Bread and Wine along the Camino de Santiago 2
Please note: This page was machine-translated. If anything is unclear, the German version is authoritative.
Viticulture in Saxony
The spread of grapevines to Central Europe was slow, as the climatic conditions were unfavorable for viticulture. Individual vines were found in the Elbe Valley as early as 929, but it took until 1161 for the first vineyard to be established in Saxony. It was located in Meissen, opposite the castle. According to tradition, Bishop Benno of Meissen was particularly instrumental in the beginnings of Saxon viticulture.
With the focus on the Elbe Valley between Diesbar and Pillnitz, Saxony had around 6,000 hectares of vineyards in the 17th century. The demand for arable land led to a decline in wine-growing areas.
When phylloxera (an insect that damages the roots of grapevines) appeared in 1880, viticulture in Saxony came to a virtual standstill. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that a grapevine resistant to phylloxera was discovered. The wine varieties known today were then grafted onto this vine. This led to a recovery in wine growing in Saxony, and today there are around 500 hectares again.
The cultivation is carried out by 37 wineries and around 2,500 hobby winegrowers, most of whom have joined together in the Winzergenossenschaft Meißen.With around 0.5% of the area, Saxony is one of the smallest of Germany's 13 wine-growing regions.
Nevertheless, there are more than 50 grape varieties in the Elbe Valley, with Müller-Thurgau leading the way. It is also worth mentioning that Goldriesling, a grape variety originally from Alsace, is now only found here in the Elbe Valley in Germany.
The winegrowers on the Elbe succeed in producing powerful and slightly acidic wines that are highly appreciated by wine lovers. Numerous international awards testify to the outstanding quality of Saxon wine.
For some time now, the old tradition of bottling Saxon wine in a very special bottle has been revived. Known as the “Sachsenkeule” due to its squat shape, it immediately catches the eye on the wine rack.
Viticulture in Zschepa
A vineyard was already marked on the first map of Saxony, which was drawn up by Matthias Oeder after 1586 on behalf of Elector Christian I and is now commonly referred to as the “Ur-Oeder.” Based on the scale used, it was probably 2 hectares in size.
Elector Friedrich August I. "der Starke" had Zschepa re-surveyed in 1730 in preparation for the so-called “Lustlager von Zeithain” (Zeithain pleasure camp). As can be seen on the map excerpt shown here, another vineyard had been established near the village in the meantime. This part of Zschepa is the highest and is not flooded even during major floods.
Over the years, both Zschepa vineyards have been abandoned. The older one is now farmland again and the younger one has been built over with houses. Our historic post mill (Bockwindmühle) is located at the end of this settlement. Although this vineyard no longer exists, at least its memory lives on in the street name “Weinbergstraße” (Vineyard Street).
Out of an interest in viticulture, the Schreiber family replanted vines on their farm property after 1970. At the same time, they became members of the winegrowers' cooperative (Winzergenossenschaft) in Meissen. Later, another piece of land was cleared in the village, so that today there are over 300 vines to tend and harvest at the end of the wine year.
There is a saying among winegrowers that “the vineyard wants to see its master every week.” This refers to tasks such as maintaining the wire framework, pruning and tying up the vines, removing shoots without grapes and suckers, defoliating the grape zone, topping (limiting height growth), taking appropriate measures against pests and fungal diseases, continuous soil cultivation, and weed management. Finally, the crowning glory is the harvest, i.e., the picking of the grapes.
The winegrower is fortunate to have the support of friends and family with whom he can share not only the work but also the joy. The Schreibers were delighted when their granddaughter Marie was elected Saxon Wine Princess in November 2011, allowing her to serve as an ambassador for Saxon wine for a year.
As a winemaker, you have the privilege of always having a good bottle of wine in your cellar. And, of course, a glass of wine is the perfect way to enjoy our magnificent view of the Elbe.
Author: Familie Schreiber, Zschepa
Photos: Familie Schreiber, Zschepa; A. Schröter, Riesa