Weingut Karl Schnabel

WEINGUT KARL SCHNABEL - ERMIHOF

Winery, Philosophy and Wines 

Our family winery is located in the south of Austria in the wineregion South Styria (Südsteiermark) on the mountain called Sausal. Since generations the farming on our estate Ermihof has been made on an organic basis. We have never worked conventionally, neither in the vineyard nor in the cellar. Since 1998 the traditional winery has been run by us - Karl and Eva Schnabel -, meanwhile with the support of our three sons. All of our wines have been natural wines from the beginning on; without added sulfur and other additives.

We are working bio-dynamically since 2001. We realize that our daily doing results from our inside "programme" being a real farmer. Therefore we are not directed by contemporary trends but we are indebted to our earth, to the wine as an object of cultural value and to the consumer in terms of producing proper, free of residues and agreeable goods. 

Our wines are cultural goods of original tradition. Through our uncompromising work in the vineyard and cellar, we get lively natural wines without any sulfur and other additives added as well as without any chemical and technical manipulation. The barren and poor Sausal soil, the vintage and the handwriting of the winemaker are reflected in our wines.


Wineregion and Climate

Steepness with grades of up to 70% characterize this hilly landscape. The climate in the Sausal is Illyrian Mediterranean.


Biotope Vineyard

Our lively vineyards in the Sausal are biotopes rich in plant and animal diversity. The biodynamic cultivation of our vineyards supports our being at one with nature. Besides watering places and nesting sites also piles of stone for example have been set up to promote animal biodiversity. The herbs we collect in our vineyards, such as stinging nettle, horsetail and yarrow, are brewed in our kettle with a capacity of 1000 liters and used in order to strengthen and protect the plants. Natural wines require artisanal farming. The grass under the vines is cut with a scythe. Between the rows the grass remains untouched in order to achieve the greatest possible biodiversity in the vineyard. No tractor is used to avoid soil compaction.


Biodynamic circular economy

Our “Celtic cattle”, an ancient Central European cattle breed, are unique in the Styrian wine-growing countryside. The cattle exploit the lush grass that grows in our region and provide quality natural fertilizer for the soil in our vineyards. Our Ermihof is a lively farm organism with a vibrant circular economy.