 0.75 l bottles is labeled as quality wine. All orchards are protected with hailstone nets. Top producer of handmade fruit juices and nectars.

1989: For the first time premium batches are matured in small barriques

1986: Maria and Alfred Ploder take over the business of winemaking, fruit and fruit juices. Extensive purchase of grapes from contractual partners compensate for their own small amount of cultivation area in the vineyards.

1982: Alfred Ploder vinifies his first vintage according to his own ideas and perceptions. Strawberries are planted.

1976: Further planting of fruit trees (mainly apple trees) and vineyards

1968: First premium vines – Weissburgunder and Samling 88 are planted

1964: Planting of apples, pears, plums, cherries, red currants and tobacco in the dynamic, small farm. In the vineyard there are direct producer vines for our own use.

Mission statement: ‘My land is a mark of who I am.’–from their website. ‘We have made it our mission to strive for ecological balance on all levels for the common good. That’s why we try to optimise that which can be made even better. Large wooden containers for long-term storage are being used more and more in our cellr. A state photovoltaic system provides considerable amounts of electricity and instead of a garden that is pleasing to the eye, we have invested massively in permaculture hills, fruit trees, fruit bushes and insect hotels. An end to our self sufficiency programme is not in sight. Above all, when we annually harvest the fruit of our labours in the form of our fruit and numerous vegetables we get a great feeling of personal satisfaction. It feels really good to feed ourselves. To the question, whether its worth it or not economically, growth doesn’t always need to be about materialism and getting bigger, but more about the details, the diversity and quality of our work. We harvest our produce with joy and extreme satisfaction.’ Source: the estate website, retrieved 17 May 2020.

Terroir: St. Peter / Ottersbach – South Eastern district of Styria – Austria. In the midst of the Vulkanland area of Styria, the soil consists of sandy clays, gravel bases, deposits of weathered material as well as from place to place various very distinct volcanic influences. All the main spas and sources of mineral water can be found in this region. This fertile area is characterised by the charm of the Mediterranean south as well as having an Illyrian climate coupled with continental and Pannonian influences.

Vineyards: South-east Styria. 12.5 hectares (31 acres) of estate vineyards. Volcanic soils. Also 34 acres from selected wine-growing partners. The Ploder family decided to change from an agricultural farm into a fruit plantation and then in 1967 they planted the first vines. They initially planted Pinot Blanc and Sämling, some years later this was followed by Müller Thurgau and Goldburger. The Rosenberg is the best single vineyard in the whole area. The moist warmth of the Mediterranean climate and the dry heat of the Pannonic climate meet here to create optimal conditions for growing the fruity-aromatic wines typical of this region. Precipitation, mainly in early and mid-summer, averages 32 to 40 inches.

Grape purchases: From 3 hectares (7.41 acres) owner by Robert Lieschnegg, whose vineyard is also Demeter-certified Biodynamic.

Inter-specific hybrids: The owners say ‘Styria is a classic “cool climate region” with an annual temperature of around 11°C and 800 – 1000 mm per year precipitation. Up to 70% of the annual rainfall falls from May to September. Mechanical cultivation of the vineyards is difficult. Frequent rainfall increases the danger of infection as well as risks doing work with machinery in steep terrain. The use of fungus resistant grape varieties considerably reduces the expenditure for plant protection and brings clear ecological benefits. It is very well possible to keep connecting sites healthy using PIWIs (fungus resistant grape varieties) with compost extracts, teas and cold extracts. This results in a clearly smaller exposure from us humans, animals, soil and plants. However, the most significant point is that the grapes grow independent of synthetic, systematic and strong influences. PIWIs are the basis of wines for a healthy body, spirit and soul.’

Biodynamics: Began with Biodynamics in 2006. 

Biodynamic Certification: 2010 First vintage with full organic certification (Lacon). | 2015 First vintage with full Demeter Biodynamic certification.

Biodynamics: In 2012: 500, 501, 508. 200m³ of compost. Make own teas. Loacker has helped them re homeopathy. Use cow urine.

