Spitz

Spitz lies in the Wachau section of the Danube Valley in Lower Austria. Locally, the Wachau is defined as the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems. Pannonian climate influences from the east meet cooler, more humid air that flows off through forested side valleys and ensures sustained air circulation.

The vineyards around Spitz are situated on steep terraces that rise to about 450 metres above sea level and therefore around 250 metres above the Danube. The geological range includes Spitz gneiss, schists, amphibolite, crystalline limestone and marble. Locally, loess and ice-age gravel lie over weathered crystalline rock; in the protected basin at Rote Tor, extensive deposits of loess were formed through wind transport during the last ice ages.

Viticulture is characterised by steep, terraced sites. Dry stone walls, narrow terraces and a high density of planting are part of the cultivation of steep locations. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the dominant grape varieties of the Wachau wine-growing region associated with Spitz; in addition, Weißburgunder, Neuburger, Muskateller and other varieties are cultivated. Honivogl is documented as a designation for a Grüner Veltliner from the Franz Hirtzberger winery in Spitz.

The area of Spitz is documented in a charter from the year 830; vineyards are repeatedly mentioned there since the ninth century. The Rote Tor is the last surviving of seven historic fortification gates of the town; the name is locally linked with fighting during the Thirty Years’ War. The present-day terraced landscape of the Wachau developed substantially after Bavarian and Salzburg monasteries began cultivating the slopes from the eighth century onwards. Wachau wines are classified as Steinfeder, Federspiel or Smaragd and stand for light, medium-strong respectively powerful dry styles. They are white and dry, with no influence from oak, and come exclusively from the Wachau wine-growing region.