Biodiversity, Polyculture: The owners say their objective has been to remodel the estate to permaculture principles. This means designing the economic activity of the estate around maximum self-sufficiency so that it works towards becoming an independent individual. A key tenet is that the farm generates its own fertility and becomes a self-sustaining living organism. The “organs of the farm” are the different types of agriculture (farming, rearing cattle and sheep, cultivation of vegetables, fruit and wine but also hedges, forests, humid and dry-meadow biotopes, wilderness areas, fruit and mulch meadows, rainwater storage, compost piles, greenhouses, herb terraces, beehives, hen houses, sheep pens, early vegetable beds, photovoltaic systems, vegetable and fruit storage facilities, etc.)

Sustainability: Solar panels.

White wines

Aero: ‘Aero’ is esperanto for ‘air’An orange (skin contact) wine. 2013 A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscaris, Muskateller and Traminer. 100% skin contact for 4 months outside. Aged 36 months in amphora. Nice acidity, slightly beer-like in early (Demeter Austria tasting, 2018). | 2013 50% Chardonnay, 50% Souvignier Gris (PIWI).

Blanca: 2016 13% alcohol. Mainly Sauvignon Gris, plus Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Frosty year.

Blutenmuskateller (PIWI):

Bronner (PIWI): 

Cara: 2018 Cara: L37/19. 40% Bronner, 30% Souvignier Gris, 15% Grüner Veltliner, 15% Pinot Blanc. 11.5% alc. 5.7g/l acidity. 1g/l residual sugar. Lovely sofy lemon hue with lees in suspension. Beautifully clear soft yellow fruit and salty tanginess which just draws you in naturally to take the next sip. This is an everyday white wine quaffer–refresher aperitif or food wine but with heaps of integrity and complexity as the delicate fruit is slightly tannic from the skin contact and enjoyably so. Utterly engaging (Sept 2021).

Gelber Muskateller: Gelber Muskateller is Muscat of Alexandria or Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. | 2011 Gelber Muskateller Trocken, Steiermark 10,000 bottles. 11.5% alcohol. L1201/12. Lacon. Mouthwateringly fresh dry citrus (Millésime Bio 2012).

Gelber Traminer:

Grauburgunder Reserve (Pinot Gris): 2011 Grauburgunder Rich and sexy oak (Millésime Bio 2012).

Grüner Vieltliner:

Morillon (Chardonnay) 2009 Chardonnay Reserve Oaky butternut (Millésime Bio 2012). | 2016 Soft fruit, vibrant acidity (Demeter Austria tasting, 2018). | 2015 Linea Destemmed. 24 months in oak. Very well made (Demeter Austria tasting, 2018).

Muscaris (PIWI):

Sauvignon Blanc: 2016 Fermented and aged in steel. Lovely texture (Demeter Austria tasting, 2018).

Sauvignon Blanc, Linea B: 2009 2,000 bottles. Very different style, more width at Millésime Bio January 2012. 

Souvignier Gris (PIWI): Manuel Ploder told me “Blanca is a special wine for us, our signature wine which shows our work at its best. 80% of our main grape variety, Souvignier Gris. But of course it is a Cuvée as we always did many of them. Through blending the wine also shows our diversity in the vineyards which is a goal of ours. Not only by different varieties of wine grapes but also with fruit trees growing in the row as well as insect hotels, deadwood piles and animals. The main grape of the wine is a hybrid or PIWI which is a big focus of us already since 2005. Disease resistant varieties help us to work as “low impact” as possible in the vinyards. The fermentation splits up into two parts. One part 50% of course has skin contact (as all of our wines). One part 50% ferments on the skins which is something we are working with for a long time.This wines somehow shows a lot – and if we could only pick one to show our work – we will always pick Blanca,” .

Tero: ‘Tero’ is esperanto for ‘earth’. 2013 50% each Chardonnay and Sauvignon Gris. 50% fermented and aged on skins for 12 months of which four months was in amphora. Nice acidity (Demeter Austria tasting, 2018).

Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc): 2011 Crisp modernist (Millésime Bio 2012).

Red wines

Blauer Zweigelt, Linea: 2015 13.5%. 28 year-old vines. Nice texture (Demeter Austria tasting, 2018).

Pinot noir:

Other activities: 2018 Looking to start making vegetable juice.

Contact

Weingut Ploder-Rosenberg

Unterrosenberg 86

8093 St Peter am Ottersbach, Austria

Website: www.ploder-rosenberg.at/en/